Lexical Summary sagéné: Dragnet Original Word: σαγήνη Strong's Exhaustive Concordance net. From a derivative of satto (to equip) meaning furniture, especially a pack-saddle (which in the East is merely a bag of netted rope); a "seine" for fishing -- net. HELPS Word-studies 4522 sagḗnē – a weighted-net, drawn in as a drag-net. 4522 /sagḗnē ("drag-net") is a much larger net than the usual "casting net" (293 /amphíblēstron). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain origin Definition a dragnet NASB Translation dragnet (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4522: σαγήνησαγήνη, σαγηνης, ἡ (σάσσω to load, fill), a large fishing-net, a drag-net (Vulg.sagena (cf. English seine)), used in catching fish that swim in shoals (cf. B. D., under the word Topical Lexicon Biblical ContextThe single New Testament occurrence of the word appears in the parable of the dragnet: “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and caught fish of every kind” (Matthew 13:47). The parable stands near the climax of the seven kingdom parables in Matthew 13, portraying the comprehensive reach of the kingdom’s call and the certainty of ultimate separation between the righteous and the wicked at the end of the age (Matthew 13:48-50). Historical Background of Ancient Fishing Nets In first-century Galilee large seines were hauled by teams of fishermen from boats or from the shoreline. Weighted along the bottom and floated along the top, these nets formed a sweeping wall that moved slowly through the water, gathering everything in its path. Because they were not selective, all kinds of fish—clean and unclean, edible and inedible—were indiscriminately enclosed. Once drawn to shore, the contents were sorted: acceptable specimens were kept, while the rest were discarded. This well-known scene provided Jesus with an everyday illustration that listeners by the Sea of Galilee could readily visualize. Prophetic Echoes and Old Testament Parallels The imagery of a sweeping net had already served as a prophetic symbol of divine judgment. The Septuagint uses the same term in Habakkuk 1:15-17 to depict the Chaldeans dragging nations to destruction, and Ezekiel 32:2-3 employs net language for God’s capture of Pharaoh. Against this backdrop, Jesus’ parable transforms a picture of temporal judgment into an eschatological warning: the final gathering will be universal, leaving no one outside the search of the kingdom’s dragnet. Theological Themes 1. Universality of the Gospel call: The net encompasses “fish of every kind,” anticipating the Great Commission’s mandate to make disciples of “all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Ministry Implications The parable encourages comprehensive evangelism. None are to be excluded from the invitation, for the net must pass through the whole sea. At the same time it warns against assuming that present inclusion among the visible people of God guarantees final acceptance; genuine repentance and faith evidenced by righteous living remain essential. Pastors and teachers may draw upon this text to balance zeal for outreach with sober reminders of coming judgment (Acts 17:31; 2 Corinthians 5:11). Patristic and Later Church Reflection Early commentators such as Chrysostom saw the net as the preaching of the Apostles, the sea as the world, and the shore as the consummation of the age. Augustine stressed the mixed nature of the Church throughout history, insisting that the final sorting belongs to God alone. The Reformers continued this line, urging the visible church to proclaim the Word widely while trusting Christ to separate hypocrisy from true faith on the last day. Conclusion Strong’s Greek 4522 underscores the breadth of God’s redemptive sweep and the gravity of His final reckoning. The parable of the dragnet calls every generation of believers to labor faithfully in gathering, to live expectantly in holiness, and to rest confidently in the promise that divine justice will at last be perfectly executed. Forms and Transliterations σαγήναι σαγήναις σαγήνας σαγηνη σαγήνη σαγήνῃ σαγηνών σάγματα σαδδαϊ sagene sagēnē sagḗnei sagḗnēiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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