THE PARABLE OF THE HIDDEN TREASURE

Matthew 13:44-14:12

Key Verse 13:44

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

This passage is the conclusion to the first section of parables about the kingdom of heaven. This passage tells us what we should do when we hear the message of the kingdom and gives examples of some who did not have the right response. We are encouraged to do everything to find secure the kingdom of heaven and to be found by the kingdom of heaven ultimately. 

Read verses 44-46. Why do you think the kingdom of heaven is described using the word "hidden" and as something to be looked for or found? How much did the men pay for their treasure? Why were they willing to pay so much? What does this teach about the kingdom of heaven? 

** These words and description tell us that there is action on our part that must take place. It is not so easily discovered. This is related to the value of the kingdom of heaven and tells how it is found. 

** The first man “sold all he had” and the second man “sold everything he had” to secure the treasure they had found. 

** Because what they found was more valuable than everything had already had or were looking for. In the case of the man who bought the land, the hidden treasure was more valuable than any other thing he already had. In the case of the merchant, the pearl was more valuable than what he used to sell. He was not going to sell this pearl that he found. In fact, he sold everything he had to secure that pearl for himself. 

** Chapter 13 has especially emphasized a person’s understanding when hearing the word of God. This understanding is on different levels and is related to a persons heart, eyes, etc, being open, willing to listen, and committed. 

>Find this treasure is the finding of the kingdom of heaven. When we hear the word of God and accept it with understanding, that is a great treasure we have received(13:11). But what do we do with that treasure? Once we get even one word and accept it with understanding, we should treat it like the men in these parables treated the treasure they found.

>>The kingdom of heaven is the most valuable treasure. It costs “everything.” These parables shows the extent to which we too have to “pay” to secure the kingdom of heaven in our lives. Yet we experience the kingdom of heaven in doing all we can to secure it. We have great joy. 

>>>The disciples up to this point have shown a good example about what this means practically. Peter, Andrew, James, and John were willing to leave their boats and work and even family behind for the sake of the kingdom of heaven when Jesus called them. Jesus had challenged a man who wanted to bury his father before following Jesus to “let the dead bury their own dead, [but] follow me” (Matthew 8:22). But as the disciples’ example, as well as the parable, demonstrate, the kingdom of heaven is worthy our “everything.” We lose everything in this world, but we gain everything in the kingdom of heaven which is eternal and of God. Jesus is motivating them to pay the price and overcome “disciple’s hangover.” 

Abraham in Genesis is another good example. He heard one word of God (Gen 12:1-3) and basically “sold” all he had to secure that treasure (i.e., his country, his people, his father’s household, etc.). Throughout his story in Genesis, God emphasizes that one word continually to Abraham and he built his life of faith and great reward in God and in heaven based on that one word which Abraham was willing to give everything for—even his son Isaac.  

The Apostle Paul is still another good example. He says in Philippians 3:7-8: “7But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ”

Read verses 47-50. What does this parable teach about what will happen to the people in this world? When will this sorting event happen? Who will be kept and who will be thrown out? What will happen to the wicked? 

**This parable is very similar to the parable of the weeds in that it talks about the final judgment. Just as the man who bought land and the merchant secured what was valuable, the kingdom of heaven will also secure what it finds valuable—in fact, this parable teaches that the kingdom of heaven will also secure what it finds as valuable.

>The kingdom of heaven will gather and separate all people into two categories, just like the good fish going into a basket and the bad fish being thrown out.

** “This is how it will be at the end of the age.” (49)

**Good fish are kept, and the bad fish are thrown out. But who will be considered at “good fish” and who will be considered a “bad fish”? These “fish” refer to the “wicked and the righteous” (49b). Who will be considered wicked and who righteous? The righteous refers to those who found and secured the kingdom of heaven during their lives. They are the ones that will be found by the kingdom of heaven and secured in it. They are those who accepted the word of God and committed themselves to Jesus by faith. All others fall into the second category of people who will be thrown out.

**Jesus emphasizes what will happen to the wicked. Verse 49b-50: “The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Right now the wicked and righteous are living in this world together. It is like the weeds and the wheat in the previous parable. But it will not be like that forever. The wicked will be separated and dealt with accordingly. >We should not be envious of the people who fall into this category or desire what they have. We should not accuse God of ignoring the wicked or treating the righteous the same as he does the wicked. Although the fish may not notice, the net has been let down. There will come a time with the net is lifted and then the fish will be separated. God is working according to his own time schedule. 

Read verses 51-52. What question did Jesus ask his disciples? What did Jesus say about the importance of "understanding" at the beginning of these teachings (the parable of the sower)? (13:13, 23) How is this related to “teachers of the law” and “old and new treasures”? 

** He asked them if they “understood all these things,” meaning, the parables and teachings of the kingdom of heaven. 

** Understanding is critical. It is the key to receiving the kingdom of heaven and bearing fruit in this life. Understanding also leads to turning to God and then healing. Now, at the end of these teachings, Jesus asked his disciples if they understood “all these things.” 

** The disciples answered, “Yes,” to Jesus’ question about understanding. Then he made a statement about teachers of the law bringing out new treasures as well as old ones from the storehouse. The “teachers of the law” referred to the experts in the Old Testament who were teachers. For one, Jesus’ statement shows that the teaching of the kingdom of heaven is found in the Scriptures. 

The disciples probably did not think of themselves as part of the category of people called “teachers of the law.” But in saying this to his disciples, Jesus revealed that in receiving the secrets of the kingdom of heaven they had a duty and upgraded status as teachers of the kingdom as well—because they understood it. And as servants of the message of the kingdom of heaven, they had to know how to bring the treasure out. 

>>It is very important on the part of the servant of the message of the kingdom of heaven to find the treasure and know how to bring it out so that people can hear and understand it. Then it will bear fruit in their lives (produce a crop), and turn to God and be healed. It also served as a warning against the wrong teaching of the current teachers of the law. 

Why were the people of Jesus' hometown amazed at him? (54) Yet, why did they take offense at him? (55-56) How did Jesus respond to them? (57b-58) Why is it that Jesus did not do many miracles "because of their lack of faith"?

** Look at verse 54. They asked where Jesus got his “wisdom and these miraculous powers.”

** They were too familiar with his family background which was not so impressive. He was offensive to them. So, they rejected Jesus because of this reason. 

** He did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith. Those people missed out on the kingdom of heaven in Jesus. 

** There is a connection between faith and the miracles that Jesus performed. Jesus was not performing miracles as a performance or show. Matthew’s gospel has many examples were Jesus says that a miracle was performed because of someone’s faith. So he made a distinct connection between this work of God and peoples faith. He did miracles because he saw their faith. 

How did Herod respond to the reports about Jesus? (14:1-2) What had Herod done to John the Baptist? (14:3-11) Why? Did Herod listen to the right person? How can his situation be viewed according to the parables Jesus gave in 13:44-50?

** Look at 14:1-2. He had a similar response to that of the people. He was amazed at the “miraculous powers” Jesus had worked. He even thought that it was John the Baptist come back to life from the dead.

** He had John imprisoned and then beheaded.

** John had told Herod that having his brother’s wife was not right. Basically, he challenged Herod to repent. But Herod didn’t want to listen to John. He listened to the people of this world and had John killed. 

** No way.

** He had received a hidden treasure in John the Baptist who spent personal time with Herod. Yet Herod chose to be valued and accept by this world instead and listened to the evil request to have John beheaded. >>Being accepted by others is a strong desire that every person has. But living to be accepted by the people of this world led Herod to reject the message of the kingdom of heaven, become a murderer, and become an enemy of the kingdom of heaven. He went in the exact opposite way he should have gone with his life.