Fisherman

Israel was not a seafaring nation, so most of its fish came from lakes and rivers, above all the Sea of Galilee, where some 36 kinds of fish have been identified, among them carp, barbels, “sardines” and catfish. Fish were sold in Jerusalem, which had a gate called the Fish Gate (Nehemiah 3:3), and men of Tyre brought fish to its market. The Law allowed only fish with fins and scales.

The fishermen of the Gospels were working men with boats, partners and hired hands — Zebedee had hired men in his boat (Mark 1:20). The usual method was the dragnet: a large net was let down from a boat in deep water and hauled toward shore, and the catch was sorted on the beach and the bad fish thrown away (Matthew 13:47–48). Others cast a throw net or fished with hook and line. Fishing was mostly done at night, when the fish rose to the cooler surface and could not see the nets. Between trips the nets were washed and mended. It was hard work, and some nights brought nothing (Luke 5:5).