Matthew 13:44-46 (KJV)

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 (NLT: in his excitement) and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls (NLT: Choice pearls;

Aramaic Bible in Plain English: precious; Mace NT: curious; WHR: rare)

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

Vocabulary List

Kingdom of Heaven (Kingdom of God) = represents the saving knowledge of God through trust in Jesus our King and His reign in us.

A merchant or a man = anyone. Male or female desiring to be know Jesus and become saved.

Field = The world. Not the “field”(soil meant our hearts) from the parable of the Sower.

Hidden Treasure / Pearl of great price = Salvation through Jesus our Lord. Entrance into The Kingdom.

• A very rare and unique pearls could be worth 3 – 4 years worth of wages or more. Large pearls could bring about generational wealth.
  

Surpassing Value of Knowing Christ

• Philippians 3:7–8 – Paul counts everything as loss “because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.”
  

Seek First the Kingdom

• Matthew 6:33 – “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
  

Cost of Discipleship

• Luke 14:33 – “Any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”

Joy in Salvation

• Isaiah 55:1–2 – Invitation to buy what truly satisfies “without money and without price.”
• Hebrews 12:2 – Jesus endured the cross “for the joy that was set before him.”
  

• Finding by Seeking vs. Unexpectedly
  • Jeremiah 29:13 – “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
  • Romans 10:20 (quoting Isaiah) – God says, “I was found by those who did not seek me.”

Understanding the parable:

The parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price both emphasize that the kingdom of heaven is of such great value that it is worth losing everything else to gain it. One shows the kingdom is found unexpectedly, the other by deliberate seeking—but both require total commitment and joyful sacrifice.

Parables of Jesus review so far:

Hear the Word and obey the Word (Sower, Seeds and Soils – Matt. 13: 1–23)

• The Word of the kingdom falls on different soils = different heart responses.
  
• Main Idea: Fruitfulness depends on hearing with an open mind and willing heart.
  

Read: James 1:21–22

Value (Hidden Treasure & Pearl – vv. 44–46)

• Treasure: Found unexpectedly.
  
• Pearl: Found by deliberate searching.
  

Walking Points:

The kingdom of God is of surpassing worth—worth giving up everything to obtain. Whether someone stumbles upon it or seeks it out, once it is found, the only proper response is to value it above all else and joyfully surrender everything for it. Read: Philippians 3:7–8 and Matthew 6:33

Monday Morning Moment: Matthew 13:46 (KJV) 46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.