Mt 13:44-46
Chapter 13
44
The kingdom of heaven is like a hidden treasure in a field. The person who finds it buries it again, and so happy is he that he sells everything he has to buy that field.
Parable of the Hidden Treasure
45
Parable of the Fine Pearl
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a trader searching for fine pearls.
46
Once he finds a pearl of exceptional quality, he leaves, sells everything he has, and buys it.
Commentaries
Parable of the Hidden Treasure – Parable of the Fine Pearl – Parable of the Net.
The first two parables highlight the value of the kingdom of God, to which all other values must be sacrificed. The parable of the net emphasizes the outcome of the kingdom, just as the parable of the weeds has already shown us: fire will destroy the weeds and the rotten fish. Jesus did not hesitate to use this imagery, which was part of his culture and which Matthew wanted to preserve (5:22; 7:19; 13:30; 25:41). He does not intend to threaten or instill fear, but to emphasize the extraordinary importance of the gift being offered and the decisive nature of our response.