Fishes: Miracles Connected With: Dressed on the Shore
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The miraculous event of fishes being dressed on the shore is a significant moment in the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the Gospel of John. This event underscores the divine provision and the intimate fellowship between the risen Lord and His disciples.

Biblical Account

The account is found in John 21:1-14. After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. The disciples, led by Peter, had returned to fishing but had caught nothing throughout the night. At dawn, Jesus stood on the shore, though the disciples did not initially recognize Him. He instructed them to cast their net on the right side of the boat, resulting in a miraculous catch of 153 large fish.

John 21:9 states, "When they landed, they saw a charcoal fire there with fish on it, and some bread." This verse highlights the miraculous provision of fish already prepared on the shore, symbolizing Jesus' care and sustenance for His followers. The presence of the fish and bread also echoes the earlier miracle of the feeding of the five thousand, reinforcing Jesus' role as the provider.

Theological Significance

This miracle is rich in theological meaning. It demonstrates Jesus' authority over creation, as He commands the fish of the sea and provides abundantly for His disciples. The act of Jesus preparing a meal for His disciples signifies His continued fellowship and communion with them, even after His resurrection. It serves as a reminder of the intimate relationship between Christ and His followers, where He meets their physical and spiritual needs.

Furthermore, the event is a powerful illustration of the disciples' mission. Just as they were called to be "fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19), the miraculous catch symbolizes the abundant harvest of souls they would gather through their apostolic ministry, empowered by the risen Christ.

Symbolism and Reflection

The scene of Jesus on the shore with fish and bread is a poignant reminder of His resurrection power and His role as the sustainer of life. It invites believers to trust in His provision and to recognize His presence in their daily lives. The charcoal fire, fish, and bread serve as symbols of fellowship, provision, and the new life found in Christ.

In this miracle, the risen Lord reveals Himself as the source of all blessings, calling His disciples—and by extension, all believers—to partake in the spiritual nourishment He offers. The event encourages Christians to rely on Jesus' guidance and to participate in the mission of spreading the Gospel, assured of His presence and provision.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
John 21:9
As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Beach and the Sea
... first miraculous draught of fishes which was connected with their ... same shore, multiply
the loaves and the fishes, He put ... as He had done in the miracles by the ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture st john chaps xv to xxi/the beach and the sea.htm

Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ...
... not observe the [4723] rites of abstinence connected with the ... may we say that other
beasts, fishes, birds, were ... he was fasting, had wrought miracles, no sooner ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii jerome answers the.htm

Some Gospel Truths Opened, According to the Scriptures; Or, the ...
... as mere ceremonies, inconsistent with spiritual worship"lived and dressed with the ...
the Quakers, many of the charges made against them, as connected with the ...
/.../the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/some gospel truths opened according.htm

Resources
How does the geologic timescale fit with the view of a young earth? | GotQuestions.org

What were the key events in the life of Jesus Christ? (Part 2) | GotQuestions.org

In what ways was Moses like Jesus? | GotQuestions.org

Fishes: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Fishes

Fishes of Men Ignorant of Future Events

Fishes of the Visible Church

Fishes of the Whole Population of Egypt

Fishes of Those Ensnared by the Wicked

Fishes used As Food by the Egyptians

Fishes used As Food by the Jews

Fishes: (Bad) of Mere Professors

Fishes: (Good) of Saints

Fishes: Cannot Live Without Water

Fishes: Catching of, a Trade

Fishes: Created by God

Fishes: Different in Flesh from Beasts

Fishes: Distinction Between Clean and Unclean

Fishes: Inhabit: Ponds

Fishes: Inhabit: Rivers

Fishes: Inhabit: Seas

Fishes: Leviathan

Fishes: Made for God's Glory

Fishes: Man Given Dominion Over

Fishes: Man Permitted to Eat

Fishes: Miracles Connected With: Dressed on the Shore

Fishes: Miracles Connected With: Immense Draughts of

Fishes: Miracles Connected With: Multiplying a Few

Fishes: Miracles Connected With: Procuring Tribute Money From

Fishes: Mode of Cooking Alluded To

Fishes: No Likeness of, to be Made for Worship

Fishes: Number and Variety of

Fishes: Sold Near the Fish Gate at Jerusalem

Fishes: Solomon Wrote the History of

Fishes: Taken With: Hooks

Fishes: Taken With: Nets

Fishes: Taken With: Often Suffered for Man's Sin

Fishes: Taken With: Spears

Fishes: The People of Tyre Traded In

Fishes: Whale

Related Terms

Cakes (65 Occurrences)

Fish (66 Occurrences)

Brake (80 Occurrences)

Blessing (357 Occurrences)

Division (135 Occurrences)

Broken (559 Occurrences)

Fowls (61 Occurrences)

Eucharist

Taking (445 Occurrences)

Supper (17 Occurrences)

Vent (8 Occurrences)

Fishing (4 Occurrences)

Thanks (151 Occurrences)

Ray (2 Occurrences)

Barley (35 Occurrences)

Chub (1 Occurrence)

Bethsaida (7 Occurrences)

Andrew (12 Occurrences)

Bread (433 Occurrences)

Fowl (73 Occurrences)

James (40 Occurrences)

Except (236 Occurrences)

Zoology

Deluge (17 Occurrences)

Ship (122 Occurrences)

Noah (55 Occurrences)

Seated (252 Occurrences)

Beasts (241 Occurrences)

Praise (487 Occurrences)

Says (1491 Occurrences)

Lord's (548 Occurrences)

Peter (181 Occurrences)

Crowd (166 Occurrences)

Victuals (32 Occurrences)

Notwithstanding (37 Occurrences)

Unexpectedly (5 Occurrences)

Ordered (264 Occurrences)

Orders (736 Occurrences)

Ordering (31 Occurrences)

Lad (66 Occurrences)

Languish (13 Occurrences)

Languishes (11 Occurrences)

Gape (2 Occurrences)

Wished (31 Occurrences)

Worms (14 Occurrences)

Wing (18 Occurrences)

Inclosed (12 Occurrences)

Fisher's (1 Occurrence)

Fisher (1 Occurrence)

Fillings (1 Occurrence)

Forms (24 Occurrences)

Fragments (17 Occurrences)

Fish-gate (3 Occurrences)

Treacherous (34 Occurrences)

Teemeth (3 Occurrences)

Trapped (10 Occurrences)

Right-hand (3 Occurrences)

Roe (21 Occurrences)

Reptile (3 Occurrences)

Recount (39 Occurrences)

Recline (14 Occurrences)

Reptiles (6 Occurrences)

Exist (24 Occurrences)

Egg (3 Occurrences)

Entice (15 Occurrences)

Edible (2 Occurrences)

Ensnared (10 Occurrences)

Dweller (13 Occurrences)

Draught (8 Occurrences)

Desired (144 Occurrences)

Moveth (18 Occurrences)

Moves (30 Occurrences)

Mourns (13 Occurrences)

Perch (2 Occurrences)

Pelican (5 Occurrences)

Picked (43 Occurrences)

Barley-loaves (2 Occurrences)

Breaking (69 Occurrences)

Brute (4 Occurrences)

Fishes: Man Permitted to Eat
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