The Parable of:
“Treasure Hid in a Field”
( Searching for Hidden Treasure
in the Bible )
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The Parable of:
“Treasure Hid in a Field”
(Matthew 13:44)
Matthew 13:44 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.”
Comments:
This parable describes someone who has found something of the greatest value! He is willing to give up everything in order to obtain it! Instead of being “sorrowful” because he has to “give up everything”, the man is filled with joy at the thought of what he will gain!
Identifying the Spiritual meaning of the Parable:
In order to discover the Spiritual meaning of this parable, we will first have to discover the Spiritual meaning of the real objects used in the parable.
The real objects are: field, treasure, and man.
Now we will use the Concordance and compare Scripture.
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Comparing Scripture:
Field – first meaning
Acts 1:18 “…this man purchased (redeemed) a field with the reward of iniquity…”
Rom. 6:23 “The wages (reward) of sin (iniquity) is death…”
Acts 1:19 “That field is called … the field of blood.”
Matt. 13:38 “The field is the world.”
Rev. 5:9 “…thou wast slain, and hast redeemed (purchased) us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.”
Comment:
Thus, the field represents the world that was redeemed by the blood of Jesus.
Field – second meaning
Prov. 2:3-5 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
Comment:
The only place that we can “search” for the hid treasure of the knowledge of God is in God’s Word. Thus, the “field” represents the Bible or God’s Word.
Conclusions:
The Spiritual “field” represents:
The world (redeemed by the blood of Jesus)
The Bible or God’s Word
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Treasure
Exodus 19:5 “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:”
Prov. 2:4,5 “If thou seekest … as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand … and find the knowledge of God.”
Col. 1:26, 27 “Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations … which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
2 Cor. 4:3,4 “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
Conclusions:
The spiritual “treasure” represents:
God’s people
The Gospel of Christ and the knowledge of God
Comment:
The “treasure” was hidden in the field. It did not lie on the surface of the ground, but was buried beneath the surface. To obtain the “treasure” required the “work” of digging. Similarly, to obtain the knowledge of God and the understanding of the Gospel, requires the “work” of digging or searching the Scriptures.
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Man
Mark 15:39 “And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.”
John 9:11 “He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, …”
Matthew 4:4 “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
Conclusions:
The Spiritual “man” represents:
Jesus
A person who “lives by God’s Words” (Christian)
Comments:
It is clear from our study of the Spiritual meanings of the real objects in the parable, that each object has a double or two Spiritual meanings. This implies that there are two distinct meanings for the parable. If we substitute each of the meanings into the parable and the context of the parable supports the meaning, then there are two meanings to the parable.
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Spiritual Meaning 1 (Paraphrase)
Matthew 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like God’s people (treasure) hidden in the world (field); which when Jesus (man) discovered, with joy gave up ** everything he had (sold all) in heaven and came to this world (field) and with his blood, redeemed (bought) this world (field).
Spiritual Meaning 2 (Paraphrase)
Matthew 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like the Gospel of Christ and the knowledge of God (treasure) that is hidden in God’s Word (field); which when a man discovers, with joy gives his heart completely to Jesus (sells all) so that he can obtain (buy) salvation and the understanding and knowledge of God (treasure) that is hidden in the Bible (field).
Summary:
The parable of the “Treasure hid in a field” has been shown to definitely have two Spiritual meanings:
Jesus “giving up everything” in heaven to redeem us, His treasure!
Christians willing to “give up everything” in this world to obtain a relationship with Jesus and a knowledge of His Word, our treasure!
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Matthew 6:19-21
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Comment:
To “give up your treasure” upon earth and to “lay up your treasure” in heaven, means to “turn your heart” from the things of this world and to “give your heart” to Jesus and the things of heaven.
Doctrinal Truth (Taught by Jesus in the Parable of “Treasure hid in a field”)
There is a “treasure” that is worth “giving up everything” to obtain.
For Jesus, the “treasure” is a person that loves Him completely!
For human beings, the “treasure” is Salvation and Eternal life and a knowledge of God!
In order for Jesus to obtain His “treasure” (us) nothing was withheld. The price of the “treasure” was so high that it required Him to “give up” heaven and even to “give up” His life!
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In order for us to obtain our “treasure” (Salvation and a knowledge of God), nothing must be withheld. The price of “treasure” is so high (it required Jesus’ death) that it requires us to give our heart completely to Jesus.
In order for us to obtain the treasure, “digging” will be required of us. Digging represents the “work” of searching the Scriptures to obtain a knowledge of God and of the Gospel.
When the “treasure” is obtained, it will bring joy into our lives!
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