Overview
The Bible addresses fishes across 15 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Matthew, Leviticus and Luke. Closely related themes include Miracles of Christ, the, Peter, Ships and Loaves. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus and Peter.
Key Bible verses about fishes
Old Testament
Leviticus
These shall ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall ye eat.
And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you:
They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcases in abomination.
Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you.
New Testament
Matthew
And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.
He said, Bring them hither to me.
And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
Luke
Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
John
And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.
Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.
And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.
People in the Bible and fishes
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying fishes for yourself
- Begin with Leviticus 11:9, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Matthew, Leviticus and Luke each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Jesus and Peter and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Miracles of Christ, the, Peter, Ships and Loaves.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about fishes?
The Bible addresses fishes across 15 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Matthew, Leviticus and Luke. Closely related themes include Miracles of Christ, the, Peter, Ships and Loaves. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus and Peter.
How many Bible verses are about fishes?
The Bible references fishes in 15 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention fishes?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Leviticus 11:9: “These shall ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall ye eat.”
Which people in the Bible are associated with fishes?
Jesus and Peter.
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