Matthew 13:44
Monday, 20 October 2025
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Matthew 13:44
“Again, the kingdom of the heavens, it is like treasure having been concealed in the field, which a man, having found, he concealed, and from the joy of it, he withdraws and all that he has he sells and he buys that field” (CG).
In the previous verse, Jesus finished the explanation of the parable of the darnel. He next continues, saying, “Again, the kingdom of the heavens, it is like treasure having been concealed in the field.”
The parable of the darnel began in a similar manner. That was shown to be a parable not specifically intended for the church age, but for those who would or would not enter the millennial kingdom. This parable cannot be speaking of believers in the church.
There is nothing concealed about the gospel. It is something that has been, and continues to be, openly proclaimed throughout the world. Although nobody knows the gospel until it is told to them, it is a message that is proclaimed through preaching, tracts, knocking on doors, etc. Jesus continues His words, saying, “which a man, having found, he concealed.”
Ok, it’s true. Too many Christians hear the gospel and never bother telling anyone else. They don’t particularly care about evangelizing, handing out tracts, knocking on doors, or otherwise getting out of their safe space. They just hide it away. But that is not what one is supposed to do when hearing the gospel and accepting it.
This person found treasure in a field that doesn’t belong to him. He hides it there, quite happy about his secret, “and from the joy of it, he withdraws.”
When someone receives the gospel, believing the message he heard, he is sealed with the Spirit. It is a done deal. There is no “coming back later” to secure the deal when the gospel is heard. It is ours at that moment, or whatever moment we finally decide to believe. As for the parable, Jesus next says, “and all that he has he sells and he buys that field.”
A new word is seen, agorazó, to go to market, but by implication to purchase. Unless you are dealing with false teachers bearing a false gospel, there is no purchasing the gospel. It ain’t for sale. Believers do not need to wait. They do not need to sell anything. Nor do they need to buy the gospel. They only need to believe.
The parable is referring not to individuals but to Jesus. It is the same idea as that of the Parable of the Sower –
*Another parable He near-set them, saying, “It is likened, the kingdom of the heavens, to a man having sown good seed in his field.”
*Again, the kingdom of the heavens, it is like treasure having been concealed in the field, which a man, having found, he concealed...
The field is the world (Matthew 13:38). Jesus is the man. The devil holds possession of the world (Matthew 4:9). Jesus was willing to forsake all, giving up everything in order to regain possession of the world.
There can be no kingdom until He accomplishes this task. But in His death, He made the purchase for all humanity possible (1 Corinthians 6:20, etc.). In His completed work, the kingdom is realized. Jesus explained this to Pilate in John 18:33-37. This is why Pilate ensured the words THE KING OF THE JEWS were inscribed on the title above Jesus’ head.
Life application: It is true that this interpretation of the parable goes against the standard interpretation given throughout the church age. However, it is the only one that fits the typology of what is being conveyed.
Unfortunately, this parable has been so abused with faulty analyses over the past two thousand years that far too many people actually believe that they have to forsake everything in order to be saved. Even websites that normally provide a competent analysis of Scripture devolve into this.
They have to mix dispensations and take verses out of context in order to explain something to the church that has nothing to do with the church.
To be sure it is understood, let’s review the gospel. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4 that the gospel he preached and by which, when you believe, you are saved is –
1) Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.
2) He was buried, and
3) He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.
That is it. When you believe, you are saved. At that time, Paul says –
In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were
*Sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is
*The guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession
All of this is “to the praise of His glory.”
You hear the word, you believe, you are saved, and you are sealed. That is it. Be sure to accept the wonderful gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ today!
Lord God, thank You for the saving message of Jesus. Amen.
