Hidden Treasures

Matthew 13:44-46 
What is the meaning of the illustrations about the traveling merchant and the hidden treasure? 
In Jesus’ time, some merchants would travel very far to search for the finest pearls and buy them. The “one pearl of high value” in Jesus’ illustration represents the precious truth of the Kingdom, and the merchant represents those people with good hearts who search everywhere to find this truth. The merchant was willing to sell everything he had “promptly” so that he could buy this valuable pearl. Jesus also gave an illustration of a man who was working in a field and found “hidden” treasure. Unlike the merchant, this man was not searching for treasure. But once he saw its value, he too was willing to sell “everything” so that he could have it.
Category:Hidden Treasures