Two Further Parables of the Kingly Rule of Heaven (13:44-46).
Each of the next three parables commences with ‘the Kingly Rule of Heaven is like unto --.' The first two are basically parallel pictures, but in the first case the man, who would seem to be relatively poor, comes across the treasure by accident, in the second the merchant, who is wealthy, comes across his precious pearl after a continual search. Both, however, give all that they have in order to obtain the Kingly Rule of Heaven.
These two parables parallel the parables of the mustard seed and the leaven. Just as the leaven was hidden in the meal, so the treasure is hidden in the field. And just as the seed became the largest herb of all, so the merchant finds the largest, most expensive pearl of all. Thus it is emphasised that the Kingly Rule of Heaven must be valued above everything else, and is indeed the biggest thing in life.
Analysis.
a “The kingly rule of heaven is like to a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found, and hid, and in his joy he goes and sells all that he has, and buys that field” (Matthew 13:44).
a “Again, the kingly rule of heaven is like to a man who is a merchant seeking goodly pearls, and having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it” (Matthew 13:45-46).