The seventh parable in Matthew 13 is the Parable of Drawing the Net. Like the Parable of the Tares, the parable refers to the final judgment. The net described in the parable is likely a seine — a net that catches nearly everything in its path. Jesus says that the kingdom of heaven is includes everyone — the net — but the fishermen — the angels — will separate the good from the bad. Jesus reminded his disciples in Matthew 13:50 that the result for the wicked will be “the furnace of fire” where there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
The parable is referenced in Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter with the daughter of Hester Prynne being named Pearl. “But she named the infant ‘Pearl,’ as being of great price,—purchased with all she had,—her mother’s only treasure!”
MATTHEW 13:47-50
47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: 48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. 49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, 50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
