Matthew 13:44
 

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."


In the context of these parables, what is the kingdom of heaven, and what is the treasure?


Is this possibly giving us two snapshots? One, how Christ gave his all for the Kingdom and secondly, how we must abandon all to follow Him?

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

In my opinion:
"the field is the world" (Matthew 13:38)
the treasure is the kingdom.
Jesus is the purchaser.
Jesus purchases the whole world (His death is enough for all humanity).
the kingdom is "in the world" but separate from the world, and actually hidden (not revealed) to the world.

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

But is not v 38 a different parable than 44 ?

The preceeding verse (37) indicates the sower (Son of man) had rights if not actual ownership in that field.

37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;

In 44 there was no preexisting ownership or rights to the field.

It appears to be a separate parable, related only by the lessons taught concerning the Kingdon of God/heaven.

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

My personal opinion on this scripture is this.

The man is any man, walking through life without any real soul searching going on.. just existing. But he stumbles upon a treasure, something he wasn't looking for, or expecting but something great, nonetheless. So he goes and sells all, gives up everything, just to buy that field and the great tresure he has found.
He stumbles upon Jesus, the Kingdom of heaven, the God he didn't even know he needed, but when he met him he realized he had been needing him all along.

Then there is another type of man.. the man who knows he needs something, knows he has an emptiness... and that man searches the earth over for this pearl of great price. And when he finds that pearl, he, like the man who buys the field for the treasure, sells all he has to buy that pearl.

Kind of like two types of people in this world... some know they need something, some don't realize.. but when they find the Lord, they will give all they have, to have Him!!!

That's my opinion.

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

yes, it is a separate parable.
but if a meaning is given one place or parable, why not assume it means the same thing in another parable?

for example, leaven is used in the parable in Matthew 13:33-34.
leaven has a connotation of evil in Mark 8:15.
couldn't leaven be a symbol of evil that a woman (false church) hid in the kingdom (visible church) until it was permeated by it?

Birds are used as symbols of evil/demons (Rev. 18:2) so couldn't the birds who sat in the mustard tree (Matthew 13:31-32) be evil spirits who have found a home in the (outward, visible) kingdom.

In my opinion, the kingdom means the reign of God, or the people who are under the kingship of Jesus. There is a kingdom within a kingdom. One kingdom would be the visible church world or Christendom. This would include all who claim to be Christians or who are considered Christians by the world in general. Within that outward kingdom is a core group of people who have been genuinely converted and have actually submitted themselves to Jesus as Lord and Sovereign (King).

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

Thanks for the input Sam. How do you feel about the next parable, Matthew 13:45-46?

46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

What is the pearl and who is purchasing it?

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

This seems to be the traditional take on this scripture...

Is it troublesome that this could almost indicate we can obtain God through a purchase?

Can we really give anything up and "sell" it to purchase a pearl of great value (salvation)? Or is the analogy simply that we must count all else as loss to pursue Christ?

The alternate view has the Son of God giving all He has (on the cross) to purchase the pearl (the salvation of mankind and the Kingdom).

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

I have now added a poll to this thread. Please vote the choice that best fits your view - I know there are some variations of these views, and you can clarify in a post.

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

Well, the Bible mentions buying the truth and selling it not... and Esau sold his birthright...

And then the parable doesn't fit if Jesus stumbles over the Kingdom...

Just thoughts

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

I believe the Purchaser is Jesus and the pearl is the Church.

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

in my opinion, we are bankrupt sinners and could not purchase salvation.

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

Only 1 interpretation to the "parable of the sower" Matt. 13:18
Only 1 interpretation of the "parable of the tares of the field" Mattew 13:37
There is never any evidence of any multiple parable interpretations by Jesus as far as I know. Therefore, IMHO, voting option #3 of multiple interpretations is an impossible option.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.


Ex. 19:5-6 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. (vs.6) And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation

1 Phil. 2:7 (Jesus sold all) But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men (so that he could make the purchase, cause if he didnt sell all, he could not have made the purchase)


John 2:2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.(He also purchased the world, which is the field that contained the treasure)

1 Cor. 6:20, 1 Cor. 7:23 For you were bought at a price (he also purchased the children of the Kingdom, which is the hid "treasure" that he got when he purchased the field)


Again the Kingdom of heaven is like treasure (children of the Kingdom), hidden in a field (world), which a man (son of God- Jesus Christ) found and hid(in world but not of it); and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has(Phil. 2:7) and buys (acts 20:28) that field (the world) which held the treasure- (the children of the Kingdom)


The "man" had to purchase the field, in order to get the treasure that he hid in it.

Therefore:

We "sinners" cannot sell enough to: buy/purchase anything (the world, the gospel, or Jesus Christ,) to obtain the "treasure" (be it the gospel or Jesus Christ, or salvation) because our righteousness is valueless filthy rags.

The parable of the "Pearl of great price" is not much different except it intensifies into a specific merchant who is deliberately seeking "Goodly Pearls" rather than just treasure. But goes on to say in vs. 46, that he sold all for the one pearl. I believe its saying he'd have given all for 1 lost sinner, cause that 1 is priceless treasure to him. He probably intensified it to intensify the message he was trying to get across to the disciples.

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

Furthermore, If a "sinner" finds Jesus Christ,salvation, or the Gospel, he's not suppose to go hide any of them, he's suppose to go proclaiming them before men and tell the world, which is just the opposite of hiding any of them.

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

Thank you for the response. This is why I started this thread, since there appears to be at least two views of the parables of the Kingdom.

As you mention, God does treasure the church, and thanks be to the cross where he gave the ultimate to purchase us.

Scripture also speaks of Christ in our hearts as the treasure:

II Cor 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

It has been said much of scripture has several layers of meaning. So the third poll option was given for those who would say both interpretations can be possible or could be reconciled with all of scripture, not so much that the original intent was twofold.

I do like the type of Jesus giving His ALL to purchase the church. Greater love has no man...

However, I find the analogy of the sinner, rather than Jesus, being the pearl and the treasure somewhat problematic in the setting of the parables in Matt 13.

Our value is minuscule in contrast to Him. Since Christ is the head of the body, it is our dependence on Him that gives us any purpose or meaningful value. The one lost sheep was most valuable because he could be consumed in a sacrifice and then produce a sweet smelling savor. The sheep has no great value or virtue in and of himself... It is only when consumed by and for the Chief Shephard that we have any value at all.

After the parables were given Jesus asked whether the disciples understood, "Have ye understood all these things?" and they said, "Yes". Of course that does not mean they actually did... certainly it is doubtful they understood Christ's mission of the cross at that time.

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

You mentioned scripture also speaks of Christ in our hearts as the treasure: 2 Cor. 4:7

Yes it does, in which he is deffinately the"treasure of treasures"!:thumbsup

I just personlly can't see him as being the "treasure in the parable" because we can't sell enough to purchase anything that is him, or contains him. And once we find him, we're not suppose to hide him, but rather proclaim him.

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

Good thoughts...

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

Shag, looks like we see those parables the same way.

Oh, say "Hi" to Scooby-Doo for me.

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

I would but pore ol' Scoob got the rabies so I had to put him down:toofunny

I'll pass it on to Scrappy- Doo in his stead

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

Right. If it is veiwed as a purchase of salvation it becomes very problematic.

Following Christ does have great ramifications for many though...

Some forsake all - literally, counting not even their own life precious. It is the "cost" of conversion, whether in willingness to do so, or the actual abandonment of houses, lands, mother and father... they are "hated" for his names sake.

There is a total abandonment of ALL for Christ's sake. In that sense the cost is huge... giving all in pursuit of Jesus.

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

:toofunny:toofunny



...he gave it all...
:tissue

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

Bump!

Hoping for votes/input from others.

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

Ah be honest with youself, you just want some attention.:tic:toofunny

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

LOL! It worked then.

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

But am I really providing the kind of attention that your looking for?

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

But to answer your question, I'm not sure which it could be. It is possible to be either one. Since it's Christ that told the parable I at first think the purchaser is Christ. But if I apply it to my life, then it is I that is the purchaser. I'm leaning more toward Christ being the purchaser, but I haven't fully decided enough to vote yet.

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

Bumping the bump! :happydance

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

Be careful with those bumps, they could cause some trouble with the suspension of that new van.:toofunny

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

LOL! Hey I got the drop down racks installed for the ladders. Tomorrow I start with the internal shelving. I can't wait to get it on the road... even if diesel is $4.50 per gallon...:tissue

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

Concider yourself lucky, I say it for $4.75 today in New York

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

One question we gotta answer:
When did Jesus ever tell us to hide (instead of proclaim) him, or salvation, or the gospel? (if any of them is the treasure of that parable)

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

44Again, 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.


I just saw this post.

If we follow the reasoning that the "purchase" is symbolic of us "giving" or abandoning ALL that we have to follow Him, then it still fits.

The hiding was temporary - very temporary in fact. In the parable the treasure was only hidden until the purchase was made. That seems to be the reason for the hiding it - to ensure that this precious thing could be obtained. IF he did not bother to hide it it would speak to the percieved lack of value...

There is no indication the treasure was hidden AFTER the acquisition. It would stand to reason that it was heralded after he had the treasure secured.

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

Romans 3 gives the natural state of man which is morally bankrupt thus he has nothing to buy the field or pearl with.
But He who was rich became poor that through His poverty I might be rich.

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

Agreed. It cannot mean giving anything that would be of value to God in exchange for salvation.

It could possibly mean abandoning ALL to follow Christ. Or to count all friends, family, and material wealth as loss in pursuit of the treasure.

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

This possibility, that the abandoning of all (friends, family, wealth)as loss in pursuit to follow Christ, to be the selling all to "purchase" Christ. (and supposing "purchase" and "selling" are just a figures of speech, and not literal), brings a couple questions to my mind.

1. What field could sinners "purchase", in order to have Jesus(treasure), (to which they previously had hidden Jesus in)?

2) Why would "sinners" have to hide Jesus(treasure) in a field(whatever the field is), in order to get him as the treasure?

3. How & when can sinners hide Jesus?(in order to "purchase" what we hid him in, to get him) We know to hide his word in our hearts, but our hearts cannot be the field, cause we wouldn't want to purchase our own hearts to get Jesus.

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

1. The field is the earth - containing Kingdom of God.

2 & 3. Matthew 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

We must be willing to give all. Not that we pay for salvation, but because our commitment in following Christ must be above all else. Our willingness to give all we have is the "price to pay" for becoming a disciple.

The "hiding" in the parable is demonstrating the extaordinary value of the treasure which is treated with secrecy until the purchase can be made. It is not demonstrating so much that the treasure is invisible (though God is).

This is like finding a great buy on gold - One would not broadcast it, but keeps "it hidden" until he can acquire it for himself. (I don't see this as any great length of time, by the way)


BTW Shaggy, I voted that possibly either view could be reconciled with scripture.

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

I'd just like to say thank you, Stephen Hoover, for starting this thread.
Until you did, I had never even thought about this scripture... I had only heard it taught on once I believe... or explained once. And so the whole idea of it being a portrait of Christ wasn't even a consideration.
The picture of Christ purchasing us is a much better fit.

And what a picture it is!!! Beautiful!

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

You are welcome! As I said earlier I could see how both views could be symbolized in the parable.

I do find it intriguing how it may show Christ giving his ALL...

I am not so sure that I like how that would picture the church though... as having great value to be purchased with the blood of the Only Begotton.

Christ was driven to the cross, not by our value, but by His love for us who had no value to him at all. We are made relevant by His undeserving and inexplicable love. We offer God nothing of value. He is complete and lacking nothing.

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

You mentioned the field is the earth, I'm unsure how & why "sinners" purchase the earth for the treasure?

What exactly is the treasure from that point of view? salvation, discipleship, treasure in heaven?

As sinful as we are, I do believe Christ not only loved us, but saw value in us, as God called the children of Israel his treasure in Ex. 19:5, as well as it's "type" in 1 Peter 2:9

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,

Bro. Hoover, I appreciate the discussion, different angles, and point of views on this, it's an interesting topic to disect in my opinion. Thanks as well from me, for opening it up.

Re: Matthew 13:44
 

I'm still kinda wondering if it is possible to have more than one interpretation to a parable.

Since in Matt. 13:18, Jesus gave only one interpretation of the parable of the sower.

And in Matt. 13:37, he gave only one interpretation to the parable of the tares of the field.

I don't recall ever reading a parable that Jesus told in which he explained that one particular parable to have multiple meanings.

Is it possible for there to be more than one interpretation, or in other words to mean more than one "picture" that the master is trying to paint.

If in this parable, the disciples would have said, "Lord, tell us the meaning of the parable of the hidden treasure",

Would Jesus have said "Which interpretation do you want to hear?"

Or would he have said, "Theres 2 (or more) interpretations (or meanings), here they are.

It looks to me like that would be extremely confusing to the disciples that were listening to the parable trying to figure out its meaning.

Re: Matthew 13:44