Lexical Summary diktuon: Net Original Word: δίκτυον Strong's Exhaustive Concordance net. Probably from a primary verb diko (to cast); a seine (for fishing) -- net. HELPS Word-studies 1350 díktyon – the generic term for any type of fishing net (as in Mt 4:20,21; Mk 1:18,19; Lk 5:2,4-6; Jn 21:6,8,11). [1350 (díktyon) was also used for hunting nets, especially to catch birds.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom dikein (to cast) Definition a net NASB Translation net (4), nets (8), nets nets (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1350: δίκτυονδίκτυον, δικτύου, τό (perhaps from ΔΙΚΑΙΝ to cast, cf. Etym. Magn. col. 275, 21), a net: Matthew 4:20; Mark 1:18; Luke 5:2, 4-6; John 21:6, 8, 11. (Homer and following.) Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 1350 refers to the physical fishing net so familiar to the Sea of Galilee region. While ordinary in appearance, each New Testament occurrence weaves the object into Gospel theology—discipleship, revelation of Christ’s power, and the worldwide mission of the Church. Occurrences in the Gospel Narrative Matthew 4:20; Matthew 4:21; Mark 1:18; Mark 1:19; Luke 5:2; Luke 5:4-6; John 21:6; John 21:8; John 21:11 (twice). Call of the First Disciples The opening cluster of texts (Matthew 4 and Mark 1) depicts Peter, Andrew, James, and John abandoning their nets “at once.” Their tools of livelihood become silent witnesses to a greater vocation: “Come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). Abandonment of nets signals immediate obedience, a decisive break with former security, and a paradigm for all who would follow Christ. Miraculous Catches and Revelatory Moments Luke 5:4-6 and John 21:6-11 anchor two distinct miraculous catches—one at the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, the other after His resurrection. Symbolism of Evangelistic Mission Fishermen casting nets portray the evangelistic sweep of the gospel. The inclusive nature of a net parallels the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19), gathering every nation without discrimination. That the disciples’ very nets become instruments for Jesus’ object lessons underscores the sanctification of ordinary vocations for kingdom purposes. Historical Background of First-Century Fishing Nets Galilean nets were typically knotted from flax or linen cords, weighted with lead sinkers and topped with cork floats. They demanded constant maintenance: washing (Luke 5:2) to prevent rot, and mending (Matthew 4:21; Mark 1:19) to restore torn mesh. Such tasks illustrate perseverance in ministry—cleansing from moral defilement and continual repair of relationships within the body of Christ. Pastoral and Discipleship Applications 1. Readiness: Clean, mended nets remind believers to keep lives prepared for the Master’s call. Intercanonical Connections Old Testament writers employ net imagery for judgment and deliverance (Psalm 25:15; Ezekiel 12:13). The Gospels recast the metaphor positively, yet the final separation of fish (Matthew 13:47-50) shows that the eschatological sorting still belongs to God. Eschatological Resonance John’s intact net foreshadows the secure ingathering of the elect. No believer drawn by the resurrected Christ will be lost (John 6:39). The net withstands strain, echoing Jesus’ promise that He will build His Church and “the gates of Hades will not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). Summary Strong’s 1350, though an everyday implement, becomes in the Gospels a theological lens: calling, mission, divine provision, and ultimate assurance converge around the image of the net. The disciples who left their nets were equipped to cast a far greater one, gathering multitudes into the saving embrace of the risen Lord, whose word still directs where and how the Church must fish today. Forms and Transliterations δεδικτυωμένοι δικτυα δίκτυα δικτύοις δικτυον δικτυόν δικτύον δίκτυον δίκτυόν δικτύου δικτύω δικτύων δικτυωταί δικτυωτής δικτυωτού δικτυωτώ diktua diktuon diktya díktya diktyon díktyonLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 4:20 N-ANPGRK: ἀφέντες τὰ δίκτυα ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ NAS: they left their nets and followed KJV: left [their] nets, and followed INT: having left the nets they followed him Matthew 4:21 N-ANP Mark 1:18 N-ANP Mark 1:19 N-ANP Luke 5:2 N-ANP Luke 5:4 N-ANP Luke 5:5 N-ANP Luke 5:6 N-NNP John 21:6 N-ANS John 21:8 N-ANS John 21:11 N-ANS John 21:11 N-NNS Strong's Greek 1350 |