Matthew 13:47

Kingdom of heaven. [The Dragnet, Matt. 13:47-50. On parables see pp. 203-207.] See on chs. 3:2; 4:17; 5:3.

A net. Gr. sagene, “a dragnet,” in contrast with the amphiblestron, “a casting net” (see ch. 4:18). The English word “seine” is derived from the Gr. sagene, through the Latin sagena. The sagene was a long, weighted net, the ends of which were carried outward and then brought together in the shape of a large circle. The dragnet represents the gospel, that is, the efforts put forth by fishers of men (see on Luke 5:10) to win others to Christ.

Sea. The only place where such a net would be of use would be in a rather large body of water. The figure is incidental to the meaning of the parable as a whole (see p. 204).

Every kind. All kinds of people are gathered in by the gospel net — men and women of different motives, attitudes, personalities. Jesus was no “respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34), but received all who came to Him. He associated with publicans and sinners, the better to win them for His kingdom (see on Mark 2:16, 17). He was willing to be known as “a friend of publicans and sinners” (see on Matt. 11:19) if thereby they might come to appreciate His heavenly friendship.