What is a…
fisher

also known as: fisherman

This is a person who catches fish for a living.

Some of our Lord’s disciples were active fishermen.

• Peter
• Andrew
• John
• James (the son of Zebedee and Salome, and an elder brother of John the apostle)

In our Lord’s time, fishermen’s boats on the Sea of Galilee were called “ships.”

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. —John 21:7 AKJV Authorized (King James) Version

So when Simon Peter [a fisherman in his fishing boat] heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea [and swam ashore]. —John 21:7 NASB

Besides its literal sense (Luke 5:2), this word is also applied by our Lord to his disciples in a figurative sense (Matthew 4:19; Mark 1:17).

More information

• FISH—What does the Bible say about them?
• Answers about the art of fishing in the Bible
• How did fish survive the Great Flood?
• Has it ever rained frogs or fish or any other strange things?
• Nets in the Bible
• Jesus’ boat found? Did Jesus really sit on this ancient boat from the Sea of Galilee?
• fish hooks
• fish pools
• Snares
• What is the Sea of Galilee? and what is its significance in the Bible?
• What is Capernaum? —significance, archaeology, biblical references
• What is Zidon?
• Sidon—a fishery on the Mediterranean Sea coast
• Zebedee —a fisherman
• Answers about wind and wind storms in the Bible

• Effective Evangelism—Become a more effective fisher of men in Christ’s service. Confused about how to share your faith in Christ with others? Our Effective Evangelism section assists Christians in more effectively planting the seeds of the Gospel—spreading truth and love—to unbelievers. Learn about the worldview of the people you meet, ways to share the gospel, read stories submitted by site users, and more.

  Discover the good news that Jesus Christ offers

  The HOPE for all mankind — Discover God’s promise for all people—told beautifully and clearly from the beginning. Discover The HOPE! Watch it on Christian Answers—full-length motion picture.

  Do you understand God’s Story? Take a short journey through the Bible, from Creation to eternity, summarizing of the Bible’s most important records, in chronological order.

  Are you good enough to get to Heaven? Answer