MATTHEW 13:44 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.”
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. The hidden treasure parable is the fifth: a man finds treasure hidden in a field, covers it again, and sells everything he has to buy the field. The all that he has communicates the cost and the completeness of the commitment: the kingdom is worth everything. The joy that drives the sale — in his joy he goes — communicates that the sacrifice feels like the best trade in the world to the one who has found the treasure.
Church Fathers on Matthew 13:44
The foregoing parables of the leaven, and the grain of mustard-seed, are referred to the power of the Gospel preaching, which has subdued the whole world; in order to shew its value and splendour, He now puts forth parables concerning a pearl and a treasure, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field.'
This treasure is indeed found without cost; for the Gospel preaching is open to all, but to use and possess the treasure with its field we may not without price, for heavenly riches are not obtained without the loss of this world.
That he hides it, does not proceed of envy towards others, but as one that treasures up what he would not lose, he hides in his heart that which he prizes above his former possessions.
Read all 6 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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