Lexical Summary opsarion: Fish, small fish Original Word: ὀψάριον Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fish. Neuter of a presumed derivative of the base of optos; a relish to other food (as if cooked sauce), i.e. (specially), fish (presumably salted and dried as a condiment) -- fish. see GREEK optos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origindim. of opson (cooked food) Definition fish NASB Translation fish (5). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3795: ὀψάριονὀψάριον, ὀψαριου, τό (diminutive from ὄψον (cf. Curtius, § 630) i. e. whatever is eaten with bread, especially food boiled or roasted; hence, specifically), fish: John 6:9, 11; John 21:9f, 13. (Comicus Philemon ( Topical Lexicon Occurrence in the Johannine Narrative John alone preserves every New Testament use of ὀψάριον. In the feeding of the five thousand, Andrew identifies “a boy with five barley loaves and two small fish” (John 6:9). After Jesus gives thanks, “He did the same with the fish” (John 6:11), and the multitude eats “as much as they wanted.” The word reappears in the resurrection account beside the Sea of Tiberias: the disciples see “a charcoal fire there with fish on it, and some bread” (John 21:9); Jesus commands, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught” (John 21:10); and finally, “Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and He did the same with the fish” (John 21:13). Thus, every occurrence situates ὀψάριον within a meal that the risen or pre-resurrection Christ hosts or supplies. Historical and Cultural Setting Fish were an everyday staple around Galilee, easily preserved by salting or drying and commonly eaten with bread. The specific term ὀψάριον points to the small, relish-sized fish frequently exported from Magdala and other lakeside towns. Coupling barley loaves—the bread of the humble—with these inexpensive fish accentuates the ordinariness of the provisions Christ multiplies and serves. Divine Provision and the Messianic Banquet Both scenes showcase Jesus as the true Provider. In John 6, the modest lunch becomes a feast for thousands, prefiguring Jesus’ later discourse that He is “the bread of life.” The fish, though minor in quantity, underline the theme of super-abundance: fragments fill twelve baskets, a number evoking Israel’s tribes and hinting at sufficiency for the covenant people. In John 21, the risen Lord again supplies what the disciples lack, signaling that His care did not end at the cross. These meals anticipate the eschatological banquet promised in Scripture, assuring believers that the same Lord who fed crowds and comrades will ultimately satisfy every hunger. Resurrection Restoration and Commissioning The breakfast on the beach frames Peter’s restoration and the disciples’ renewed mission. Before any words of correction, Jesus first nourishes His followers. Ministry flows from Christ’s prior provision; service is sustained only when disciples receive what He graciously gives. The presence of both bread and fish mirrors the earlier miracle, linking Peter’s present calling to the memory of past grace. Symbolic Resonance in Early Christian Memory From the earliest centuries, fish imagery (ΙΧΘΥΣ) became a confession of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior. While the acronym emerges from the Greek word for “fish” (ἰχθύς), the modest ὀψάριον episodes likely reinforced the symbol’s power: the Lord who turned simple fish into a sign of the kingdom still feeds His church. Catacomb art often pairs fish with baskets and loaves, keeping alive the memory of John 6 and John 21 as prototypes of Eucharistic fellowship. Pastoral and Missional Implications 1. Reliance on Christ’s sufficiency: Ministries must begin with what is placed into Jesus’ hands, however small. Conclusion Across the five occurrences of ὀψάριον, Scripture portrays more than fish on a plate; it reveals the generous heart of the Savior who satisfies physical hunger while pointing to the greater nourishment found in Himself. Forms and Transliterations οψαρια οψάρια ὀψάρια οψαριον οψάριον ὀψάριον οψαριων οψαρίων ὀψαρίων opsaria opsária opsarion opsariōn opsaríon opsaríōn opsárionLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance John 6:9 N-ANPGRK: καὶ δύο ὀψάρια ἀλλὰ ταῦτα NAS: and two fish, but what KJV: and two small fishes: but what INT: and two small fish but these John 6:11 N-GNP John 21:9 N-ANS John 21:10 N-GNP John 21:13 N-ANS Strong's Greek 3795 |
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