Lesson 139: The Parable of the Hidden Treasure

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INTRODUCTION. This one verse parable is found only in Matthew. Previously in Matthew, Jesus had compared the kingdom to small things–a mustard seed and leaven. In this parable of the hidden treasure and the one to follow–the parable of the pearl of great price–Jesus declared the great value of the kingdom. This parable tells of a man who found a treasure hidden in a field. He willingly sold all that he had to buy the field.

It is unprofitable to speculate on the legality or morality of the find and purchase of the field. It was common practice in Jesus' time to bury valuables as a means of preserving one's property. Therefore, Jesus again used an illustration that was familiar to his hearers to teach a spiritual lesson–the value of the kingdom of God.