Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of great fishes, one hundred and fifty-three. And although there were so many, the net was not broken.

“(Tract. cxxii) In the draught before, the number of the fishes is not mentioned, as if in fulfilment of the prophecy in the Psalm, If I should declare them, and speak of them, they should be more than I am able to express; (Ps. 41:7) but here there is a certain number mentioned, which we must explain. The number which signifies the law is ten, from the ten Commandments. But when to the law is joined grace, to the letter spirit, the number seven is brought in, that being the number which represents the Holy Spirit, to Whom sanctification properly belongs. For sanctification was first heard of in the law, with respect to the seventh day; and Isaiah praises the Holy Spirit for His sevenfold work and office. The seven of the Spirit added to the ten of the law make seventeen; and the numbers from one up to seventeen when added together, make a hundred and fifty-three.”

“To Peter was the holy Church committed; to him is it specially said, Feed My sheep. That then which is afterwards declared by word, is now signified by act. He it is who draws the fishes to the firm shore, because he it was who pointed out the stability of the eternal country to the faithful. This he did by word of mouth, by epistles; this he does daily by signs and miracles. After saying that the net was full of great fishes, the number follows: Full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three.”

“To shew that it was no vision, He bade them take of the fish they had caught. Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. Another miracle follows; viz. that the net was not broken by the number of fish: 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.”

“Having set down the induction by which Christ was to be recognized — namely the great number of fish caught, granted to them by Christ — here the order of recognition is set down consequently; and first he sets down how John conducted himself in this; second, how Peter conducted himself; third, how the other disciples conducted themselves. Now John, as being keen-sighted in knowing, at once recognized Christ; and therefore he said to Peter, whom he loved before the rest, and also because he was foremost among the others, "It is the Lord," moved to this by the catch of fish. Psalm 88:10 (89:9): "Thou rulest the power of the sea"; and elsewhere, Psalm 134:6 (135:6): "Whatsoever the Lord pleased, he hath done in heaven, in earth, in the sea, and in all the deeps." Now he said "it is the Lord" because they were accustomed to call him by that name. Above, John 13:13: "You call me Master and Lord." Peter, however, is presented as fervent in following after: whose fervor appears, first, as to readiness, whence it says: "Simon Peter, when he heard that it was the Lord, girt himself (for he was naked) and cast himself into the sea. But the other disciples came in the ship." Simon Peter, when he heard, did not delay, but at once prepared himself to go. Ecclesiasticus 5:8: "Delay not to be converted to the Lord, and defer it not from day to day." Second, as to his reverence toward Christ: because out of shame he did not wish to approach naked, but girt himself with his coat — "for he was naked" — both on account of the heat of the region and on account of readiness for the work. And by this it is given to be understood that those coming to Christ must strip off the old man and put on the new, who according to God is created in faith. Apocalypse 3:5: "He that shall overcome, shall thus be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life." Third, as to his security: because out of exceeding love he did not wish to go with the ship, since he would be delayed thereby, but "cast himself into the sea," in order to reach Christ more quickly. Mystically, however, by the sea is signified the tribulation of the present age. Whence those who desire to come to Christ cast themselves into the sea; they do not flee the tribulations of this world. Acts 14:21 (22): "Through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God"; Ecclesiasticus 2:1: "Son, when thou comest to the service of God, stand in justice and fear, and prepare thy soul for temptation." Peter, however, cast himself into the sea, and yet arrived unharmed at Christ: because amid tribulations the servant of Christ escapes secure and unharmed. Wisdom 14:3: "Thou hast given a way in the sea, and a most sure path among the waves." And, as Chrysostom says, here the condition of John and of Peter is set down most fittingly: because John was loftier in understanding, Peter more fervent in affection. The other disciples, however, sailed. Whence first he sets down what they did — that "they came in the ship" — because they were less fervent than Peter. The ship signifies the Church. Wisdom 14:6: "The hope of the world, betaking itself to a raft, left to the world a seed of generation." And by this the Church is signified, as is had in 1 Peter 3:20. But the others "came in the ship," that is, protected by the fellowship of the Church, which is terrible as an army set in array. Psalm 30:21 (31:20): "Thou shalt protect them in thy tabernacle from the contradiction of tongues." Second, he assigns the reason for the aforesaid things when he says: "for they were not far from the land, but as it were two hundred cubits, dragging the net of fishes." This can be the reason why Peter cast himself into the sea — namely, because he was near the land — or why the others arrived quickly. And indeed they were not far off, because the Church is not far from the land of the living: for it is "the house of God and the gate of heaven," Genesis 28:17, and the saints daily contemplate that land. 2 Corinthians 4:18: "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen"; Philippians 3:20: "Our conversation is in heaven." And he says "two hundred cubits," which the two ships in Luke 5:2 signify the same thing, namely two peoples, from among whom the elect are drawn to eternal life. Ephesians 2:15: "That he might create the two in himself into one new man, making peace, and might reconcile both to God in one body." Now the net by which fish are drawn is the doctrine of faith, by which indeed God draws by inspiring inwardly — above, John 6:44: "No man can come to me, except the Father, who hath sent me, draw him" — and the apostles draw by exhorting, as here. Here is set down how Christ furnishes to his disciples a familiar banquet; and first, the preparation of the banquet; second, Christ's invitation to the banquet, where it says: "Jesus saith to them: Come, and dine"; third, the refreshment of the banquet itself, where it says: "Jesus cometh, and taketh bread," and so on. The preparation of the banquet is described, first, as to those things which were prepared by Christ; second, as to those things which were brought by the disciples, where it says: "Jesus saith to them: Bring hither of the fishes which you have now caught." Now three things were prepared by Christ. First, fish and bread, whence it says: "As soon then as they came to land, they saw hot coals," which Christ by his own power had created out of nothing, or had formed out of some pre-existing matter. But above, John 6:5ff., he fed the crowd from multiplied loaves; here, however, after his passion, he miraculously creates or forms anew, because it is now no longer the time for showing weakness, but for manifesting power. For that which he did above before his passion was of condescension, since if he had wished, he could have created or formed anew. By this, however, it is given to be understood that in the spiritual banquet something is prepared by Christ. And indeed if this banquet be taken allegorically for the banquet of the Church, thus Christ prepares these three things: namely, the coals of charity. Proverbs 25:22 (21-22): "For doing this, thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head"; Ezekiel 10:2: "Fill thy hand with coals of fire." These coals Christ carried from heaven to earth; above, John 13:34: "A new commandment I give unto you: That you love one another"; likewise Luke 12:49: "I am come to cast fire on the earth." Likewise he prepares the fish, laid upon the coals, which is Christ: for the roasted fish is Christ suffering, who is placed over the coals when, out of the burning of charity, he is offered for us upon the cross. Ephesians 5:2: "He delivered himself for us, an oblation and a sacrifice to God for an odor of sweetness"; likewise in the same place, verse 1: "Be ye followers of God, as most dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us." Likewise he prepares the loaves by which he refreshes, which is he himself. For inasmuch as Christ lies hidden through his divinity, he is called fish, whose property it is to lie hidden beneath the waters — Isaiah 45:15: "Verily thou art a hidden God" — but inasmuch as he refreshes us through doctrine, and also gives us his own body as food, he is truly bread; above, John 6:51: "I am the living bread which came down from heaven"; Isaiah 30:23: "The bread of the corn of the land shall be most plentiful and fat." But to this banquet something must be brought on the part of the ministers of the Church: yet nothing, unless it first exist for us from God. But what is to be brought, he adds when he says: "Jesus saith to them: Bring hither of the fishes which you have now caught"; and first the Lord's command is set down, second the disciple's execution of it. Now he commands that they bring of the fish caught by them, as if he were saying: I have given the gift of charity, I have roasted my body on the cross, and I have set before you the bread of doctrine, from which the Church is perfected and strengthened; it is yours to catch others: and these are they who are converted by the preaching of the apostles. Psalm 28:1 (29:1): "Bring to the Lord, O ye children of God"; Isaiah, last chapter, verse 20: "You shall bring all your brethren out of all nations for a gift to the Lord." But if this banquet be taken for the moral banquet, thus Christ prepares for the banquet of the soul, first, the coals of charity. Romans 5:5: "The charity of God is poured forth in our hearts"; Luke 12:49: "I am come to cast fire on the earth." Likewise, fish, that is, faith hidden, since it is of the things that do not appear, Hebrews 11:1 (evidence of things that appear not). Likewise, bread, that is, solid doctrine. Hebrews 5:14: "But strong meat is for the perfect." For this banquet, on our part, it is required that we make good use of the grace granted to us. 1 Corinthians 15:10: "By the grace of God, I am what I am; and his grace in me hath not been void." Whence he commands, "bring of the fishes," that is, bear your good works, which have been given to you. Matthew 5:16: "So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works." And therefore, consequently, the disciple's execution is set down, namely Peter's, who was more fervent: whence it says: "Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of great fishes, one hundred and fifty-three." He went up into the governance of the Church. Song of Songs 7:8: "I will go up into the state of perfection" (I said: I will go up into the palm tree); Psalm 83:7 (84:6): "In his heart he hath disposed to ascend." And "he drew the net to land," because the holy Church has been entrusted to him, and to him specially it is said, "Feed my sheep," below in this same chapter, verse 17. What therefore Christ then openly declares in word, saying "Feed my sheep," this he himself now prefigures in deed: for he himself draws the fish to the firmness of the shore, because he shows to the faithful the stability of the eternal homeland. But it says "the net full of great fishes," because "whom he predestinated, them he also called; and whom he called, them he also magnified," Romans 8:30; and Ecclesiasticus 44:3: "Men of great power, and endued with their wisdom, shewing forth in the prophets the dignity, and ruling over the present people, and by the strength of wisdom instructing the people in most holy words." In the other catch of fish, no number is added as here, for there were a hundred and fifty-three. This is because in the calling to the present Church both good and bad are drawn in, as is said in Ecclesiastes 1:15: "The number of fools is infinite." Whence in Genesis 22:17 it is said to Abraham concerning that calling: "Thy seed shall be as the sand which is on the sea shore" — which is set down in the bad sense. But of this other number it is said: "Behold the stars, and number them, if thou canst." For these are numbered by God as being held in esteem. Psalm 146:4 (147:4): "Who telleth the number of the stars." But are not more to be saved than one hundred and fifty-three? Indeed, more; but this number signifies something mystically. For no one can come to the homeland except through the observance of the Decalogue; nor can this be observed except through the sevenfold grace of the Holy Spirit, of which Isaiah 11:2-3 speaks: "The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the spirit of wisdom, and of understanding, the spirit of counsel, and of fortitude, the spirit of knowledge, and of godliness. And he shall be filled with the spirit of the fear of the Lord." Now sanctification is first read to have been made on the seventh day. Genesis 2:3: "Blessing the seventh day, he sanctified it." Now ten and seven make seventeen. If therefore one counts in such an order of progression, so that first you take one and two, which make three, and three, which make six, and four, which make ten, and ten and five, which make fifteen, and so on, adding in turn each following number up to seventeen, joining the numbers together you will have one hundred and fifty-three. Or otherwise. These disciples to whom Christ appeared were seven. Now multiplying seven by seven (which are the gifts of the Holy Spirit), forty-nine results; to which, if you add one to signify the perfection of unity in which the sons of God who are led by the Spirit of God ought to be, fifty results; which, tripled, and again three added to signify the faith of the Trinity, which consists in confession of heart and mouth and deed, one hundred and fifty-three results. For those who are made perfect by the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit and are united in faith of the Trinity arrive at the Father. But it says, "and although there were so many, the net was not broken"; in the other catch, however, it is said that it was breaking: because in the present Church, which is signified by that former catch, there are many rendings — of schisms, heresies, seditions — but it is not totally broken, because "I am with you, even to the consummation of the world," Matthew, last chapter, verse 20. But in the future homeland which is signified by this latter catch — that is, in that peace of the saints — there will be no schisms. Psalm 147:3 (14): "Who hath placed peace in thy borders." Consequently, when it says "Jesus saith to them: Come, and dine," the invitation to the prepared banquet is set down; and first, Christ's invitation is set down; second, the disciples' disposition at the banquet, where it says: "And none of them who were at meat, durst ask him." Now Christ invites to the banquet by inwardly inspiring through himself, saying "come, and dine" — Matthew 11:28: "Come to me, all you that labor, and are burdened, and I will refresh you"; Song of Songs 5:1: "Eat, O friends, and drink, and be inebriated, my dearly beloved" — and outwardly by teaching and exhorting through others. Luke 14:16-17: "A certain man made a great supper... and he sent his servant, at the hour of supper, to say to them that were invited, that they should come." The disciples' disposition is set down when it says, "and none of them who were at meat, durst ask him": which, according to Augustine, designates the disciples' certitude concerning Christ's resurrection, because, namely, they were so certain that it was Christ that none of those reclining at table dared to doubt whether it was he. And because questioning is a sign of doubt, no one dared to ask him, "Who art thou?" Above, John 16:23: "In that day you shall not ask me anything." According to Chrysostom, it signifies a reverence of the disciples toward Christ greater than usual. They would gladly have questioned him; but Christ appeared to them in a certain magnificent aspect and marvelous glory, such that they did not dare to question him, out of astonishment and reverence. And this especially held them back from asking, because "they knew that it was the Lord." Consequently, when it says, "and Jesus cometh and taketh bread, and giveth them," the refreshment itself is set down, which they had while he himself ate. Psalm 144:16 (145:16): "Thou openest thy hand, and fillest with blessing every living creature." For he it is who gives them their food in due season. But did Christ eat with them? It must be said that he did, although this is not expressed here; in Luke, last chapter, verse 43, it is expressly said that he ate with them. And Acts 1:4 it is said: "And eating together with them, he commanded them, that they should not depart from Jerusalem." But was it true eating? Response: it must be said to this, that an act is called true in two ways: namely by the truth of signification, and by the truth of species. By the truth of signification, indeed, that act is true which is conformed to the thing signified: as, if I wish to signify something by a statement, and that which I signify is true, and agrees with the thing signified, thus the statement is true by the truth of signification, although not by the truth of species — as when Christ said, "I am the true vine," it is true, although it is not a true vine according to the species of vine, but only according to what "vine" signifies. According to the truth of species, a thing is called true which has what pertains to the truth of the species. Now such are the principles of the species, not, however, its consequent effects: just as the statement "man is an animal" is true in the first way, because it signifies truly; but by the truth of species it is not true unless it is formed from the mouth of a speaking animal with the proper organs. Nor is the effect of the speech required for its truth — for instance, that it be heard, and the like. Thus therefore it must be said concerning eating, that some eating belongs to the truth of signification only, as the eating of the angels, because in angels there are no members ordered to eating; but that which they themselves signified thereby is true, namely the desire which they had for the salvation of men. But Christ's eating after the resurrection was true both by the truth of signification, because it was done for this purpose, that he might show himself to have human nature, which he truly had, and by the truth of species, because he had the proper instruments for eating. Nevertheless the effects consequent upon eating were not present there: because the food was not converted into the one eating, since he had a glorified and incorruptible body; but it was resolved by divine power into the pre-existing matter. Such effects, however, do nothing toward the truth of species, as has been said. Consequently, when it says, "This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to his disciples," he recapitulates the appearances. And according to Augustine, if what is said, "now the third time," be referred to occasions, it is not true: because, as has been said, on the first day he appeared five times; afterward, indeed, on the eighth day, when Thomas was with them, above, John 20:19 (26); second, by the sea, as here; third, on the mountain of Galilee, as is had in Matthew, last chapter, 16ff.; fourth, to them reclining at table, Mark, last chapter, verse 14; fifth, on the very day of the ascension, when, as they were looking on, he was raised up: Acts 1:9. Although he appeared to them on several other occasions during the forty days, even though it is not written. This "now the third time," therefore, must be referred to the days on which he appeared: because on the first day he appeared, on the very day of the resurrection; on the second day, on the octave of the resurrection itself, above John 20, "and after eight days"; and on the third day he appeared here. Or it must be said that even referring it to occasions, the truth of the statement is preserved; because it is not read that he appeared to many disciples gathered together at once, except first in the evening, when the doors were shut, etc.; and second, after eight days, when the disciples were gathered together; and third, here: whence he says pointedly, "Jesus was manifested to his disciples."”

“Simon Peter went up,.... Either to the sea, that being higher than the land, or to the ship which lay by the shore: he went aboard it, and drew the net to land full of great fishes; not alone, but others of the disciples with him; though he only is mentioned, being the leading person in this affair; an emblem of the whole number of God's elect being brought safe to shore, to Christ, and to heaven, through various tribulations and afflictions in the world, fitly signified by the waves of the sea. What mystery there may be in the number, I know not. The conjecture of Grotius, that it is a figure of the proselytes in the days of David and Solomon, seems to be without foundation; since they were not only so many thousands, but six hundred over. And as little to be regarded is the thought of others, that the larger number, one hundred, regards the converted among the Gentiles, and the lesser those among the Jews; much better is the observation of others, that it may design a collection, out of all sorts of people, to Christ, and his church. And for all there were so many; in number, and these so large and big, and the weight of them so great. The Syriac reads "with all this weight", or "burden", and so the Persic; but the Arabic, "with such a number"; both ideas of number and weight are to be preserved, to make what follows the more observable: yet was not the net broken; which must be ascribed to the divine power of Christ; and is an emblem of the power of God attending the Gospel to the regeneration, conversion, and salvation of his people, and of the great usefulness of it, however mean and despicable it may be in the eyes of men, and of its permanence and duration, until all the elect of God are gathered in by it.”

“Peter went up--into the boat; went aboard. 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--The manifest reference here to the former miraculous draught (Luk 5:1-11) furnishes the key to this scene. There the draught was symbolical of the success of their future ministry: While "Peter and all that were with him were astonished at the draught of the fishes which they had taken, Jesus said unto him, Fear not, from henceforth thou shalt catch men." Nay, when first called, in the act of "casting their net into the sea, for they were fishers," the same symbolic reference was made to their secular occupation: "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Mat 4:18-19). Here, then, if but the same symbolic reference be kept in view, the design of the whole scene will, we think, be clear. The multitude and the size of the fishes they caught symbolically foreshadowed the vast success of their now fast approaching ministry, and this only as a beginning of successive draughts, through the agency of a Christian ministry, till, "as the waters cover the sea, the earth should be full of the knowledge of the Lord." And whereas, at the first miraculous draught, the net "was breaking" through the weight of what it contained--expressive of the difficulty with which, after they had 'caught men,' they would be able to retain, or keep them from escaping back into the world--while here, "for all they were so many, yet was not the net broken," are we not reminded of such sayings as these (Joh 10:28): "I give unto My sheep eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of My hand" [LUTHARDT]? But it is not through the agency of a Christian ministry that all true disciples are gathered. Jesus Himself, by unseen methods, gathers some, who afterwards are recognized by the constituted fishers of men, and mingle with the fruit of their labors. And are not these symbolized by that portion of our Galilean repast which the fishers found, in some unseen way, made ready to their hand?”