| Geneva Study Bible {7} 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. (7) Few men understand how great the riches of the kingdom of heaven are, and that no man can be a partaker of them but he that redeems them with the loss of all his goods. People's New Testament 13:44 The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hidden in a field. Valuables which, with us, are entrusted to banks, are in the East buried in fields and gardens to save them from robbers and accidents. The parable teaches the immense value, priceless, of the gospel; and that one who finds out that value will give up everything else in order to possess himself of the privileges and hopes of the kingdom. Wesley's Notes 13:44 The three following parables are proposed, not to the multitude, but peculiarly to the apostles: the two former of them relate to those who receive the Gospel; the third, both to those who receive, and those who preach it. The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hid in a field - The kingdom of God within us is a treasure indeed, but a treasure hid from the world, and from the most wise and prudent in it. He that finds this treasure, (perhaps when he thought it far from him,) hides it deep in his heart, and gives up all other happiness for it. Scofield Reference Notes [2] hid The interpretation of the parable of the treasure, which makes the buyer of the field to be a sinner who is seeking Christ, has no warrant in the parable itself. The field is defined (v. 38) to be the world. The seeking sinner does not buy, but forsakes, the world to win Christ. Furthermore, the sinner has nothing to sell, nor is Christ for sale, nor is He hidden in a field, nor, having found Christ, does the sinner hide Him again (cf) Mk 7:24 Acts 4:20. At every point the interpretation breaks down. Our Lord is the buyer at the awful cost of His blood 1Pet 1:18, and Israel, especially Ephraim Jer 31:5-12,18-20, the lost tribes hidden in "the field," the world (v. 38), is the treasure Ex 19:5 Ps 135:4. Again, as in the separation of tares and wheat, the angels are used Mt 24:31 Jer 16:16. The divine Merchantman buys the field (world) for the sake of the treasure (v. 44) Rom 11:28, beloved for the fathers' sakes, and yet to be restored and saved. The note of joy (v. 44) is also that of the prophets in view of Israel's restoration. Dt 30:9 Isa 49:13 52:1-3 62:4-7 65:18,19. (See "Israel,") Gen 11:10 Rom 11:26. Margin kingdom See Scofield Note: "Mt 3:2" Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 44. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field-no uncommon thing in unsettled and half-civilized countries, even now as well as in ancient times, when there was no other way of securing it from the rapacity of neighbors or marauders. (Jer 41:8; Job 3:21; Pr 2:4). the which when a man hath found-that is, unexpectedly found. he hideth, and for joy thereof-on perceiving what a treasure he had lighted on, surpassing the worth of all he possessed. goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field-in which case, by Jewish law, the treasure would become his own. The Pearl of Great Price (Mt 13:45, 46). Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 13:44-52 Here are four parables. 1. That of the treasure hid in the field. Many slight the gospel, because they look only upon the surface of the field. But all who search the Scriptures, so as in them to find Christ and eternal life, Joh 5:39, will discover such treasure in this field as makes it unspeakably valuable; they make it their own upon any terms. Though nothing can be given as a price for this salvation, yet much must be given up for the sake of it. 2. All the children of men are busy; one would be rich, another would be honourable, another would be learned; but most are deceived, and take up with counterfeits for pearls. Jesus Christ is a Pearl of great price; in having him, we have enough to make us happy here and for ever. A man may buy gold too dear, but not this Pearl of great price. When the convinced sinner sees Christ as the gracious Saviour, all things else become worthless to his thoughts. 3. The world is a vast sea, and men, in their natural state, are like the fishes. Preaching the gospel is casting a net into this sea, to catch something out of it, for His glory who has the sovereignty of this sea. Hypocrites and true Christians shall be parted: miserable is the condition of those that shall then be cast away. 4. A skilful, faithful minister of the gospel, is a scribe, well versed in the things of the gospel, and able to teach them. Christ compares him to a good householder, who brings forth fruits of last year's growth and this year's gathering, abundance and variety, to entertain his friends. Old experiences and new observations, all have their use. Our place is at Christ's feet, and we must daily learn old lessons over again, and new ones also. | 
