Jesus & Eating Fish

Matthew 13:47-48 Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a dragnet, that was cast into the sea, and gathered some fish of every kind, which, when it was filled, they drew up on the beach. They sat down, and gathered the good into containers, but the bad they threw away.

Jesus thought it perfectly natural for parents to feed children fish and called this “good”

Matthew 7:9-11 Or who is there among you, who, if his son asks him for bread [obviously to eat], will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish [the context implies it is to eat], who will give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (Emphasis mine.)

Jesus supernaturally helped fisherman catch fish

Instance 1 (At the beginning of Jesus’ Ministry)

Luke 5:3-6 He [Jesus] entered into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch.” [They would not have fished at that time but Jesus insisted.] Simon answered him, “Master, we worked all night, and took nothing; but at your word I will let down the net.” When they had done this, they caught a great multitude of fish, and their net was breaking.

Instance 2 (After Jesus’ resurrection)

John 21:4-15 But when day had already come, Jesus stood on the beach . . . Jesus therefore said to them, “Children, have you anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” They cast it therefore, and now they weren’t able to draw it in for the multitude of fish. . . . the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits away), dragging the net full of fish. So when they got out on the land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.” [Obviously this was to cook and eat them.] Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of great fish, one hundred fifty-three; and even though there were so many, the net wasn’t torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” . . . Then Jesus came and took the bread, gave it to them, and the fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus was revealed to his disciples, after he had risen from the dead. So when they had eaten their breakfast . . . (Emphasis mine.)

Jesus told Peter to catch a fish

Matthew 17:27  . . . cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up. When you have opened its mouth, you will find a stater coin. . . .

Jesus gave thousands of people fish to eat

Instance 1

Matthew 14:19-21  . . . he took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, broke and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples gave to the multitudes. They all ate, and were filled. . . . Those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Instance 2

Matthew 15:36-38 and he took the seven loaves and the fish. He gave thanks and broke them, and gave to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes. They all ate, and were filled. . . . Those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.

Further Confirmation that it was Two Separate Instances

Mark 8:19-20 When I broke the five loaves among the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They told him, “Twelve.” “When the seven loaves fed the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They told him, “Seven.”

Jesus cooked fish he had somehow obtained without the disciples help

This instance has already been quoted but now I will highlight something you might have missed

John 21:8-9 But the other disciples came in the little boat . . . dragging the net full of fish. So when they got out on the land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, [these were fish Jesus was cooking in addition to those just caught] and bread.

Jesus specifically stated to have eaten fish

Luke 24:42-43 They gave him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. He took them, and ate in front of them.