1350. diktuon
Lexical Summary
diktuon: Net

Original Word: δίκτυον
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: diktuon
Pronunciation: DEEK-too-on
Phonetic Spelling: (dik'-too-on)
KJV: net
NASB: nets, net
Word Origin: [probably from a primary verb diko "to cast"]

1. a seine (for fishing)

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 Origin
from dikein (to cast)
Definition
a net
NASB Translation
net (4), nets (8), nets nets (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 1350: δίκτυον

δίκτυον, 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.) [SYNONYMS: δίκτυον, ἀμφίβληστρον, σαγήνη: δίκτυον seems to be the general name for nets of all kinds; whereas ἀμφίβληστρον and σαγήνη designate specifically nets for fishing: — the former a casting-net, generally pear-shaped; the latter a seine or drag-net. Cf. Trench, § lxiv.; B. D. under the word .]

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.
Luke 5:6: “They caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to tear.” The torn nets expose human inadequacy when divine abundance arrives. Peter’s reaction (“Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” Luke 5:8) highlights conviction of sin and recognition of Jesus’ lordship.
John 21:11: “Even with so many fish, the net was not torn.” After the resurrection the net remains intact, a subtle testimony that the risen Christ’s provision supersedes earlier limitations, sustaining the coming harvest of souls.

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.
2. Cooperation: Net-fishing required coordinated effort; likewise effective evangelism flourishes in unity (see Philippians 1:27).
3. Dependence: Both miraculous catches reveal that success rests on obedience to Christ’s word, not on professional skill alone.

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 díktyon
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 4:20 N-ANP
GRK: 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
GRK: καταρτίζοντας τὰ δίκτυα αὐτῶν καὶ
NAS: mending their nets; and He called
KJV: mending their nets; and he called
INT: mending the nets of them and

Mark 1:18 N-ANP
GRK: ἀφέντες τὰ δίκτυα ἠκολούθησαν αὐτῷ
NAS: they left their nets and followed
KJV: their nets, and followed
INT: having left the nets they followed him

Mark 1:19 N-ANP
GRK: καταρτίζοντας τὰ δίκτυα
NAS: in the boat mending the nets.
KJV: the ship mending their nets.
INT: mending the nets

Luke 5:2 N-ANP
GRK: ἔπλυνον τὰ δίκτυα
NAS: out of them and were washing their nets.
KJV: them, and were washing [their] nets.
INT: washed the nets

Luke 5:4 N-ANP
GRK: χαλάσατε τὰ δίκτυα ὑμῶν εἰς
NAS: and let down your nets for a catch.
KJV: let down your nets for a draught.
INT: let down the nets of you for

Luke 5:5 N-ANP
GRK: χαλάσω τὰ δίκτυα
NAS: [and] let down the nets.
KJV: word I will let down the net.
INT: I will let down the net

Luke 5:6 N-NNP
GRK: δὲ τὰ δίκτυα αὐτῶν
NAS: of fish, and their nets [began] to break;
KJV: and their net brake.
INT: moreover the nets of them

John 21:6 N-ANS
GRK: πλοίου τὸ δίκτυον καὶ εὑρήσετε
NAS: to them, Cast the net on the right-hand
KJV: unto them, Cast the net on the right
INT: boat the net and you will find

John 21:8 N-ANS
GRK: σύροντες τὸ δίκτυον τῶν ἰχθύων
NAS: away, dragging the net [full] of fish.
KJV: cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.
INT: dragging the net with the fish

John 21:11 N-ANS
GRK: εἵλκυσεν τὸ δίκτυον εἰς τὴν
NAS: went up and drew the net to land, full
KJV: and drew the net to land
INT: drew the net to the

John 21:11 N-NNS
GRK: ἐσχίσθη τὸ δίκτυον
NAS: and although there were so many, the net was not torn.
KJV: yet was not the net broken.
INT: was torn the net

Strong's Greek 1350
12 Occurrences


δίκτυα — 8 Occ.
δίκτυον — 4 Occ.

1349
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