What about those 153 fish in John 21

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tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
41,243
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Tennessee
#21
153 is the 17th triangular number in a series of triangular numbers...and 153 is associated with the Vescica Piscis or Mandorla...and is also the some of the first 5 factorials (wikipedia).
:unsure:
Huh? OK. :)
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
36,530
13,098
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#22
.Notice verse 11: Peter, the one who should be worn out having just broken the record in the 100 yard swim
swim?

i am quite sure Peter ran across the water, not taking his eyes off Jesus.
repeat of a prior experience, this time having learned from the first.
why would he put his cloak on to jump in the lake?


anyway we know from the previous chapter ((20:4)) that John can beat him in a footrace ;)
 

ewq1938

Well-known member
Oct 18, 2018
4,809
1,229
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#25
11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three of them; and although there were so many, the net was not torn.

Many have suggested many meanings for the 153 fish, such as species of fish, a name, number of nations, and numerous others. I see the fire representing the judgement seat of Christ, and the bread as the Word of God.
Technically there was more than 153 fish there:

Joh 21:9 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.
Joh 21:10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.
Joh 21:11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.

I think it's interesting there were an unknown number fish already being cooked. Perhaps the fish cooking are symbolic of the disciples and 153 are future disciples the 12 would convert to Christ.

Mat 4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
 

Sipsey

Well-known member
Sep 27, 2018
1,335
640
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#26
swim?

i am quite sure Peter ran across the water, not taking his eyes off Jesus.
repeat of a prior experience, this time having learned from the first.
why would he put his cloak on to jump in the lake?


anyway we know from the previous chapter ((20:4)) that John can beat him in a footrace ;)
The main thing is he covered the 100 yards without sinking, this time.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,167
12,764
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#28
I was distracted when I ran into Charlotte's web a few stalls over. :(
Did you have a chat with Charlotte? She was quite a schemer.;)
 

Mem

Senior Member
Sep 23, 2014
5,686
1,623
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#29
Did you have a chat with Charlotte? She was quite a schemer.;)
Yep, she made sure ol' Wilbur got his pin even tho he was the runt :confused:
 

Mem

Senior Member
Sep 23, 2014
5,686
1,623
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#30
So, after looking through all the (biblically relevant) thoughts offer at wikipedia, I think Augustine of Hippo's (17th triangular number) hypothesis possesses the most credence, "with 17 representing the number of divine grace (7 gifts of the Holy Spirit) and law (10 commandments)," as the fish are caught after the juncture in time after which Jesus had reconciled mercy with justice.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,173
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#31
mY thoughts..they had to count the number of fish because thats just what fisherman do when they make a catch.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,173
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#32
You can count them individually or weigh them I think it was easier for them to just count them.

Especially seeing they were probably large fish, they werent like little sprats or whitebait or anything. Or krill.
 

Sipsey

Well-known member
Sep 27, 2018
1,335
640
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#33
You can count them individually or weigh them I think it was easier for them to just count them.

Especially seeing they were probably large fish, they werent like little sprats or whitebait or anything. Or krill.
I caught my first fish 65 years ago. Most fishermen I know keep an exacting count as to numbers and size, and are good story tellers.😊
 

Edify

Well-known member
Jan 27, 2021
1,277
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#36
I have an answer for this dilemma: 153 fish means 153 fish, period.
Doesn't anyone believe in literal interpretation anymore?
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,173
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#37
I dont know why people seemed so obssesed with hunting whales in the past centuries because yes you could hunt the biggest fish in the ocean (though a whale is techinically not a fish as its a mammal) but thinking of the practicalities of cutting it up or dividing it cos nobody can possibly eat an entire whale by themselves.

I mean why. And why does Japan and Norway still hunt them when thery could just eat other fish of which there are more of. Is it because men are just a bit thick and want the bragging rights of killing the biggest fish?
 

Mem

Senior Member
Sep 23, 2014
5,686
1,623
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#39
I dont know why people seemed so obssesed with hunting whales in the past centuries because yes you could hunt the biggest fish in the ocean (though a whale is techinically not a fish as its a mammal) but thinking of the practicalities of cutting it up or dividing it cos nobody can possibly eat an entire whale by themselves.

I mean why. And why does Japan and Norway still hunt them when thery could just eat other fish of which there are more of. Is it because men are just a bit thick and want the bragging rights of killing the biggest fish?
Maybe it's because they couldn't catch dolphins. They are awfully fast, and really smart.
 

Webers.Home

Well-known member
May 28, 2018
5,135
953
113
Oregon
cfbac.org
#40
.
153 may have been maximum number Peter's net could hold because the fishies weren't
average size. John 21:11 says the fish were "great" which is translated from the Greek
word megas; a common word in the New Testament related to size, i.e. dimensions,
e.g. height, depth, width, length, weight, age, and even political positions.
_