The one-lake had “many names.” You could call it “Lake of Gennesaret” or you could call it the “Sea of Galilee” or you might refer to it as being “the Sea of Tiberius.” All worked. All certainly applied.
“Tiberius” was pretty much “hated terminology” because it indicated Caesar’s ownership. The lake and “all the fish in it” belonged to Caesar, which meant you had to get a license to fish it.
The lake itself was 13 miles by seven miles, a rather large body of water! At its deepest point the lake is about 150 feet deep.
“Licenses” were gladly sold by the local tax collectors – guys like Matthew (aka Levi.) The tax collectors made “a little something” on each sale. You then had to pay taxes on the fish that you caught. That tax could be as much as 40% of the catch! The remaining fish were sold off through “agents” who “siphoned off” the majority of the remainder of the profits…and increased the price, so that only the truly elite could afford “fresh-today” caught fish to eat.
People would actually be forced to band together to get a license, kind of like forming a “kinship group” – or a mini corporation because of the high costs involved. So therefore, family businesses were very common.
Boats and equipment were not cheap – by any means…either!
As a matter of fact, you may remember back in 1986 “a crude old boat,” some 2,000 years old was found buried in the sand along the Sea of Galilee. The vessel was found on the northwestern shore side. It was actually 26 feet by 7 feet which was big enough to hold 15 men. The boat was made of chiefly cedar and oak. It still is in pristine shape!
Since there was no means to keep fish fresh, fishing was done at night; sold in the morning, and eaten, that very same day.
“Trammel nets” made of linen – were used only at night, because during the day, the fish could actually see the nets. “Trammel nets” would be washed anew every morning after each catch. “Seigning nets” were the other popular nets that were also used.
The fishermen themselves were not viewed very honorably. They were away from home and family at night and slept most of the day away…this is what added to their rather “low honor status!” They also smelled like the fish – which they caught! There was no such thing as Right Guard!
Basically, there were three different kinds of fish that were sought after.
Sardines, like the two small fish that the boy brought to the feeding of the 5,000 were the first type. Sardines and bread was the staple product of the locals. They were usually smoked and dried.
A bigger fish known as a barbell (because of the barbs at the corners of its mouths) were sold fresh…and seldom smoked…it was a better quality of fish!
Then there was a larger fish about a foot and a half long, weighing up to 3-4 pounds and called a musht. Today it is more popularly called a St. Peter’s fish. This fish had a long dorsal fin that looked like a comb.
These constituted the top three fish sought by fisherman (in antiquity) at least, in the Sea of Galilee.
The way that Luke tells this story, it is full of “minute details” that could have only come from St. Peter.
“He got into the boat.”
“The one belonging to Simon.” (Not the other boat!)
“He asked him to put out a little way from the shore.”
“He sat down.”
“He taught the crowds from the boat.” All of this adds to the authenticity of the scene. These are colorful details. This portrays “a vivid memory” of a “specific scene” from Jesus’ life.

And then, Jesus tells him, “To put out into the deeper water and let down your nets for a catch.”

They hauled in so many fish that they had to call for the other boat to join them. Then both boats almost capsized because of the weight of all the fish. So many fish… An enormous amount… It was miraculous… Tremendous… Stupendous! Crazy! They were almost swamped by grace!

Again, who was this? Who is this guy?

Simon addresses him as “Master and Lord.” And now says, “Get away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man.” And Jesus replies, “Fear not!” “From now on, you will be catching people!”

Simon is called. He is singled out. Sinner that he is… Stinky old fisherman that he is… Jesus has his designs set on him…

Which just goes to prove – the point that God can use anyone for his purposes…even an old stinky fisherman!

Amen.