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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mat_13:44
44"The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."
Mat_13:44 "the kingdom of heaven" See Mat_13:45; Mat_13:47; Mat_13:52. This phrase was equivalent to "the kingdom of God" in Mark and Luke. Matthew, in writing to the Jews, did not use God's name but circumlocution, " heaven." This parable is unique to Matthew.
▣ "hidden in the field" Burying valuables in the ground to protect them was a common practice in the Ancient Near East. There were no banks.
▣ "sells all. . .buys the field" This shows the radical nature of discipleship. Knowing Jesus is worth everything! The paradox is (1) a free salvation comes by God's grace alone and is therefore absolutely free (cf. Rom_3:24; Rom_5:15; Rom_6:23; Eph_2:8-9), but (2) it costs the disciple everything (cf. Mat_10:34-39; Mat_13:44; Mat_13:46).