96 J. Duncan M. Derrett with rod and line7. Fishing and mission are connected, since the Tribe of Naphtali combine the archaic right to fish in the Sea of Galilee with the capacity to be swift messengers8. A super-abundance of fish suggests the Last Days, when they will be found even in unlikely waters9. Fisherfolk were in any case knowledgeable people of good social status and standing: so the painstaking research of Wuellner establishes10. We can be certain from Lk 5:1-11 and Jn 21:3-15 that Jesus believed fishing with a net was a good metaphor for evangelization of an area. One takes, says Luke, people alive (ζωγρῶ), risking unpleasant inferences. ζωγρῶ suggests the captives’ servitude: but slaves, including those cap- tured by pirates or in war, could gain their liberty, and for Jews to enslave other Jews would be obnoxious - unless for their ultimate advantage. The redemption of captives (an image worth pondering on: Gal 4:3,9; 2:4; Rom 8:15) was, and still is, a “good work”. One note Ps 10:9. II. “New Information” and “Exegesis” I shall refer to the author(s) of Jn 21 as “John”, and I adopt no position as to the relation, if any, between Lk 5:1-11 and Jn 21:1-14. The Fourth Gospel, as we have it, is full of unexplained curiosities and challenging non-sequiturs. Reference to Jewish law and lore has often decreased puz- zlement, and at times illuminated a whole passage11. Whether or not John took inspiration from further East (he may have done)12, he assumed, as did Paul, that the time would never come when Jewish ideas and habits would be forgotten. Jewish halachah (normative ideas) is the spirit of Judaism13; and, though converts might not be expected (Acts 15: 28-29) Lucian, Reviviscentes sive Piscator §§47-51 (net rejected) (L.C.L., Lucian III. 70ff.). 7 Tos., B.Q. 8:17-18. Cf. Bab. Talm., B.Q. 81a, Er. 17a . Dt 33:23; Bab. Talm., B.Q. 81b. 8 Gen 49:21 with targums. J.D.M. Derrett, at NT 22 (1980), 114f. (=Studies in the New Tes- tament III,7-8). Pirqe de R. Eliezer 51 (trans. G. Friedlander, 417-418). Ezk 47: 9-10 is explained. Cf. R. 9 Pesch, Der reiche Fischfang (Mk 5:1-11 1 Jo 21: 1-15) (Düsseldorf, 1969). Midr. R. Exod. XV. 21 (Sonc. Trans., 186). W.H. Wuellner, The Meaning of “Fishers of Men” (Philadelphia, 1967), 27, 46, 47 10 n.74, 49, 50. Scribes could be fishermen by occupation: Bab. Talm., M.Q. 11a (Soncino trans., 61-62); Pal. Talm., Ber IV.3. Articles in Derrett, Studies VI, 2-5,6-15; 97-110; 121-128; 129-131; 145-159; 193-201. 11 J.D.M. Derrett, “An Indian metaphor in St John’s Gospel”, JRAS 3ed. Ser., 9/2 (1999), 12 271-286. The Johannine understanding of the Eucharist would be intelligible in India and with Māhāyana Buddhists, who anticipated the idea. The image of fish and fishing will not have been acquired from Buddhist circles. Fishing suggests trapping: Ang. N. III § 135. L. Ginzberg, On Jewish Law and Lore (Philadelphia, 1955), 78. 13