Matthew 13:44-45 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:44

The treasure of great, but careful, joy. Note, in introduction, that this fifth parable was not spoken from the ship to the multitude upon the shore, but within "the house;" and the character of it seems in some relative degree to alter. It is no longer a parable, illustrating the kingdom of heaven in respect of the manner of its operation, but emphasizing the value of itself, and the sense of its value as entertained and proved by some; and it is no longer a parable revealing the wide... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:44

Religion gained at personal sacrifice. A man is ploughing in a field which he only rented, or perhaps only worked in as a labourer. He comes casually on the sign of a buried treasure; but he dares not touch a thing. So he covers up the signs, and sets all his heart and effort on gaining possession of that field. He counts no sacrifice too great if it helps to realize his aim. This parable deals with the individual man and personal religion. I. TRUE RELIGION IS A MATTER OF ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:44-46

Parables of the hid treasure and the pearl of price. These parables depict the two great classes of men who become Christians. Some men are born merchants, others day labourers; some, i.e., are born with a noble instinct which prompts them to believe that there is infinite joy and satisfaction to be found, and that it shall be theirs; others, again, never look beyond their present attainment, have no speculation in them, no broad plan of life nor much idea that any purpose is to be served... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:44-46

The chief good. The parable of the treasure and that of the pearl as they are here together may well be considered together, for the subject is the same. The repetition emphasizes the importance and value of the gospel. These parables set before us— I. THE CHIEF GOOD . 1 . What is it? 2 . Why is it hidden? (a) Lest they should insult them. The swine will trample on the pearl, and turn and rend the merchantman. (b) As a judgment upon their brutishness (cf. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:44-53

The parables addressed to the disciples. I. THE HIDDEN TREASURE . 1 . The story. Treasures were often hidden in fact, still more often in fiction. A man walked through the field; he lighted suddenly on the treasure. He hid it, again. It was his, probably, by right of finding. But in this parable, as in others, not every detail is to be pressed. Earthly stories cannot exactly express every feature of spiritual truth. One parable supplies the omissions of another; taken together,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:45

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man. Evidently no poor man, but a rich wholesale dealer ( ἔμπορος : cf. Revelation 18:23 ; not κάπηλος , "a retailer;" cf. 2 Corinthians 2:17 ). Seeking . According to the usual manner of his life. Goodly pearls. He eared nothing about the inferior kinds or specimens. The man aimed high; he got more than he can have thought possible ( Matthew 7:7 , Matthew 7:8 ). Origen has much curious matter about the different... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:45-46

The parable of the pearl merchant, Matthew only. Observe in this parable that the merchant is accustomed to deal in pearls, and is searching for good ones, when he meets with one worth more than the others he possesses all put together. If the former parable described one who finds the gospel as it were by chance ( e.g. the woman of Samaria), this speaks of one who has long been searching for truth ( e.g. Andrew and John, the Ethiopian eunuch). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:45-46

The pearl of great price. Many people regard religion as a matter of grave duty which it behoves them to attend to, but to which they turn reluctantly and with weariness, because they never hope to see in it any attractions or to make it an object of eager desire. To such people our Lord's words may be a new revelation. In his teaching the kingdom of heaven is supremely desirable. I. THE PRECIOUSNESS OF THE PEARL . Our Lord is not speaking of the future heavenly reward, which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:45-46

The superlative prize going to the seeker. This sixth parable is also one which rather illustrates the power of the kingdom of heaven in its action on the individual. Under some aspect of it, it has justly fascinated him. For some reason he has seen, justly seen, his advantage in it, and has not confused that advantage with any lower one, nor lost it in even a thousand others. Therefore it seems to him, manifold though it really is, as one undivided thing, one prize of boundless... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:45-46

Satisfied only with the best. The general truth taught in this and in the preceding parable is that he who would be a follower of Christ must be prepared to sacrifice everything for the kingdom of God. The difference between the two parables is that in the one case the man found accidentally, but in the other case he sought deliberately. "The one parable illustrates the eagerness of a poor man, who lights upon the treasure apparently by accident; the other illustrates the eagerness of a rich... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:44

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:44

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:44-46

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:44-46

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:44-53

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:45

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:45-46

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:45-46

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:45-46

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 13:45-46

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