Matthew 13:44-58

Fifth Sunday After Pentecost, July 24th 2011
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16)

This week’s Gospel reading: Matthew 13:44-58

Let’s Start Looking
a. Where does the passage “sit” within the immediate scripture around it?
The three parables here complete the set of seven that Matthew records Jesus using as he teaches the crowds from the boat (Mt 13:1-3a). The completion of these parables is followed by accounts of the opposition brewing as Jesus’ mission continues, and the execution of John the Baptist (Mt 14:1-12).

b. How does it fit into the overall structure of the Gospel attributed to John?
This week’s passage comes within Jesus’ ministry in Galilee. However, with the growing opposition in Galilee we see here, Jesus’ ministry in this place appears to be drawing to a close. The inevitability of Jesus leaving Galilee and ultimately heading to Jerusalem for the dramatic climax and confrontation is set by this passage.
The parables in our passage continue highlighting the division and sharply contrasting responses evoked by the Kingdom – themes dominant throughout the parables. The parables may then be seen to explain the belief and unbelief Jesus’ person and preaching met.

c. How does the passage contribute to what the author wants to say?
The main message of Matthew’s Gospel is that Jesus is the promised Messiah, Son of God (Mt 1:1-17, 18, 20, 23; 2:15; 3:17; 4:3, 6) who brings the Kingdom (reign) of God (Mt 4:17; 12:28; 28:18). The three parables in this present passage describe what the ‘kingdom is like’ (Mt 13:44, 45, 47). They together help us understand how precious the kingdom is and that judgment will be a function of the kingdom. The kingdom of God will produce division and opposition and verses 53-58 show Jesus experiencing this opposition, even on his “home turf”.

d. Can this passage (or parts of it) be found elsewhere in the Bible?
The parables in our passage do not occur elsewhere in the Bible and our passage does not quote other parts.
Verses 54-58 are paralleled in Mark 6:1-6.
The tradition of prophets being persecuted and, more particularly, being rejected by their own town, has a good Biblical pedigree. See for example, Jeremiah 1:1 and 11:21

e. How does the passage help our understanding of God, Jesus, humanity, God’s salvation, our life together as Christians and discipleship?
The parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl (Mt 13:44-46) both highlight how precious the gospel is. It is valuable beyond anything else and therefore worth giving up everything for.
Both parables encourage us to do anything we can to be part of God’s kingdom. In both parables the character sells all he had to gain the treasure or the pearl (Jesus and the kingdom). These two parables also suggest that there are different paths in discipleship. The treasure is found by accident, while the pearl is found after a deliberate search. Regardless of the way we have come across the kingdom, we need to recognise its utmost importance and do whatever we can to be part of it.
Discipleship entails giving up everything in order to live with Jesus as King. This theme is repeated in Matthew’s Gospel – see 8:18-22; 10:37-39; 16:24-28. Our parables stress the inestimable treasure (cf. Mt 13:52) and sheer joy that such surrender brings.
The parable of the net (Mt 13:47-50) echoes the theme and language of the parable of the weeds, specifically the description of the separation of humankind at the Judgment (cf. Mt 13:40-43 with 13:47-50).
The verses (51-52) which immediately follow indicate that understanding Jesus’ message is the basis of being “righteous” (cf. Mt 13:49). This spiritual understanding (or illumination) is sovereignly and graciously given by Jesus to the disciples and sets them apart from the rest for whom the ‘secrets of the kingdom of heaven’ (Mt 13:11) remain a secret (see Mt 13:12-15; cf. 11:25-27). The obvious importance of this ‘understanding’ is underlined by Jesus’ repeated reference to it – see 13:11-17, 19, 23, 51.
In verse 52 Jesus links this ‘understanding’ with the consequent responsibility of the disciples to be teachers of the kingdom. They will be Jesus’ authorised eyewitnesses to his life, teaching, death and resurrection, using the treasure of the Old Testament to proclaim the Treasure of the gospel of Christ. The rest of the New Testament allows us to apply this description secondarily to the ministry of all Christian teachers and preachers.
The rejection of Jesus in his hometown (Mt 13:53-58) points forward to the rejection he will receive precipitating his death. It also illustrates the parables’ point (shows us) that Jesus’ words expect this opposition as we seek to share the gospel.

Let’s look at the historical setting
a. What’s the historical, political, social or geographical information that helps us understand the passage more?
13:44: Treasures were often buried for safekeeping as there were no banks. Stories of finding lost treasures naturally circulated among the poor. Jesus uses the story line to stir his hearers to seek for a treasure far greater than any on earth; and to underline the joy entailed in finding the kingdom through Jesus.
13:45–46: Divers sought pearls in the Red Sea, Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean, and some pearls could be worth the equivalent of millions of dollars.
13:47-50: Different kinds of nets were used for fishing; dragnets (the kind used here) were quite large. It is thought that floats and sinkers were attached to keep one part of the wide end of the net at the surface while the other part dragged below.
13:53-58: Nazareth itself was a small village in this period, with perhaps 1,600–2,000 inhabitants. Jesus would thus have been known to most of his townspeople.

Let’s look a little more closely at the passage
a. How is the passage structured and is there a sense of movement?
Vv. 44-46: The parables of the hidden treasure and the pearl
Vv. 47-50: The parable of the net
Vv. 51-52: Conclusion to the parables
Vv. 53-58: Jesus opposed in his hometown

(b) What are the important or repeated words, ideas, themes, or, important contrasting words and explanatory words?
The phrase: “the kingdom of heaven is like…” is repeated at the beginning of each of the three parables here (Mt 13:44, 45 and 47) and continues the point of all of the parables in the chapter: Teaching the disciples about the kingdom of God – its effects, (hidden) growth and influence, and its inestimable value.
The ‘therefore’ in verse 52 links what follows in that verse with verse 51. Because the disciples have ‘understood all these things’ (Mt 13:51) they are required in turn to instruct others about the treasures of the kingdom and its Christ.

A time for personal application!
Using all of the above, what do you think are the passage’s main idea and supporting ideas:
Try to summarise these in a clear, concise statement:

Time now to turn your eyes upon Jesus.

• How has this time with today’s Gospel enlarged or enriched your understanding of Jesus and his claims, call and promises?
• How do you respond to Him?

• What personal and parish beliefs you hold does this study confirm to be true?
• What personal and parish beliefs has this study challenged and corrected?
• What personal and parish values, attitudes and priorities has this study reinforced or challenged?
• What personal and parish behaviour and traditions has this study endorsed or challenged?

• What encouragements, comforts and changes will you or your group take with you today?

• Resolve to help one another move forward in repentance and faith.