July 19, 2019
READING TIME: 2-3 MINUTES
In Matthew 13:44-46, what do the parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price refer to?
SUMMARY: These two parables teach that a mystery of the kingdom is that it will include both of God’s treasured people, Israel, and the Gentiles, whom He bought at a great price.
The new “mystery” teaching is that those who are Jews and those who are Gentiles will be together in the kingdom. In the Gospels, Christ offered a literal earthly kingdom to the Jewish nation and as a nation, they rejected it in Matthew 12 (especially verse 24). During the future seven-year Tribulation Christ will reoffer this kingdom to the Jewish nation and at that time they will accept it.
In the first parable, the treasure in a field represents national Israel in the world, and the man represents Christ. The treasure’s hidden state shows Israel’s apostasy while they are dispersed among the nations. The uncovering of the treasure refers to Christ’s offer of the kingdom to first-century Israel (Matthew 15:24). The re-hiding of the treasure refers to Israel’s rejection of this kingdom offer (Matthew 12; John 1:11) and subsequent divine discipline (Deuteronomy 32:28-29). The purchase of the field refers to Christ’s death for Israel’s sins (2 Peter 2:1). The implicit coming again of the man to obtain the treasure refers to Israel’s conversion toward the end of the future seven-year Tribulation right before Jesus’s 2nd Coming. Israel will someday be re-gathered and restored by the One who paid a great price for them – Jesus Christ.
So, the parable of the earthen treasure teaches that although Christ came to purchase Israel, the nation will remain in unbelief throughout the mystery age and will not be converted until the age’s conclusion.
In the second parable, the precious pearl speaks of the church that is never hidden but is also purchased by the highest price— the death of Jesus Christ. It refers to the fact that Christ’s death will redeem many Gentiles and Jews throughout the present mystery age. Although evil will increase throughout this age, God’s redemptive program will also at the same time advance. Christ taught in this parable His desire for, the value of, and the price He would pay for all who would place their faith/trust in Christ in the present mystery age. The disciples likely needed this encouragement and comfort when they discovered that evil will continue to progress in the new age as they learned in prior parables in Matthew 13.
Sources Used
Bing, Charles C. Grace, Salvation, and Discipleship: How to Understand Some Difficult Bible Passages. Grace Theology Press, 90.
Woods, Andrew M. The Coming Kingdom: What Is the Kingdom and How Is Kingdom Now Theology Changing the Focus of the Church? Grace Gospel Press, chapter 10.