Fishing serves as a metaphor for evangelism and discipleship in the Bible, as Jesus called His disciples to be fishers of men. In the Bible, we find stories and teachings that illustrate the principles and practices of effective fishing for souls. Join us as we reflect on verses that highlight the significance of fishing, inspiring us to share the gospel boldly, cast our nets wide, and make disciples of all nations for the glory of God.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Finding Love
Bible Verses About Fishing
Matthew 4:19 – Follow Jesus and He will make you fishers of men
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
Luke 5:4 – Trusting Jesus leads to abundant blessings
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
John 21:6 – Listening to Jesus yields fruitful results
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.
Jeremiah 16:16 – God will seek and find His lost people
“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.
Matthew 13:47 – The Kingdom of Heaven is like fishing
“Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.”
Mark 1:17 – Jesus calls us to follow Him and be transformed
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
Acts 4:13 – The boldness of the apostles amazed others
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
John 21:3 – Even in disappointment, Jesus provides
“I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Psalm 107:23-24 – Those who go down to the sea in ships witness God’s works
Some went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters. They saw the works of the Lord, his wonderful deeds in the deep.
Ecclesiastes 9:12 – Life is unpredictable like fish caught in a trap
Moreover, no one knows when their hour will come: As fish are caught in a cruel net, or birds are taken in a snare, so people are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly upon them.
Amos 4:2 – God’s judgment is as sure as fish being caught on hooks
The Sovereign Lord has sworn by his holiness: “The time will surely come when you will be taken away with hooks, the last of you with fishhooks.
Ezekiel 47:10 – The river of life will be full of fish
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.
Zephaniah 1:10 – The sound of fishermen will signify coming judgment
“On that day,” declares the Lord, “a cry will go up from the Fish Gate, wailing from the New Quarter, and a loud crash from the hills.”
Numbers 11:5 – The Israelites longed for the fish they ate in Egypt
We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic.
Jonah 1:17 – God provided a great fish to save Jonah
Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Jonah 2:1 – Jonah prayed from inside the fish
From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God.
Job 12:7-8 – Nature teaches about knowledge of God
But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you.
Habakkuk 1:14 – People are like fish in the sea
You have made people like the fish in the sea, like the sea creatures that have no ruler.
Matthew 17:27 – Jesus can provide in miraculous ways
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.
Isaiah 50:2 – God’s power can dry up the sea
When I came, why was there no one? When I called, why was there no one to answer? Was my arm too short to deliver you? Do I lack the strength to rescue you? By a mere rebuke I dry up the sea, I turn rivers into a desert; their fish rot for lack of water and die of thirst.
Matthew 14:17 – Jesus can multiply what we have
“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
Matthew 12:40 – The sign of Jonah is significant
For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
John 21:11 – The net was full of fish, yet it did not tear
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.
Lamentations 4:3 – The importance of compassion
Even jackals offer their breasts to nurse their young, but my people have become heartless like ostriches in the desert.
Ezekiel 47:9 – The river flowing from the temple brings life
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.
Genesis 1:21 – God’s creation of fish and other sea creatures
So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
Psalm 104:25 – A vast number of creatures live in the sea
There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number—living things both large and small.
Isaiah 19:8 – The economic importance of fishing
The fishermen will groan and lament, all who cast hooks into the Nile; those who throw nets on the water will pine away.
Ezekiel 26:5 – Fishing in the ruins
Out in the sea she will become a place to spread fishing nets, for I have spoken, declares the Sovereign Lord. She will become plunder for the nations.
Micah 7:19 – God’s compassion and forgiveness
You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.
Mark 6:41 – Jesus feeding the multitude with fish
Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all.
2 Peter 2:22 – Returning to foolish ways after learning the truth
Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.”
John 21:10 – Jesus acknowledges what we bring to the table
Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”
Mark 6:43 – God’s provision is more than enough
And the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish.
Luke 5:6 – Obedience to Jesus results in an overwhelming catch
When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.
Matthew 15:34 – Jesus multiplies our offerings
“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.”
John 21:9 – Breakfast with Jesus
When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
Luke 9:16 – Jesus blesses and multiplies the loaves and fish
Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people.
Luke 24:42 – Jesus ate fish with His disciples after His resurrection
They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.
Romans 10:14 – The importance of preaching the Gospel
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?