| Geneva Study Bible Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: People's New Testament 13:45 Like unto a merchantman seeking goodly pearls. Pearls were then esteemed as the most valuable ornaments, and were sought by merchants on distant shores, the most valuable being brought from the Indian Ocean. Wesley's Notes 13:45 The kingdom of heaven - That is, one who earnestly seeks for Scofield Reference Notes [3] pearls The true Church, "one body" formed by the Holy Spirit 1Cor 12:12,13. As Israel is the hid treasure, Song the Church is the pearl of great cost. Covering the same period of time as the mysteries of the kingdom, is the mystery of the Church Rom 16:25,26 Eph 3:3-10 Eph 5:32. Of the true Church a pearl is a perfect symbol: (1) A pearl is one, a perfect symbol of unity 1Cor 10:17 12:12,13 Eph 4:4-6. (2) a pearl is formed by the accretion, and that not mechanically, but vitally, through a living one, as Christ adds to the Church Acts 2:41,47 5:14 11:24 Eph 2:21 Col 2:19. (3) Christ, having given Himself for the pearl, is now preparing it for presentation to Himself Eph 5:25-27. The kingdom is not the Church, but the true children of the kingdom during the fulfilment of these mysteries, baptized by one Spirit into one body 1Cor 12:12,13 compose the true Church, the pearl. Margin kingdom See Scofield Note: "Mt 3:2". Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 45. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchantman, seeking goodly pearls. 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. | 
