“What a Fishing Story! Luke 5:1-11

Just what Peter needed. They had been out all night and had not caught a thing.

They had rowed and rowed dragging a net without any success. They moved to new areas they hoped would bring them success but it did not work. Now washing his net Peter was asked by Jesus for a favor. Yes, Master come aboard, use my boat so that the people gathered may hear you clearly. I will row the boat a little out from the land. The rest I Peter expected will have to wait. My night is not over.

Anchoring the boat as Jesus had requested, Peter listened as Jesus spoke to those gathered on the shore. Blessed by the experience of being close to Jesus and His word, Peter’s frustration over the long night of wasted hours of fishing slowly evaporated. With the sermon ending and now hopefully welcomed rest, the next request by Jesus, “let’s go fishing,” took Peter by surprise. Peter replied, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! At that point was there a pause, perhaps a look from Jesus? Perhaps, but Peter continues, “But at your word I will let down the nets.” Good decision Peter. Good decision.

Question: What kind of fish did the disciples catch from the Sea of Galilee?

Answer: The Musht, also known as the Tilapia Galilea as well as the St. Peter’s Fish, is probably the main fish that the disciples caught. The typical  Musht probably weighed about 2 pounds.  As the water cools for the winter the Musht is the only large fish that schools and moves to the shallow shoals. The second type of fish is a larger type known as Biny fish that feed on Sardines. These fish are a hardy fish that was popular for the Sabbath feasts. The third type of important fish is the Sardine. These Sardines where also commonly referred to as “small fish”. It was likely that these “small fish” are a better representation of the fish used in Matt. 15:34, Mark 8:7, and John 6:9 for the miraculous feedings of the multitude.