Commentary on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2.pdf

<strong>Commentary</strong> on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2
Matthew 13:44-52
44. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hid in a field, which when found a man
hideth, 227 and for the joy which he hath on account of it, goeth away, and selleth all that he hath,
and buyeth that field. 45. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant, seeking beautiful pearls,
228 46. Who, having found one valuable pearl, went away, and sold all that he possessed, and bought
it. 47. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net east into the sea, and collecting of every kind, 229
48. Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and collected the good into vessels,
but cast away the bad. 230 49. So shall it be at the end of the world: the Angels will come, and will
separate the bad from the midst of the righteous, 50. And will cast them into a furnace of fire:
there shall be lamentation and gnashing of teeth. 51. Jesus saith to them, Have you understood all
these things? They say to him, Yes, Lord. 52. But he said to them, Therefore every scribe instructed
in reference to the kingdom of heaven 231 is like a householder, who bringeth forth out of his treasure
things new and old.
The first two of these parables are intended to instruct believers to prefer the Kingdom of heaven
to the whole world, and therefore to deny themselves and all the desires of the flesh, that nothing
may prevent them from obtaining so valuable a possession. We are greatly in need of such a warning;
for we are so captivated by the allurements of the world, that eternal life fades from our view; 232
and in consequence of our carnality, the spiritual graces of God are far from being held by us in
the estimation which they deserve. Justly, therefore, does Christ speak in such lofty terms of the
excellence of eternal life, that we ought not to feel uneasiness at relinquishing, on account of it,
whatever we reckon in other respects to be valuable.
First, he says, that the kingdom of heaven is like a hidden treasure. We commonly set a high
value on what is visible, and therefore the new and spiritual life, which is held out to us in the
Gospel, is little esteemed by us, because it is hidden, and lies in hope. There is the highest
appropriateness in comparing it to a treasure, the value of which is in no degree diminished, though
it may be buried in the earth, and withdrawn from the eyes of men. These words teach us, that we
ought not to estimate the riches of the grace of God according to the views of our flesh, or according
to their outward display, but in the same manner as a treasure, though it be hidden, is preferred to
227 “Que quelqu’un a trouve et cache;” — “which some one hath found and hidden.”
228 “Qui cherche de bonnes perles;” — “who seeks good pearls.”
229 “De toutes sortes de choses;” — “of all sorts of things.”
230 “Lequel estant plein, ‘les pescheurs’ le tirent en haut sur la rive: et estant assis mettent le bon a part en leurs vaisseaux, et
iettent hors ce qui ne vaut rien;” — “which being full, ‘the fishers’ draw it upwards on the bank; and sitting down, put the good
aside in their vessels, and throw away what is worth nothing.”
231 “Quant au royaume des cieux;” — “as to the kingdom of heaven.”
232 “Que nous venons a oublier la vie eternelle;” — “that we come to forget eternal life.”
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John Calvin