Fishing-boats in biblical times were essential to the livelihood of many who lived around the Sea of Galilee and other bodies of water in the region. These boats are frequently mentioned in the New Testament, particularly in the Gospels, as they were integral to the lives of several of Jesus' disciples who were fishermen by trade.

Design and Construction:
Fishing-boats of the first century were typically constructed from wood and designed to be sturdy enough to withstand the often turbulent waters of the Sea of Galilee. Archaeological findings, such as the "Jesus Boat" discovered in 1986, provide insight into their construction. These boats were approximately 26 feet long, 7 feet wide, and 4 feet deep, capable of carrying a crew and a significant catch of fish. They were equipped with a mast and sail, as well as oars for navigation.

Biblical References:
Fishing-boats are prominently featured in several key events in the Gospels. In Matthew 4:18-22 , Jesus calls His first disciples, Simon Peter and Andrew, who were casting a net into the sea, and James and John, who were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. This passage highlights the centrality of fishing-boats to the disciples' daily lives and their immediate response to Jesus' call.

In Mark 4:35-41 , Jesus calms a storm while He and His disciples are in a boat on the Sea of Galilee. This event demonstrates Jesus' authority over nature and His divine power, as He rebukes the wind and commands the sea to be still, leaving the disciples in awe.

Another significant account involving a fishing-boat is found in Luke 5:1-11 , where Jesus instructs Simon Peter to let down his nets for a catch after a fruitless night of fishing. The resulting miraculous catch of fish leads Peter to recognize Jesus' divine authority, prompting him and his partners, James and John, to leave everything and follow Him.

Symbolism and Significance:
Fishing-boats in the New Testament often symbolize the mission and ministry of Jesus and His disciples. The act of fishing itself is used metaphorically by Jesus when He tells Peter and Andrew, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19). This metaphor underscores the call to evangelism and the gathering of believers into the kingdom of God.

The use of fishing-boats also reflects the humble and ordinary backgrounds of Jesus' first followers, emphasizing that God's call extends to all, regardless of social status or occupation. The transformation of these fishermen into apostles highlights the transformative power of Christ's call and the spread of the Gospel message.

Cultural Context:
In the cultural context of the New Testament, fishing was a common occupation around the Sea of Galilee, providing sustenance and economic stability for many families. The presence of fishing-boats in the Gospels serves as a backdrop for Jesus' ministry, illustrating His engagement with everyday life and His ability to relate to the common people of His time.

Overall, fishing-boats in the Bible are more than mere vessels; they are integral to the narrative of Jesus' ministry and the calling of His disciples, serving as a powerful symbol of faith, obedience, and the mission to spread the Gospel.

The Call by the Sea
... Day was breaking over the Sea of Galilee. The disciples, weary with a night of
fruitless toil, were still in their fishing boats on the lake. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 25 the call by.htm

April the Tenth Resurrection-Light
... Before there was a grey streak in the sky everything was held in grimmest
gloom. The toil of the two fishing-boats seemed very sombre. ...
/.../april the tenth resurrection-light.htm

Among the Fishermen.
... They did not wait to sell the great draught of fishes that they had brought to land;
and they did not wait to sell their fishing boats and nets, but they ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xiv among the fishermen.htm

By the Sea once More
... even to breaking. Then Jesus had called them to leave their fishing boats,
and had promised to make them fishers of men. It was ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 85 by the sea.htm

"Peace, be Still"
... There were other fishing boats lying near the shore, and these were quickly crowded
with people who followed Jesus, eager still to see and hear Him. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 35 peace be still.htm

A Water Haul.
... Peter was down there, just a short distance off, with his partners and crew
in their fishing boats, cleaning up after the night's haul. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/a water haul.htm

Appearance at Sea of Galilee.
... become of Jesus, without any plan for preserving His name among men, open to any
impulse or influence, unable to resist the smell of the fishing boats and the ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/xxiv appearance at sea of.htm

The Story of the Stranger at the Well
... On the shore were lying two fishing boats, one of which belonged to Simon and
Andrew, the other to James and John and their father Zebedee. ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of the stranger.htm

The Grave of the Dead John and the Grave of the Living Jesus
... gone; and if they had acted according to the ordinary laws of human conduct, they
would have said to themselves, Let us go back to our fishing-boats and our tax ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the grave of the dead.htm

At Capernaum
... The shores of the lake, and the hills that at a little distance encircle it, were
dotted with towns and villages. The lake was covered with fishing boats. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 26 at capernaum.htm

Fishing-boats (1 Occurrence)
Fishing-boats. Fishing-boat, Fishing-boats. Fishing-lines .
Multi-Version Concordance Fishing-boats (1 Occurrence). ...
/f/fishing-boats.htm - 6k

Fishing-lines (1 Occurrence)
Fishing-lines. Fishing-boats, Fishing-lines. Fishing-net . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (BBE). Fishing-boats, Fishing-lines. Fishing-net . Reference Bible
/f/fishing-lines.htm - 6k

Fishing-boat (1 Occurrence)
Fishing-boat. Fishing, Fishing-boat. Fishing-boats . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(WEY). Fishing, Fishing-boat. Fishing-boats . Reference Bible.
/f/fishing-boat.htm - 6k

Boats (11 Occurrences)
... Of internal navigation, beyond the fishing-boats on the Sea of Galilee which belong
exclusively to the New Testament, the ferry boat on the Jordan (2 Samuel 19 ...
/b/boats.htm - 40k

Drawn (131 Occurrences)
... (DBY YLT). Luke 5:2 He, however, saw two fishing-boats drawn up on the beach (for
the men had gone away from them and were washing the nets) (WEY). ...
/d/drawn.htm - 37k

Beach (7 Occurrences)
... (WEB WEY ASV YLT NAS). Luke 5:2 He, however, saw two fishing-boats drawn up on the
beach (for the men had gone away from them and were washing the nets) (WEY). ...
/b/beach.htm - 9k

Galilee (73 Occurrences)
... The lake, too, was dotted with dark fishing-boats and spangled with white sails.
Now a mournful, solitary silence reigns over sea and shore. ...
/g/galilee.htm - 67k

Ships (46 Occurrences)
... Of internal navigation, beyond the fishing-boats on the Sea of Galilee which belong
exclusively to the New Testament, the ferry boat on the Jordan (2 Samuel 19 ...
/s/ships.htm - 53k

However (411 Occurrences)
... Luke 5:2 He, however, saw two fishing-boats drawn up on the beach (for the
men had gone away from them and were washing the nets) (WEY). ...
/h/however.htm - 33k

What does it mean to be “fishers of men”? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of the Sea of Galilee in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What can we learn from what the Bible says about James the apostle? | GotQuestions.org

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