A dragnet, in biblical terms, refers to a large fishing net that is dragged along the bottom of a body of water to catch fish. This term is used metaphorically in the Bible to illustrate spiritual truths and divine judgment. The concept of a dragnet is primarily found in the New Testament, specifically in the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Biblical References:

1. Matthew 13:47-50 : "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and caught fish of every kind. When it was full, the men pulled it ashore. Then they sat down and sorted the good fish into containers, but threw the bad away. So will it be at the end of the age: The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

In this parable, Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a dragnet, emphasizing the comprehensive and indiscriminate nature of God's kingdom. The dragnet gathers all kinds of fish, symbolizing the gathering of all people at the end of the age. The subsequent sorting of the fish represents the final judgment, where the righteous are separated from the wicked. This parable underscores the inevitability of divine judgment and the ultimate separation of good and evil.

Theological Significance:

The dragnet serves as a powerful metaphor for the inclusivity and finality of God's judgment. It illustrates the idea that all humanity will be gathered before God, and a divine separation will occur based on righteousness. This imagery reinforces the biblical teaching that while God's grace is extended to all, there will be a day of reckoning where each individual's response to that grace will be evaluated.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient world, fishing was a common occupation, especially in regions surrounding the Sea of Galilee. The use of a dragnet was a familiar practice to Jesus' audience, making the parable relatable and understandable. Fishermen would work together to drag the net through the water, capturing a diverse array of fish. This method of fishing required cooperation and discernment, as the catch needed to be sorted to retain only the valuable fish.

Application for Believers:

The parable of the dragnet serves as a reminder for believers to live righteously and be prepared for the final judgment. It encourages self-examination and a commitment to living according to God's standards. The imagery of the dragnet also calls Christians to participate in the mission of the church, spreading the gospel to all people, knowing that God desires all to come to repentance.

Conclusion:

While the parable of the dragnet is a sobering reminder of the reality of judgment, it also offers hope. It assures believers of God's ultimate justice and the promise of eternal life for those who are found righteous in Christ. The dragnet, as a symbol, invites reflection on one's spiritual state and the urgency of sharing the message of salvation with others.(n.) A systematic plan for apprehending a criminal, or a net for trawling along the bottom of a body of water, as in fishing.4522. sagene -- a dragnet
... a dragnet. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: sagene Phonetic Spelling:
(sag-ay'-nay) Short Definition: a fishing-net Definition: a fishing-net. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4522.htm - 6k

Jesus Calls Four Fishermen to Follow Him.
... The dictua was a casting-net; the sagene, a seine or dragnet; and the amphiblestron
was a drawnet, a circular bell-shaped affair, which was thrown upon the ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxx jesus calls four fishermen.htm

The Value of this Doctrine
... But grace comes in like a dragnet and draws out from a lost humanity a people for
God's name, to be throughout all eternity the monuments of His inscrutable ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter twelve the value of.htm

The Crowned Christ Reigning
... There will be some yielding only a feigned allegiance to the King.[179] That dragnet
of the parable has gathered some fish that didn't want to be caught, and ...
/.../vii the crowned christ reigning.htm

1 Cor. viii. 1
... Since even Peter girded himself, and handled the dragnet, and went a fishing
after the Resurrection of the Lord. And why say I Peter? ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xx 1 cor viii.htm

Dragnet (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Dragnet (4 Occurrences). ... He catches them in his net, and
gathers them in his dragnet. Therefore he rejoices and is glad. (WEB NIV). ...
/d/dragnet.htm - 7k

Fish (66 Occurrences)
... In the New Testament, however, sagene (Matthew 13:47), is clearly the dragnet,
and amphiblestron (Matthew 4:18), is clearly the casting net. ...
/f/fish.htm - 38k

Drag (19 Occurrences)
... 7. (vi) To serve as a clog or hindrance; to hold back. 8. (vi) To fish with a dragnet. ...
He catches them in his net, and gathers them in his dragnet. ...
/d/drag.htm - 14k

Seine (3 Occurrences)
... Habakkuk 1:15 He takes up all of them with the hook. He catches them in his net,
and gathers them in his dragnet. Therefore he rejoices and is glad. (See RSV). ...
/s/seine.htm - 7k

Dragging (6 Occurrences)

/d/dragging.htm - 8k

Catch (46 Occurrences)
... (WEB NIV). Habakkuk 1:15 He takes up all of them with the hook. He catches them
in his net, and gathers them in his dragnet. Therefore he rejoices and is glad. ...
/c/catch.htm - 22k

Net (91 Occurrences)
... Matthew 13:47 "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a dragnet, that was cast into
the sea, and gathered some fish of every kind, (Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE ...
/n/net.htm - 36k

Kind (290 Occurrences)
... Matthew 13:47 "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a dragnet, that was cast into
the sea, and gathered some fish of every kind, (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS ...
/k/kind.htm - 35k

Luxurious (9 Occurrences)
... Habakkuk 1:16 Therefore he sacrifices to his net, and burns incense to his dragnet,
because by them his life is luxurious, and his food is good. (WEB). ...
/l/luxurious.htm - 9k

Luxury (8 Occurrences)
... Habakkuk 1:16 Therefore he sacrifices to his net, and burns incense to his dragnet,
because by them his life is luxurious, and his food is good. (See RSV NIV). ...
/l/luxury.htm - 9k

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Dragnet? | GotQuestions.org

How many parables are in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Questions about Matthew | GotQuestions.org

Dragnet: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus