The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man discovered and then hid. And with joy he goes, sells everything he has and buys that field.
13:44 — Furthermore, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man finds, and hides again; and rejoicing over it he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field 45 Also the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, 46 who having found a precious pearl, went and sold all that he had, and I buy it. — There are two main thoughts in these two pairs: the value of the kingdom and the joy of finding it. The parable of lost things (the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son) emphasize the value of the lost and the joy of finding them. These two parables speak of the value of the kingdom and the joy of finding it. In these two parables it is seen how the kingdom affects the individual. Finding this treasure is an individual matter. The relationship with God is an individual matter. — hidden treasure … which a man finds. Many hoarded underground (Matt 25:25) their valuable possessions for fear of robbers, invasions, revolutions, etc. There were no banks. It consisted of gold, silver, various kinds of coins, jewelry, and other valuable things. Many treasures were lost due to wars, change of government, death of the owner (for example, in battle), etc., and no one knew about them. It was found by those seeking such treasures (Job 3:21; Pro 2:4), or perhaps more commonly it was found by those who worked the land. Judaic (traditional) law was that such finds belonged to whoever discovered them. The gospel is a real treasure. In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians we find the word “riches” four times. He says Eph 3:5 that “in other generations it was not made known to the sons of men.” So the idea of ”hidden” treasure is appropriate. Paul uses the word “riches” in his letters. he says in 2Co 4:7, “we have this treasure in earthen vessels.” In Eph 3:8 speaks of “the unsearchable riches of Christ” because the gospel reveals Christ (his life, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension) and the salvation we receive through him. The gospel saves us from the guilt of sin, cleanses us from the contamination from sin, and delivers us from the consequences of sin. Obedience to the gospel puts us in Christ and we receive all spiritual blessings (Eph 1:3). The parable illustrates the joy of finding the kingdom. (1) “We have found the Messiah” (Joh 1:40-46). This text speaks of two brothers who “found” the Messiah and then “found” their brothers (in the flesh) to share the good news with them. (2) The Samaritan woman, when she “found” the Messiah, “left her pitcher, and went into the city, and said to the men, Come, see a man who has told me all that I have done. Is this not the Christ? (Joh 4:28-29). (3) The Ethiopian eunuch read Isaiah 53 without understanding, but “found” the Messiah when Philip, beginning in that same Scripture, preached the gospel to him. On that same day the eunuch was baptized. When he came up out of the water he “went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:35-39). (4) Saul, Cornelius, Lydia, the jailer “found” this same treasure. The book of Acts tells us about these and other cases and each one indicates a great interest in finding this treasure. Acts 16:33-34 It says that the jailer and his household were baptized at that same hour of the night (at midnight), “And taking them home, he set a table for them; and he rejoiced with all his house that they believed God.” The converts mentioned in Acts accepted the gospel as good news. It is compared not to a funeral but to a wedding celebration. We are not invited to a sad life, but to a blessed and happy life. He — sells everything he has. — Christ says that when the man found the treasure, “joyful about it he goes and sells everything he has, and buys that field”. Jesus says, “If anyone wants to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matt 16:24). To be a Christian it is necessary for each person to sell “what he has”; that is, to do whatever is necessary, whatever the cost, to be obedient and fulfilled in the service of Christ. — The pearl of great price — The value of the kingdom. This parable teaches the great value of the kingdom. Jesus speaks of the “merchant who seeks fine pearls”. He is looking for them. Jesus had said, “seek and ye shall find…he who seeks finds” (Matt 7:7-8). Why did this man find the pearl of great price? Because he searched for her. His efforts were rewarded. He says Ac 17:11, “And these were nobler than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with all eagerness, searching the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” She was a unique pearl. This man who already had pearls searched and found another pearl, a very special pearl, one of great price, one that was worth more than all the others. We too must seek the one pearl. There is only one pearl “of great price.” There is only one Savior. There is only one gospel. There is only one church. There is only one hope. He says Eph 4:4-6, “one body, and one Spirit…one hope…one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father.” Today there are various gods, christs, gospels, churches, hopes, etc. Some religious teachers say that there are many paths to heaven, and that each person can choose the path that suits him. But as we see in this parable that there was only one pearl of great price, so too the Bible teaches that there is only one way to heaven (Joh 14:6; Ac 24:14). They recognized the value of the treasure and the pearl. They recognized and appreciated it. They loved him. Those who reject the gospel do not recognize its value. For them it has no value. Many other things do have value, but the gospel does not. Everyone looks for what they consider to be of value, what is worthwhile. The gospel brings salvation of the soul, reconciliation with God, true joy, peace and contentment in any circumstance of life, and the hope of eternal life, but these things are worthless to most people. For them only the things of this life (material things, pleasures, human honors, etc.) have value. — he sold everything — In the two parables Christ says that they sold everything. The one who found the treasure sold everything with joy. Nobody forced him to sell everything. He did it voluntarily. Also the one who bought the pearl of great price was willing to sell everything. What is sold? What does this mean for us? In what sense should we “sell everything”? In the sense of Matt 10:37-38; Matt 16:24; Luke 14:33; 1Co 9:27. It’s what the rich young man didn’t want to do (Matt 19:21-22). You have to “sell” pleasures, honors (Phil 3:3-8), possessions, culture and customs, habits, family ties, in short, everything that could be appreciated more than Christ, anything that could be in conflict with our loyalty to Him. — and bought it — We must take advantage of the salvation that God offers us. Everyone must take ownership of it. He must own her. Otherwise this great blessing is not a blessing for us. The gospel was not revealed just to be admired by people. He says pro 23:23, “Buy the truth, and do not sell it.” When it comes to family health, many men seek medical attention “at all costs.” When it comes to education, many will pay almost any price to obtain it. So are many with respect to their serious purposes. It is believed that any price, no matter how exaggerated, is fair and reasonable and not too expensive. What are we looking for? Many seek the “treasure” and “pearl” of material gain, or pleasure, or worldly influence, or education, etc. They delude themselves into believing that these things are the most important. The true treasure, the most valuable pearl, is the gospel of the kingdom. We must obtain this wealth “whatever it takes.” If we know how to appreciate “the unsearchable riches of Christ,” we will gladly make any sacrifice to obtain them. Many people, upon hearing the pure gospel, have said, “That’s what I was looking for.” This happens all the time when Christians teach the gospel to others. Then there is much joy not only in the heart of the person who finds the treasure, but also in the heart of the person who teaches it. Thank God, everyone can find it. “Seek the Lord while he may be found” (Isaiah 55:6). Right now He can be found by those who seek Him. Romans 10:20 he says, “I was found by those who did not seek me; I manifested myself to those who did not ask about me.” This refers to the Gentiles who for so many centuries had sunk in idolatry and ignorance. When the gospel was preached to them, many of them broke their idols, burned their books on magical arts, confessed Christ, and began to walk in newness of life. Now everyone can find God through Christ.
Source: Commentary on the New Testament by Partain
it is akin to hidden treasure. Matt 6:21; Pro 2:2-5; pro 16:16; Pro 17:16; Pro 18:1; Joh 6:35; Romans 15:4; 1Co 2:9, 1Co 2:10; Col 2:3; Col 3:3, Col 3:4, Col 3:16.
and of joy of it goes. Matt 19:21, Matt 19:27, Matt 19:29; Luke 14:33; Luke 18:23, Luke 18:24; Luke 19:6-8; Acts 2:44-47; Acts 4:32-35; Phil 3:7-9; Hebrews 10:34; Hebrews 11:24-26.
and buy that field. pro 23:23; Isaiah 55:1; Rev 3:18.
Source: The Treasury of Biblical Knowledge
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field: The parables of the verses Matt 13:44-52 they concern the values and responsibilities of the Kingdom. They are especially addressed to believers. The first two are recorded by Matthew only and apparently must go together. Stripped of their grand dreams of an immediate and powerful Davidic kingdom, and faced with the prospect of much opposition from all sides, the disciples were forced to count the cost. In the first story a man finds a treasure, for which he makes every effort to obtain it. The central truth is the immense value of the Kingdom, which is worth more than any sacrifice or inconvenience one could find on earth to possess it.
Source: New Illustrated Caribbean Bible Commentary
THE KINGDOM… A TREASURE. The parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl (vv. Matt 13:44-46) teach two truths:
(1) The kingdom is a priceless treasure to be desired above all things.
(2) The kingdom must be acquired by abandoning everything that prevents being part of it. “Selling everything” means taking your heart away from other interests and putting it on the one supreme interest, Christ (Romans 12:1).
Source: Full Life Study Bible
These two parables have the same meaning. Both present salvation as something hidden from most people (see note on v.Matt 13:11), but so valuable that the people to whom it has been revealed are willing to give up everything they have to possess it.
Source: MacArthur Study Bible
13:44 — Furthermore, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man finds, and hides again; and joyful about it he goes and sells everything…