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XIX. THE MIRACULOUS DRAUGHT OF FISH.
fishing-boats, one of which belonged to Simon Peter; and, going into Peter’s boat, He desired him to put off a little from the shore. Then, seating Himself in the bark, He taught the people.
When he had ceased preaching, He told Peter: “Launch out into the deep[1], and let down your nets for a draught.” Peter
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Fig. 71. Lake of Genesareth with the Ruins of Tiberias. (Phot. Bonfils.)
answered: “Master, we have laboured all night[2] and have taken nothing, but at Thy word[3] I will let down the nets.” Having done so, they caught so great a multitude of fish that their net
- ↑ The deep. From the shallow water near the shores into the middle of the lake, where the water was deeper. The words: “Launch out!” were addressed to Peter, he being in command of the little ship, whereas the words: “Let down your nets”, were addressed to all those who were assisting, of whom there must have been a good number, for, later on, the Gospel speaks of “all who were with him”.
- ↑ All night. “We have already been out in the deep sea, casting our nets, first here, then there.” They went out fishing in the night, as fish are more easily caught then than in the day-time.
- ↑ At Thy word. “In obedience to Thee, and confiding in Thy help.” He meant to say: “Having caught nothing in the night-time, we cannot naturally expect to catch any thing in the broad day-light; but we have confidence that, if we act in obedience to Thy command, our labour will not be in vain. The miracle which ensued was a reward for this faith and confidence, as well as for the service rendered by the loan of the boat.”
