Matthew 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.

Again {G3825}, the kingdom {G932} of heaven {G3772} is {G2076} like {G3664} unto treasure {G2344} hid {G2928} in {G1722} a field {G68}; the which {G3739} when a man {G444} hath found {G2147}, he hideth {G2928}, and {G2532} for {G575} joy {G5479} thereof {G846} goeth {G5217} and {G2532} selleth {G4453} all {G3956} that {G3745} he hath {G2192}, and {G2532} buyeth {G59} that {G1565} field {G68}.

"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field. A man found it, hid it again, then in great joy went and sold everything he owned, and bought that field.

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field.

The kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hidden in the field; which a man found, and hid; and in his joy he goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

Commentary

Commentary on Matthew 13:44 (KJV)

The parable of the hidden treasure, found in Matthew 13:44, is one of the shorter parables of Jesus, yet it conveys a powerful message about the supreme value of the kingdom of heaven. It immediately precedes the parable of the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:45-46), reinforcing similar themes of discovery and radical commitment.

Context

This parable is part of a series of parables Jesus taught to His disciples and the crowds, all illustrating different aspects of the "kingdom of heaven" (or "kingdom of God"). These parables, recorded in Matthew chapter 13, were often spoken to reveal truths to those who were receptive, while concealing them from those whose hearts were hardened. The setting is likely by the sea, where Jesus often taught using analogies from everyday life to explain spiritual realities.

In ancient Israel, there were no banks as we know them. It was common practice for people to bury their valuables and savings in a field, especially in times of war or instability. If the owner died unexpectedly or was forced to flee, the treasure might remain hidden for generations. Finding such a treasure would be a life-changing event, and the man's actions in the parable reflect the legal and ethical considerations of the time: to legitimately claim the treasure, one must legally acquire the field.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Immense Value of the Kingdom: The central message is that the kingdom of heaven is of immeasurable worth, far surpassing all earthly possessions. It is the ultimate treasure, worth any sacrifice to obtain.
  • Discovery and Revelation: The treasure is "found," implying that the kingdom's truth or salvation is often discovered, sometimes unexpectedly, rather than earned through diligent searching. This discovery brings profound joy.
  • Radical Commitment and Sacrifice: The man's decision to "sell all that he hath" underscores the necessity of total commitment to the kingdom. Discipleship requires prioritizing Christ above all else, including wealth, comfort, and personal ambitions. This echoes Jesus' call for forsaking all to follow Him.
  • Joy in Sacrifice: Crucially, the man makes this enormous sacrifice "for joy." This indicates that giving up everything for the kingdom is not a burdensome duty but a joyful response to recognizing its supreme value. True joy comes from possessing this spiritual treasure.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Kingdom of heaven" (Greek: hē basileia tōn ouranōn - ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν): This phrase is unique to Matthew's Gospel, consistently referring to God's sovereign rule and the spiritual realm where His will is done. It is synonymous with the "Kingdom of God" found in other Gospels.
  • "Treasure" (Greek: thēsauros - θησαυρός): This word refers to a store of valuable things, riches, or wealth. Its use here emphasizes the preciousness and abundance found in God's reign.
  • "Hid" (Greek: kekrymmenō - κεκρυμμένῳ): A perfect passive participle, indicating something that *has been* hidden. This suggests that the kingdom's true nature or value may not be immediately obvious to everyone; it is revealed to those who genuinely seek or stumble upon it.

Practical Application

This parable challenges every hearer to evaluate their priorities. What do we truly consider our greatest treasure? For the believer, the kingdom of heaven should be paramount, worth more than any earthly gain or comfort. It calls us to:

  • Recognize the Value: Do we truly understand the eternal worth of a relationship with Christ and His kingdom?
  • Embrace Radical Discipleship: Are we willing to prioritize God's will and kingdom above all else, even if it means personal sacrifice? Jesus taught us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
  • Act with Joy: Our pursuit of spiritual riches should be driven by profound joy, not by obligation or fear. The joy of salvation and eternal life should motivate our every decision, just as the man's joy propelled him to sell all.

The parable serves as a timeless reminder that genuine faith involves a profound reordering of priorities, where the kingdom of heaven becomes the singular focus of our lives, acquired and cherished with utmost joy and commitment.

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Cross-References

  • Proverbs 2:2 (48 votes)

    So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, [and] apply thine heart to understanding;

  • Proverbs 2:5 (48 votes)

    Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

  • Colossians 2:3 (30 votes)

    In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

  • Philippians 3:7 (30 votes)

    But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

  • Philippians 3:9 (30 votes)

    ¶ And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

  • Matthew 6:21 (23 votes)

    For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

  • Luke 14:33 (23 votes)

    So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.