02/21-22/2022 – Gospel of John – Chapter 21 commentary – 2 of 2 – “The Universality of the Church” symbolized by the 153 large fish caught in the net. (see verse 11)
This is fascinating with three suggestions for symbolic interpreation offered up in WIlliam Barclay’s commentary, pages #283 and # 284:
“There is a second great truth symbolized here. In the Fourth Gospel everything is meaningful, and it is therefore hardly possible that John gives the definite number one hundred and fifty-three for the fishes (sic) without meaning something by it. It has been indeed suggested that the fishes were counted simply because the catch had to be shared out between the various partners and the crew of the boast, and that the number was recorded simply because it was so exceptionally large. But when we remember John’s way of putting hidden meanings in his gospel ffor those who have eyes to see, we must thing that there is more to it than that.
Many ingenious suggestions have been made.
(i) Cyril of Alexandria said that the number 153 is made up of three things. First, there is 100; and that represents “the fullness of the Gentiles.” 100, he says , is the fullest number. The shepherd’s full flock is 100 (Matthew 18:12) The seed’s full fertility is 100-fold. So the 100 stands for the fullness of the Gentiles who will be gathered in to Christ. Second, there is the 50; and the 50 stands for the remnant of Israel who will be gathered in. Third, there is the 3; and the 3 stands for the Trinity to whose glory all things are done.
(ii) Augustine has another ingenious explanation. he says that 10 is the number of the Law, for there are ten commandments; 7 is the number of grace, for the gifts of the Spirit are sevenfold.
‘Thus the anointing Spirit art, Who dost thy seenfold gifts impart.’
Now 7+10 makes 17 and 153 is the sum of all of the figures, 1+2+3+4…, up to 17. Thus 153 stands for all those who either by Law or by grace have been moved to come to Jesus Christ.
(iii) The simplest of the explanations is that given by Jerome. He said that in the sea there are 153 different kind of fishes; and that the catch is one which includes every kind of fish; and that therefore the number symbolizes the fact that some day all men of all nations will be gathered together to Jesus Christ.
We may note a furthur point. This great catch of fishes was gathered into the net, and the net held them all and was not broken. The net stands for the Church; and there is room in the Church for all men and all nations. Even if they all come in, she is big enough to hold them all.
Here John is telling us in his own vivid yet subtle way of the universality of the Chruch. There is no kind of exclusiveness in her, no kind of colour bar or selectiveness. The embrace of the Church is as universal as the love of God in Jesus Christ. It will lead us on to the next great reason why this chapter was added to the gospel if we note that it was Peter who drew the net to land (John 21:11).
Whoa! Soli Deo Gloria!
Note: How can we not contrast the “Universality of the Church”, by HIs grace from our global elitist pagan marxist death march led by the Devil and his evil minions. It is as far apart as “east is from west” . Universality includes all of His sheep. The cultural marxist dogma is an evil scheme that includes no one. At it’s core, it is designed to pit man against man, so the Devil and his minions can walk right in. It breeds hate, the antithesis, for God is love! Look at George Soros. He has no god except himself. The BIble says : “What does man gain if he gains the whole world, and loses his soul.” So George is a captive of his father the devil. The devil himself has a date with the lake of fire. The antithesis is unfathomable futility and nothingness for all who follow it! And it is just a breath away…
Once again, an amazing we win in the end paradox: “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.” The devil’s scheme is -0-, total absence of light. God’s kingdom is of infinite value, for it is unfathomable never ending joy amidst the dance of the Triune God! And it is just a breath away! In of itself, we can’t get our head around it. How did I get an invitation?
So , I heard it said that God’s design is like a patchwork quilt. It doesn’t make much sense until you look at the entire finished work in the end. What we did here was zeroed into the minutia, and in a flash, stepped back to just gaze at the majesty of the finished work to come. Let’s strive to cease putting our amazing God into a box. Or worse yet as C.S. Lewis noted in a title of a book: putting God into the “dock”. God forbid.