Interpretation of the Pearl of Great Price; Matthew 13:45-46

[Scribe]

Thus the kingdom as present is also Good News. In the twin parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great value (Matt 13:44 – 46), the emphasis is on the joy of discovery. The kingdom overtakes the one; it is sought by the other. In joy they liquidate their holdings for the treasure and the pearl. The kingdom is not the treasure; and it is not the pearl. The kingdom is God’s gift. The “discovery” of the kingdom brings unutterable joy. You will notice how this same motif is thoroughgoing also in the three parables of the lost things in Luke 15. This, then, is how one needs to learn to read and study the parables. They are not to be allegorized. They are to be heard — heard as calls to respond to Jesus and his mission.

Fee, Gordon D.. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth (p. 165). Zondervan Academic. Kindle Edition.

 

[garee]

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

LOL Not interested in studying. . searching as for sliver, gold or pearls seeking the understanding of that parable.?

Are you then accusing me of trampling under the foot the pearl (the gospel )?

Google says search using the proper tools for rightly dividing parables, the signified understanding. Google does not bite. Give him a try.

2 Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Prove it means what you offered ? By rightly dividing the parables .

Its a little early for snow men (¯\_(ツ)_/¯) even here in Wisconsin

 

[garee]

Thus the kingdom as present is also Good News. In the twin parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great value (Matt 13:44 – 46), the emphasis is on the joy of discovery. The kingdom overtakes the one; it is sought by the other. In joy they liquidate their holdings for the treasure and the pearl. The kingdom is not the treasure; and it is not the pearl. The kingdom is God’s gift. The “discovery” of the kingdom brings unutterable joy. You will notice how this same motif is thoroughgoing also in the three parables of the lost things in Luke 15. This, then, is how one needs to learn to read and study the parables. They are not to be allegorized. They are to be heard — heard as calls to respond to Jesus and his mission.

Fee, Gordon D.. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth (p. 165). Zondervan Academic. Kindle Edition.

I would agree the kingdom as present (not of this world" is the result of hearing the Good News, Gospel greater than the values of gold stone or a pearls drawn from the sea the multitude of humanity . .

It reveals the hidden things of God . like yeast hid in the whole loaf causing Christ in us to increase. as we decrease. Or hidden manna (the bread of unfamiliarity . . ."God is not a man") in Revelation 2:17 They are allegorized to give us ears to hear hear His poetic understanding or tongue . Without parables he spoke not. They teach us how to walk by our new faith.

 

[posthuman]

In the twin parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great value (Matt 13:44 – 46), the emphasis is on the joy of discovery.

when He finds His lost sheep He carries it home on His shoulder, rejoicing.

 

[posthuman]

There is no lesson that it was a field other than it was useful to the point.

i'm of the opinion that God doesn't use random examples.
that all He says is perfect and meaningful, not meaningless or arbitrary.

He said, those who do not have, even what they do will be taken -- by the speaking of parables.
do those people 'get the big picture' when they hear it? does it all sound like nonsense to them or does it sound like mostly arbitrary details with a hint of a good moral?

He said, those who have, will receive more. by the hearing of a parable.
do such people skip past all the details, learning nothing from them, considering them meaningless?
gaining little more than the 'big picture moral' which, you say, is "give up everything in order to procure Him" ?

if i'm giving up everything in order to purchase Him, i think i would be hanging on His every word.

 

[posthuman]

could someone ask Mssr. Fee ---

are these sayings about Him -- are they teaching about knowledge of God -- or are they about you?
is Jesus revealing the Father or writing a self-help book.

ok thx

 

[Scribe]

could someone ask Mssr. Fee ---

are these sayings about Him -- are they teaching about knowledge of God -- or are they about you?
is Jesus revealing the Father or writing a self-help book.

ok thx

It was about how to interpret the literature genre called parables so as not to teach a bunch of esoteric ideas the author never intended. One of the most common reasons people make mistakes in interpretations is because they have violated one of the rules of interpretation. Taking into consideration what genre or type of literature you are reading is one of the rules. Is it a parable, allegory, prophecy, apocalyptic, poetry, etc...? If one interprets a parable as a prophecy they could teach something that is erroneous. I know it sounds like common sense but it is not commonly understood at all and many need to be taught hermeneutics in our churches.

 

[TheDivineWatermark]

Speaking of "parables," I agree with the quote by Ice, below (middle section of this post):

[quoting an old post of mine]


Mark 4:10-12 -
The Purpose of Jesus' Parables
(Matthew 13:10-17)

10 And when He was alone, those around Him with the Twelve began asking Him about the parable.
11 And He was saying to them, “To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but to those who are outside, everything is done in parables, 12 so that,
‘Seeing, they might see and not perceive;
and hearing, they might hear and not understand;
lest ever they should turn,
and they should be forgiven.’(a)”
[...]
33 And with many such parables He kept speaking the word to them, as they were able to hear, 34 and He would not speak to them without parables; but privately He would explain all things to His own disciples.

_______

[quoting Thomas Ice-]

"Five Parabolic Illustrations

"[re: Matt24] These parables or illustrations of Jesus are as follows: First, the fig tree illustration (24:32- 35); second, the days of Noah illustration (24:36- 39); third, a comparison of two men and women illustration (24:40- 41); fourth, the faithful house holder illustration (24:42- 44); and fifth, the wise servant illustration (24:45- 51).

"These five parables are important lessons that relate to Israel. In fact, I would go so far as to say that all the parables in the New Testament relate directly to Israel. Often they relate to Israel's rejection of Jesus as their Messiah and speak of consequences that will flow from such an act. Christ told His disciples in Matthew 13:10-17 that He would speak to "this people" (Israel) in order to blind them to the truth because of their rejection of Jesus as the Messiah. However, believers could come to understand the meaning of His parables because we are receptive of the revelation offered by Christ. Therefore, they all relate to Israel in some way, shape, or form and usually tell us something about God's plan for the future.

"The parables within the Olivet Discourse, when they speak of a coming, all relate to the second coming and not the rapture of the church. This is true because the entire Olivet Discourse was given to Israel and relates to her tribulation and Christ's return at the end of that period. Truths relating to the rapture of the church are revealed exclusively in the New Testament Epistles, which were written specifically for the purpose of explaining the intent and nature of the Church age. [...]"

--Dr Thomas Ice [commentary on Matt24-25]

[end quoting Ice]
_______


[TDW] There is ONE PARABLE that was given "in this present age [singular]," during the time "the Church which is His body" exists on the earth [note: Eph1:20-23 WHEN], which I believe works for the same purposes/to the same end ("seeing, might see and not perceive; and hearing, they might hear and not understand")... and that is the "PARABLE" (which I mentioned earlier) referred to in Hebrews 9:8-9a, [quoted only in part, here]:

"By this the Holy Spirit was signifying that the way into the holy places has not yet been made manifest, the *first* tabernacle [the one in the wilderness, per the "furnishings" of v.4] still having A STANDING [G4714 - stasin/stasis]. which is A PARABLE for the present time..."

[...<snip>...]

[end quoting that old post]


____________

Again, I believe the phrase "the kingdom OF THE heavenS" (like, in 13:24 and context) refers to an earthly-located context/setting.

[the last of these being] The "net cast into the sea" (where the "good" are "gathered into vessels" and the "but cast the bad away") parallels Matthew 25:31-34 and context (Sheep and goats OF THE NATIONS[/Gentiles]-plural [/i.e. sea]), who are "separated" at the time of His Second Coming TO THE EARTH (not at "our Rapture"), for example.


The disciples' Q of Him in Matt24:3 [Olivet Discourse] was BASED ON what Jesus had ALREADY spoken to them about in Matt13:24,30,39,40,49-50... "the end [singular] of the age [singular]"... when the angels will "REAP"

 

[Lion222]

I think the point of the pearl is the same as that of treasure in the field.
The price to be paid was your everything what you got as a result you never could afford.
Kind of like finding a very rare watch at the pawn shop but it would cost you everything you had but you could never afford it at full price.

Christ could afford and did pay full price.

 

[Scribe]

I think the point of the pearl is the same as that of treasure in the field.
The price to be paid was your everything what you got as a result you never could afford.
Kind of like finding a very rare watch at the pawn shop but it would cost you everything you had but you could never afford it at full price.

Christ could afford and did pay full price.

I like the watch at the pawnshop illustration. It is exactly the point.

I think Paul understood the parable the best when he said all that he was trying to accomplish by being a Pharisee of the Pharisees, he now considered dung that he might win Christ. We know that he meant that he gave that up when he discovered that righteousness was to be obtained by faith in Christ. He gained access to the Kingdom of Heaven that day.

 

[Lion222]

I like the watch at the pawnshop illustration. It is exactly the point.

I think Paul understood the parable the best when he said all that he was trying to accomplish by being a Pharisee of the Pharisees, he now considered dung that he might win Christ. We know that he meant that he gave that up when he discovered that righteousness was to be obtained by faith in Christ. He gained access to the Kingdom of Heaven that day.

Seriously after you have experience God for real how can you go back to how it was before?

 

[Benadam]

The “discovery” of the kingdom brings unutterable joy

eternal life is this imho. That awe that accompanies a discovery.

 

[garee]

I think the point of the pearl is the same as that of treasure in the field.
The price to be paid was your everything what you got as a result you never could afford.
Kind of like finding a very rare watch at the pawn shop but it would cost you everything you had but you could never afford it at full price.

Christ could afford and did pay full price.

Amen the gospel, the pearl of great price greater than all the riches of this world. Hid in the parables, the gospel understanding. Pearl, described in Revelation 21 as the 12 gates we enter into. . the wonders inside. In that same series of parables Mathew 13 yeast to represent the gospel hid inside causing growth.

Job 28 makes a excellent commentary of Mathew 13. The gospel hid in our new born again hearts.

Job 28: 12-22 But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding? Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living. The depth saith, It is not in me: and the sea saith, It is not with me. It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof. It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire. The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold. No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies. The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold. Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding? Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air.
Destruction and death say, We have heard the fame thereof with our ears. g.

Twice above to emphasize a matter he asks; " where shall wisdom be found and (or with) where is the place of understanding?"

Where can I go. . who can I ask?

Both where and how.

I would ask. How do we rightly divide the parables? I would suggest the following verses give us the understanding.

Job 28: 23-28 God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof. For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven; To make the weight for the winds; and he weigheth the waters by measure. When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder: Then did he see it, and declare it; he prepared it, yea, and searched it out.And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understandin

 

[Lion222]

Amen the gospel, the pearl of great price greater than all the riches of this world. Hid in the parables, the gospel understanding. Pearl, described in Revelation 21 as the 12 gates we enter into. . the wonders inside. In that same series of parables Mathew 13 yeast to represent the gospel hid inside causing growth.

Job 28 makes a excellent commentary of Mathew 13. The gospel hid in our new born again hearts.

Job 28: 12-22 But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding? Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living. The depth saith, It is not in me: and the sea saith, It is not with me. It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof. It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire. The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold. No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies. The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold. Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding? Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air.
Destruction and death say, We have heard the fame thereof with our ears. g.

Twice above to emphasize a matter he asks; " where shall wisdom be found and (or with) where is the place of understanding?"

Where can I go. . who can I ask?

Both where and how.

I would ask. How do we rightly divide the parables? I would suggest the following verses give us the understanding.

Job 28: 23-28 God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof. For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven; To make the weight for the winds; and he weigheth the waters by measure. When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder: Then did he see it, and declare it; he prepared it, yea, and searched it out.And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understandin

First, Beautiful!

I think the parables are so plain that we dare not see them.

Each opens with the explanation that they are about the kingdom of heaven.
So we rightly consider them in the context of heaven and Gods kingdom.
Stories to teach us how it all works.
But to take them at face value and as authoritative regrading salvation runs against many modern well liked understandings (doctrines) regarding the salvation of God and the kingdom of God. So they are usually discounted as applying directly even though each one says otherwise.

 

[Prycejosh1987]

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46) Who, when he had found one pearl of great price , went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

What do you think is the interpretation of this parable? Is it that God is the merchant man and we are the pearl and God gave his Son to purchase our redemption, or is it we are the merchant man and when we recognize the value of the Kingdom of God (Jesus and all that he did for us and offers us) that we will depart from everything that we use to hold dear to gain Christ which is far better than anything this world has to offer?

Most commentaries give the last interpretation but I have heard both presented. What do you think Jesus intended his disciples (and us) to understand?

That is a good question. I think is refers to great sacrifice, Jesus also said that in heaven the greater one serves. He even models the kingdom of God to be like the kingdom of heaven. I believe the pearl is the message of eternal life. He also said do not cast pearls before swine. I think the pearls in these verses have the same biblical definition. It requires us to sacrifice our whole lives for an opportunity to go to heaven. We are sacrificing all that we can see for something we cant. Jesus's word is a pearl and we give our lives to follow it.

 

[Scribe]

That is a good question. I think is refers to great sacrifice, Jesus also said that in heaven the greater one serves. He even models the kingdom of God to be like the kingdom of heaven. I believe the pearl is the message of eternal life. He also said do not cast pearls before swine. I think the pearls in these verses have the same biblical definition. It requires us to sacrifice our whole lives for an opportunity to go to heaven. We are sacrificing all that we can see for something we cant. Jesus's word is a pearl and we give our lives to follow it.

The statement do not cast your pearls before swine unless they tread them down and tear you, I would consider more of a proverb than a parable. The pearl is obviously your words of wisdom or truths or advice that should be considered of great value if the person had discernment but they don't so why waste your time.

 

[Scribe]

That is a good question. I think is refers to great sacrifice, Jesus also said that in heaven the greater one serves. He even models the kingdom of God to be like the kingdom of heaven. I believe the pearl is the message of eternal life. He also said do not cast pearls before swine. I think the pearls in these verses have the same biblical definition. It requires us to sacrifice our whole lives for an opportunity to go to heaven. We are sacrificing all that we can see for something we cant. Jesus's word is a pearl and we give our lives to follow it.

I do not see the pearl in the parable and the pearl in the proverb needing to mean a particular thing that is consistently the same whenever the word pearl is used.

The treasure in the field and the pearl that was more valuable than other pearls both mean the same thing. Entering the Kingdom of God, Gods way, through Jesus Christ.


6Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

So we see here in the proverb the pearl is that which is holy. Such as trying to explain the holy things of God to a someone who is hostile to Jesus Christ. Also swine must not be over analyzed as dogs work just as well in the proverb. Therefore whether you use the word pearl or Gold Bars your point would be the same.

We cannot take the word pearl and then look for it in the bible and replace it with the phrase "word of God". This would be bad heremeutics. I will not argue with someone who insists on doing this however. That would be like casting my.. LOL just kidding.