Fish and the Sea of Galilee

Revised: 01 Jan 2004

The Sea of Galilee was the scene of most of Jesus’ ministry. Fishermen and sailors were his earliest followers, and it was to them that he first preached, standing on the shore of the lake. As his audience grew, he began to preach from fishing boats. For longer trips Jesus sailed in the boats of fishermen to teach in the towns and villages of the region.

Because of its significance in the life of Jesus, the New Testament contains vignettes, parables and descriptions of the fisherman’s life. But even so, we cannot expect to find detailed professional accounts.

Little is said about fishing in the Hebrew Scriptures. Although the main implements of the fisherman’s craft are named, we find no reference to any particular fisherman nor to any event directly concerned with fishing; what is said is in the form of parables and allegories. Yet it appears that most of the prophets were familiar with the fisherman’s occupation.