The number a hundred and fifty-three has attracted
much attention, though unfortunately Jerome’s statement that Latin and Greek naturalists
through there were 153 species of fish does not seem reliable and hence cannot
be used to explain this passage. As far back as the time of Augustine it was
noted that 153 is the sum of the numbers from 1 to 17; it is thus a triangular
number since 153 dots can be arranged as an equilateral triable with 17 dots on
the base line. However, many of the mathematical explanations which have been
advanced are too arbitrary to be allowed to stand, and have insufficient relevance
when seen in context. A relationship has sometimes been noted between this
verse and Ezek. xlvii. 10, ‘Fishermen will stand beside the sea; from En-gedi to
En-eglaim it will be place for the
spreading of nets; its fish will be of very many kinds, like the fish of the
Great Sea,’ and it has been suggested on the basis of this that it was observed
that the numerical values of the Hebrew consonants of Gedi and Eglaim add up to
17 and 153 respectively, and that these figures are mathematically related. This
explanation based on the principle of gematria is more plausible than many
other attempts to find Hebrew or Greek words whose letters have a numerical
value of 153, but it is perhaps still more probable that the number ‘represents
the full total of those who are “caught” by the Christian fishermen’, for, in
addition to those features of 153 noted above, ’17 is the sum of 7 and 10, both
numbers which even separately are indicative of completeness and perfection. The
fish then represent the full total of the catholic and apostolic Church.’ That
they are large fish means they are a worthwhile catch, and that the
net was not torn means that Peter, whose role is emphasized, is able
to bring them safely to the land. There is probably also an allusion
here to the perfect unity which ought to characterise the Church. (J. N. Sanders, A Commentary on the Gospel
According to St John, ed. B. A. Mastin [London: Adam & Charles Black,
1968], 447-48)
