Fishing Bible Verses | Scriptures about Catching Fish

God’s Word has a lot to say about fishing and it’s important to remember that catching fish was a normal part of life for many people in Old and New Testament. You’ll find metaphors, historical accounts, and interesting facts from this fishing Bible verses.

Matthew 4:19 Jesus calls his followers fishers for people.”

Matthew 4:19
(ESV)  And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
(KJV)  And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
(MSG)  Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.”
(NIV)  “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
(NLT)  Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”

Mark 1:17 Jesus will make the disciples fishers of men.

Mark 1:17
(ESV)  And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”
(KJV)  And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
(MSG)  Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.”
(NIV)  “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
(NLT)  Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”

Matthew 13:47 Jesus compares God’s work to that of a fisherman.

Matthew 13:47
(ESV)  “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind.
(KJV)  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
(MSG)  “Or, God’s kingdom is like a fishnet cast into the sea, catching all kinds of fish.
(NIV)  “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.
(NLT)  “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind.

John 21:3-13 Jesus’ gives Peter another miraculous catch of 153 fish to prove his divine identity after the resurrection.

Matthew 13:47
(ESV)  “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind.
(KJV)  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
(MSG)  “Or, God’s kingdom is like a fishnet cast into the sea, catching all kinds of fish.
(NIV)  “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.
(NLT)  “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind.

John 21:4
(ESV)  Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.
(KJV)  But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
(MSG)  When the sun came up, Jesus was standing on the beach, but they didn’t recognize him.
(NIV)  Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
(NLT)  At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was.

John 21:5
(ESV)  Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.”
(KJV)  Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.
(MSG)  Jesus spoke to them: “Good morning! Did you catch anything for breakfast?” They answered, “No.”
(NIV)  He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered.
(NLT)  He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?” “No,” they replied.

John 21:6
(ESV)  He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.
(KJV)  And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.
(MSG)  He said, “Throw the net off the right side of the boat and see what happens.” They did what he said. All of a sudden there were so many fish in it, they weren’t strong enough to pull it in.
(NIV)  He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
(NLT)  Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.

John 21:7
(ESV)  That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.
(KJV)  Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.
(MSG)  Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Master!” When Simon Peter realized that it was the Master, he threw on some clothes, for he was stripped for work, and dove into the sea.
(NIV)  Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.
(NLT)  Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore.

John 21:8
(ESV)  The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.
(KJV)  And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.
(MSG)  The other disciples came in by boat for they weren’t far from land, a hundred yards or so, pulling along the net full of fish.
(NIV)  The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.
(NLT)  The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore.

John 21:9
(ESV)  When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread.
(KJV)  As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.
(MSG)  When they got out of the boat, they saw a fire laid, with fish and bread cooking on it.
(NIV)  When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
(NLT)  When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread.

John 21:10
(ESV)  Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.”
(KJV)  Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.
(MSG)  Jesus said, “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught.”
(NIV)  Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”
(NLT)  “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said.

John 21:11
(ESV)  So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn.
(KJV)  Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.
(MSG)  Simon Peter joined them and pulled the net to shore—153 big fish! And even with all those fish, the net didn’t rip.
(NIV)  So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.
(NLT)  So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn.

John 21:12
(ESV)  Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.
(KJV)  Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
(MSG)  Jesus said, “Breakfast is ready.” Not one of the disciples dared ask, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Master.
(NIV)  Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.
(NLT)  “Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.

John 21:13
(ESV)  Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish.
(KJV)  Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.
(MSG)  Jesus then took the bread and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish.
(NIV)  Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.
(NLT)  Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish.

Jonah 1:17 Jonah and the great fish Bible passage.

Jonah 1:17
(ESV)  And the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
(KJV)  Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
(MSG)  Then GOD assigned a huge fish to swallow Jonah. Jonah was in the fish’s belly three days and nights.
(NIV)  Now the LORD provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
(NLT)  Now the LORD had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights.

Genesis 1:28 God filled the sea with fish.

Genesis 1:28
(ESV)  And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
(KJV)  And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
(MSG)  God blessed them: “Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge! Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.”
(NIV)  God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
(NLT)  Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”

Genesis 9:2 God gives all fish in the sea for humans to harvest.

Genesis 9:2
(ESV)  The fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth and upon every bird of the heavens, upon everything that creeps on the ground and all the fish of the sea. Into your hand they are delivered.
(KJV)  And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered.
(MSG)  Every living creature—birds, animals, fish—will fall under your spell and be afraid of you. You’re responsible for them.
(NIV)  The fear and dread of you will fall on all the beasts of the earth, and on all the birds in the sky, on every creature that moves along the ground, and on all the fish in the sea; they are given into your hands.
(NLT)  All the animals of the earth, all the birds of the sky, all the small animals that scurry along the ground, and all the fish in the sea will look on you with fear and terror. I have placed them in your power.

Luke 5:4-6 The first miraculous catch of fish Jesus gave to Peter.

Luke 5:4
(ESV)  And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
(KJV)  Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
(MSG)  When he finished teaching, he said to Simon, “Push out into deep water and let your nets out for a catch.”
(NIV)  When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
(NLT)  When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”

Luke 5:5
(ESV)  And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”
(KJV)  And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
(MSG)  Simon said, “Master, we’ve been fishing hard all night and haven’t caught even a minnow. But if you say so, I’ll let out the nets.”
(NIV)  Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
(NLT)  “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.”

Luke 5:6
(ESV)  And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking.
(KJV)  And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
(MSG)  It was no sooner said than done—a huge haul of fish, straining the nets past capacity.
(NIV)  When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.
(NLT)  And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear!

Ezekiel 47:9-10 The prophecy about the fish of the great sea.

Ezekiel 47:9
(ESV)  And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish. For this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes.
(KJV)  And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.
(MSG)  Wherever the river flows, life will flourish—great schools of fish—because the river is turning the salt sea into fresh water. Where the river flows, life abounds.
(NIV)  Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live.
(NLT)  There will be swarms of living things wherever the water of this river flows. Fish will abound in the Dead Sea, for its waters will become fresh. Life will flourish wherever this water flows.

Ezekiel 47:10
(ESV)  Fishermen will stand beside the sea. From Engedi to Eneglaim it will be a place for the spreading of nets. Its fish will be of very many kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea.
(KJV)  And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon it from Engedi even unto Eneglaim; they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many.
(MSG)  Fishermen will stand shoulder to shoulder along the shore from En-gedi all the way north to En-eglaim, casting their nets. The sea will teem with fish of all kinds, like the fish of the Great Mediterranean.
(NIV)  Fishermen will stand along the shore; from En Gedi to En Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets. The fish will be of many kinds—like the fish of the Mediterranean Sea.
(NLT)  Fishermen will stand along the shores of the Dead Sea. All the way from En-gedi to En-eglaim, the shores will be covered with nets drying in the sun. Fish of every kind will fill the Dead Sea, just as they fill the Mediterranean.

Matthew 17:24-27 Jesus paid tax with a shekel found while fishing Bible verse.

Matthew 17:24
(ESV)  When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the tax?”
(KJV)  And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
(MSG)  When they arrived at Capernaum, the tax men came to Peter and asked, “Does your teacher pay taxes?”
(NIV)  After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”
(NLT)  On their arrival in Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple tax came to Peter and asked him, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the Temple tax?”

Matthew 17:25
(ESV)  He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?”
(KJV)  He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
(MSG)  Peter said, “Of course.” But as soon as they were in the house, Jesus confronted him. “Simon, what do you think? When a king levies taxes, who pays—his children or his subjects?”
(NIV)  “Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?”
(NLT)  “Yes, he does,” Peter replied. Then he went into the house. But before he had a chance to speak, Jesus asked him, “What do you think, Peter? Do kings tax their own people or the people they have conquered?”

Matthew 17:26
(ESV)  And when he said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free.
(KJV)  Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
(MSG)  He answered, “His subjects.” Jesus said, “Then the children get off free, right?
(NIV)  “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him.
(NLT)  “They tax the people they have conquered,” Peter replied. “Well, then,” Jesus said, “the citizens are free!

Matthew 17:27
(ESV)  However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.”
(KJV)  Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
(MSG)  But so we don’t upset them needlessly, go down to the lake, cast a hook, and pull in the first fish that bites. Open its mouth and you’ll find a coin. Take it and give it to the tax men. It will be enough for both of us.”
(NIV)  “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”
(NLT)  However, we don’t want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us.”

Mark 1:14-20 Jesus’ recruited fishermen for his first disciples.

Mark 1:16
(ESV)  Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.
(KJV)  Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
(MSG)  Passing along the beach of Lake Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew net-fishing. Fishing was their regular work.
(NIV)  As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.
(NLT)  One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living.

Mark 1:17
(ESV)  And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”
(KJV)  And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
(MSG)  Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.”
(NIV)  “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
(NLT)  Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”

Mark 1:18
(ESV)  And immediately they left their nets and followed him.
(KJV)  And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.
(MSG)  They didn’t ask questions. They dropped their nets and followed.
(NIV)  At once they left their nets and followed him.
(NLT)  And they left their nets at once and followed him.

Mark 1:19
(ESV)  And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets.
(KJV)  And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.
(MSG)  A dozen yards or so down the beach, he saw the brothers James and John, Zebedee’s sons. They were in the boat, mending their fishnets.
(NIV)  When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets.
(NLT)  A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee’s sons, James and John, in a boat repairing their nets.

Mark 1:20
(ESV)  And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
(KJV)  And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.
(MSG)  Right off, he made the same offer. Immediately, they left their father Zebedee, the boat, and the hired hands, and followed.
(NIV)  Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
(NLT)  He called them at once, and they also followed him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men.

Genesis 1:26 God gave humankind dominion over the fish of the sea.

Genesis 1:26
(ESV)  Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
(KJV)  And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
(MSG)  God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle, And, yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of Earth.”
(NIV)  Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
(NLT)  Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”

Jeremiah 16:16 Fishers Bible reference

Jeremiah 16:16
(ESV)  “Behold, I am sending for many fishers, declares the LORD, and they shall catch them. And afterward I will send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain and every hill, and out of the clefts of the rocks.
(KJV)  Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the LORD, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.
(MSG)  “Now, watch for what comes next: I’m going to assemble a bunch of fishermen.” GOD’s Decree! “They’ll go fishing for my people and pull them in for judgment. Then I’ll send out a party of hunters, and they’ll hunt them out in all the mountains, hills, and caves.
(NIV)  “But now I will send for many fishermen,” declares the LORD, “and they will catch them. After that I will send for many hunters, and they will hunt them down on every mountain and hill and from the crevices of the rocks.
(NLT)  “But now I am sending for many fishermen who will catch them,” says the LORD. “I am sending for hunters who will hunt them down in the mountains, hills, and caves.

FAQ about Fishing in the Scriptures

More Bible Study Citations about Catching Fish

• https://www.openbible.info/topics/fishing
• https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-Fishing/
• https://reformedwiki.com/verses/fishing/niv
• https://sarata.com/bible/verses/about/fish.html