Greek word · G1350

δίκτυον

diktyon

net

The general word for a net, used for fishing or hunting. Greek also has more specific words: amphiblēstron, the round cast net (Mark 1:16), and sagēnē, the large dragnet or seine (Matt 13:47).

Appears 12 times in 11 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

δίκτυον, -ον, τό

[in LXX chiefly for רֶשֶׁת, שְׂבָכָה ;]

general term for a net: Matthew 4:20-21, Mark 1:18-19, Luke 5:2, 4-6, John 21:6, 8 21:11 †

SYN.: ἀμφίβληστρον (which see), σαγήνη. (AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Luke 5:5

Range of meaning

The general word for a net, used for fishing or hunting. Greek also has more specific words: amphiblēstron, the round cast net (Mark 1:16), and sagēnē, the large dragnet or seine (Matt 13:47).

Against the English

'Net(s)' is accurate. Whether it is singular or plural depends on the manuscript tradition (see the variants).

Used elsewhere in the period

It is common in the Septuagint and in classical Greek for nets and snares (e.g. Prov 1:17; Hab 1:15–17, where the Babylonian enemy fishes nations with net and dragnet). In the Gospels it is used for the nets of the Galilean fishermen (Mark 1:18–19; John 21:6–11).

From the study of Matthew 4:20

Range of meaning

A net, especially a fishing net. It is a general term covering several kinds of net. Hunting nets are also attested in wider Greek.

Against the English

"Nets" is accurate. What a modern reader may not picture is how valuable the nets were: they represented capital and daily labor.

Used elsewhere in the period

In v. 18 Matthew uses a more specific word, amphiblēstron, a round casting net thrown by hand. Here he switches to the general diktua. Verse 21 shows James and John "mending" (katartizontas) their nets. Nets needed constant repair, which shows what they cost in time and money. The Septuagint uses the word in images of God's judgment as a net (e.g. Ezekiel 12:13; 17:20 use related net imagery). Matthew 13:47 uses a different word (sagēnē, a dragnet) for the kingdom parable.

From the study of Matthew 4:21

Range of meaning

A net, especially a fishing net. It is the general term, as against the specific 'cast net' (amphiblēstron, 4:18) and 'dragnet' (sagēnē, 13:47).

Against the English

English 'nets' is accurate. Readers may not know these were large, costly linen nets that needed constant care.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used in the LXX for both fishing nets and hunting snares (e.g., Prov 1:17; Hab 1:15–17, where the Babylonian conqueror hauls in people like fish with his net). Matthew uses the word in 4:20 and 4:21.

Where it appears

Matthew · 2

  1. Matthew 4:20 δίκτυα nets

    And at once they left their nets and followed Him.

    Here: The general word for fishing nets. These were their working equipment and their livelihood: costly, handmade, and constantly mended (compare v. 21). Leaving them means walking away from the family trade, at least for now.

  2. Matthew 4:21 δίκτυα nets

    Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Jesus called them,

    Here: The general word for a fishing net, and the same word as in 4:20, where Simon and Andrew 'left their nets'. Nets were costly linen gear, the family's livelihood.

Mark · 2

  1. Mark 1:18 δίκτυα nets

    And at once they left their nets and followed Him.

  2. Mark 1:19 δίκτυα, nets,

    Going on a little farther, He saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat, mending their nets.

Luke · 4

  1. Luke 5:2 δίκτυα. nets.

    He saw two boats at the edge of the lake. The fishermen had left them and were washing their nets.

  2. Luke 5:4 δίκτυα nets

    When Jesus had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”

  3. Luke 5:5 δίκτυα. nets.

    “Master,” Simon replied, “we have worked hard all night without catching anything. But because You say so, I will let down the nets.”

    Here: The general word for fishing nets. They are the nets already cleaned and put away for the day, which now have to go back into the water.

  4. Luke 5:6 δίκτυα nets

    When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to tear.

John · 4

  1. John 21:6 δίκτυον net

    He told them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it there, and they were unable to haul it in because of the great number of fish.

    Here: The general word for a fishing net. It comes last in the command for emphasis: “throw… the net.”

  2. John 21:8 δίκτυον net

    The other disciples came ashore in the boat. They dragged in the net full of fish, for they were not far from land, only about a hundred yards.

  3. John 21:11 δίκτυον δίκτυον.¶ net, net.

    So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many, the net was not torn.

    Here: The general Greek word for a fishing net. John does not say what type. Night fishing on the lake used large nets let down from a boat (v.6, 'cast the net on the right side').

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.