What is the significance of the 153 fish caught by Jesus in John 21 verse 11?

Answer 1

One View

The Bible tells us explicitly that there were 153 large fish caught in the net and that it was not torn, John would not have included that detail if it was not important. It may have had a very special significance for the apostles, it is the number of times that the Name of God (Yahweh) is mentioned in Genesis. Jerome, who lived in 400 AD, said that 153 species of fish were all that was known at the time John wrote his gospel. Jesus had already called the disciples 'fishers of men' (Mark 1:17) but they focused initially on Israel. The number 153 represented every possible, known people group in the world at that time, in other words, the whole world.

So this time the Bible says with numbers what it has said in words.

That all are saved, all 153. (The belief that all are saved, is from an understanding of the Bible, called Universal Reconciliation.) If a fisherman has to throw back any fish, its because the fish are to small to "eat," anyone who fishes can tell you, they like to come back to the same spot to fish, so it is likely that the small fish would grow and be caught again later, no fish are thrown away forever.

Another View I personally would take it literally as just a full net, since the Bible says some are not going to be saved. As it is likely that some of the fish were already dead or had to be thrown back because they didn't meet requirements the number '153' can't mean that all are saved (it would be nice, but in my opinion, not realistic.)

Answer 2

the fact that peter caught so many fish and did not tear the net