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The Twin Parables of The Treasure Hidden in a Field, and The Pearl of Great Price. |
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Matt. 13:44
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
Matt. 13:45,46
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
Notes on Customs
The Treasure Hid in the Field. Hidden treasure is a favorite theme in oriental folklore. Throughout the history of Israel in Palestine till the days of Christ scores of armies had invaded this land. The northern nation, Israel, was conquered by Assyria. Twice the Babylonians invaded the nation of Judah. The Medo-Persian Empire, the Grecian Empire and the Roman Empire all invaded the land, with incursions by Egypt. It was a common practice for people in times of danger and instability to hide their wealth by burying it. Robbers even buried stolen treasure. It was the safest and most secure means of protection. The treasure itself would most likely to have been gold, silver, or precious jewels. It would not have been unreasonable for such buried treasure to have been lost or forgotten either by an alteration of landmarks or the death of the person who hid it. So the story of Jesus of a hid treasure in a field was quite realistic. Prov. 2:4
The Pearl of Great Price. Pearls were fished for especially in the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, and the Indian Ocean. They were highly prized and used for adornment, especially as necklaces. They were conveniently used as barter since an enormous amount of wealth could be carried about and concealed easily. We hear of pearls worth millions. Pearls are mentioned only once in the Old Testament in the book of Job. Each of the twelve gates of the New Jerusalem is pearl. The city of Babylon in the book of Revelation is decked with gold, precious stones, and pearls. The great whore in Revelation 17 is decked with gold, precious stones and pearls. Paul wrote to Timothy that women not adorn themselves with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array. Christ warns us not to cast our pearls before swine.
Points of the Parable
It should be first noticed that these and the following parables were not given to the general public but to the disciples. It was intended for their learning and understanding. Thus the lessons were not for a mixed audience of both lost and saved, but for His followers. This is a vital detail in understanding these parables.
In the Treasure parable the morality of the man may be called into question. His actions might be rendered, “he hid it again, and said nothing about it to anyone.” It is thought by some that it would have been his duty to inform the owner of the field. That not to do so doubts the man’s integrity. However questionable his actions may be, they were in accordance with Jewish law. Roughly the law stated that any purchase made included all movable effects found within what was bought. This included the purchase of lands, grains and even fruits. (The legal ruling is: movable effects are included in the purchase of property.) But Christ does not does not condemn or vindicate this conduct. The story is simply a statement of fact of the ways of men.
The common elements of the two stories are the points of finding, the great joy, the enormous values and the sacrifice to obtain the discoveries.
While the two parables closely parallel and resemble each other there are differences to note.
It is doubtful that the man who discovered the treasure was seeking it. He came upon it. The merchant was quite different. He was purposely seeking valuable, goodly pearls. “Goodly” is that which is good, valuable or virtuous and expresses beauty with balanced proportion.
The treasure was hid, and the pearl was on the market. Both were in some way discovered. The treasure in of itself was not for sale, the pearl was. The value of each had to have been enormous to cause the men to sacrifice all in order to obtain them. The pearl was openly bought; the treasure was indirectly acquired by the land purchase.
The treasure consisted of units of items of value while the pearl was one item.
Given Interpretations
Basically there are two general interpretations. One has it that the man represents the lost that have discovered the preciousness of the Kingdom of God (salvation, the gospel, or Christ). The point is, that unregenerate men discovering the Kingdom of Heaven have to sacrifice all to obtain it. This makes Christ teaching the need to sell all for the sake of purchasing the Kingdom. But we know men cannot purchase the Kingdom, salvation or Christ, they are not for sale. All of these are entirely by grace.
The second view is that each man represents Christ and His sacrifice of all for the purchase of the great treasure of the Kingdom of Heaven. In the case of the treasure hid in the field, the field represents the world and Christ had to purchase the world in order to secure the real treasure of the Kingdom. This view has the treasure as a symbol of all those who would be saved, and/or the Church. And, that in both parables the purchase was paid by His shed blood and death.
The latter view inadequately attempts to explain or passes over details of the first parable, the treasure in the field. The detail points are as follows; first, the treasure was found, discovered, and it had been hid and unknown; next is the hiding again the treasure till the land was bought. Of course it also calls into question, who was the original owner of the lost treasure.
If systems of allegorizations are used to interpret then the allegories and the actions must harmonize. But there is an element of discord using this method. Would not Christ, as the Son of God, had known of the treasure and not to have “discover” it? Technically, until Christ actually shed His blood and paid the sacrifice there would not have existed any treasure or pearl. Salvation is at Calvary and at Calvary the treasure of the Kingdom of Heaven becomes a reality. It was not until His blood was poured out could it be applied. The Old Testament saints were secure by the yet unfulfilled promise of the Redeemer, Messiah, but not until the work was finished was it realized. Logically, if Christ had not sacrificed all there would be no treasure, no pearl of great price. But if the price is already determined to be paid before the discovery of the great treasure of the Kingdom of Heaven, then and only then can the treasure exist. The cause and effect in the parables is the reverse to the facts. The treasure did not cause the sacrifice of Christ, but rather because the sacrifice was paid then the treasure came into being. The salvation of man was determined before the foundation of the world. But the parables assert the found treasure and pearl prompted the decision to then sell all and pay the cost.
The Interpretation
While the merchant story makes no reference to any joy, it is only reasonable that there was joy because of the merchant’s conduct. The actions of these two men suggest that the joy must have been great to prompt them to such extreme measures of sacrifice. All else of what they had seems valueless compared with their discoveries. The joy is coupled with the fact that it can be personally secured, however only by the unreserved surrender of all.
What is it about the Kingdom of Heaven that could fit the features of these two parables? Certainly it is not salvation, which is the entrance into the Kingdom. While it is true that salvation produces great joy in the heart of the repentant, there is no price to be paid to personally secure salvation. So it is not the entrance into the Kingdom under consideration, but rather something discovered after salvation. What joyful offering is made to the believer, which he must sacrifice all to receive? The joy is to answer the call of Christ to follow Him. The sacrifice is the price of discipleship. The treasure is to be a part of the Lamb’s Bride, the jewels of Jehovah (Mal. 3:17).
One man, with apparently no consideration at all of seeking the riches of the Kingdom of God, has it revealed to him. The other, the merchant, perhaps with a sense of conviction, is on a quest to find the riches of the Kingdom of Heaven. And, what was revealed to him far exceeded his expectations. All the riches and mysteries of God have to be revealed by God to men. It is the Holy Spirit who does this. The natural man does not seek God, nor does he care anything about Him. Even if the riches of the Kingdom were presented to him (apart from salvation and even salvation much of the time) he would trample on them. What Christ is telling the disciples is that God’s grace comes to save men in either circumstance. The life they found uncovered the possible treasures available in the Kingdom of God through the means of sacrificing all to do His will. Moses is the outstanding example of a man who did this (Heb. 11:24-26). (26) Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
Returning to the fact that Jesus is giving these parables to the twelve reinforces the point that this aspect of the Kingdom of Heaven is beyond the point of salvation. The stories are commentaries on how a child of God should ideally dedicate himself to Christ and the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus is teaching them of the preciousness, attainability and cost of a life so dedicated. Here is a wonderful quote; “They must be willing to risk all, if the priorities of the kingdom threaten the security of their earthly existence.” (Author unknown.) Few have been called upon to sacrifice all, but the potential is always present with anyone who would follow Christ.
The Application
The application of these two parables is explicit in their stories. It is not intended for the general population, but for the children of God. Our being in the Kingdom of Heaven situates us within a world of wonderful opportunities and rewards. For what is set before the child of God is of vast value. It is the riches of heaven. It is a joy to do the will of God. We can in this life only imagine the greatness of the joy that will be theirs who at their judgment before Christ hear the words, “Well done thou faithful servant!” If we have the vision of the treasures of God for the faithful should it not prompt us to be willing to surrender all for it and Him, not for selfish motives but to please Him who has called us.
KJV Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
KJV Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
KJV Matthew 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal
KJV 1 Corinthians 2:9,10 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
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Next: Parable of the Drag Net |
This page last updated September 14, 2004 at 10:30am
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