THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
Finding Treasures: Mt 13,44-52
These last three parables continue to be about the kingdom of heaven. There is no special introduction in verse 44. There is though a link with the preceeding interpretation which ends with the righteous shining like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.
I mentioned the inclusion of verse 53 with this section in the overview. It is clearly the ending of the discourse even though it is also a transition with Jesus leaving. It is also the last verse which is special to Matthew. 13,54 then opens a new episode which has a parallel in Mark as we will see.
The parables of finding the treasure and the pearl are clealy a pair, like the parables of the mustard seed and the yeast which we read earlier (13,31-33). The parable of the net is similar to that of the weeds. This leaves us with a conclusion in 13,51-53.
Treasure and Pearls: 13,44-46
Like the earlier pair (13,31-33), this second pair opens with "the kingdom of heaven is like..."
The references to Proverbs and Job show how both treasure and pearls are images of wisdom in the Old Testament. In this Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is the wisdom of God and so there is the connection between wisdom and the kingdom of heaven.
The difference between the two parables is that the treasure is a chance find whereas the pearl requires an active search by the merchant. In both cases there is the great value of the discovery together with the single mindedness with which it is sought as they sell all they had. The image of the treasure highlights the joy of the discovery.
This pair of parables about the kingdom indicate therefore the goal of the search. The first pair of parables, the mustard seed and the yeast, were as we saw, about growth.
The Net: 13,47-49
As with the parable of the weeds, here too we have an emphasis on the final judgement. All the fish co-exist until the net was full. Then comes the time of selection, separating the good and bad. The interpretation follows directly in verse 49. In a way this parable anticpates the great scene of judgement in chapter 25, at the end of the age, 28,20. Matthew is fond of the phrase "weeping and grinding of teeth" as we have seen.
Conclusion: 13,51-53
There is a stress on the disciples understanding throughout this discourse. Yet it is surprising because their understanding is still quite limited. However, for Matthew's own community, this message is clear and important.
Verse 52 seems to be a self portrait or understanding of the evangelist. On the one hand, there are the great traditions and teachings of Judaism, on the other there is the total newness of Jesus as the Christ. It is holding these together which is so important for the evangelist.
The unfolding theme of the discourse can be seen in the two pairs of the parables. The parable of the sower opens the discourse with the sowing of the seed. The first pair of parables then treat of growth while the second pair point towards the final goal.
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The Sunday Gospel
The shorter form provided for this Gospel presents just verses 44-46, the treasure and the parable. It's possbile there may be congregations where such a narrow focus may be good. For most parishes, it will be better for people to hear it all. The conclusion about the scribe in verse 52 is especially important as we saw.
The request of Solomon to be given wisdom taken from the first book of Kings is a background for those two parables because we have seen the links between the treasure and the pearl and wisdom. What Solomon asks of God (1 K 3,9) is literally for a "listening heart" (NABRE) which reflects the discernment required by treasures old and new in verse 52. Translators may tend to over-emphasise the intellectual aspect of this expression (NRSV: "understanding mind"). This is a search for wisdom and the kingdom of heaven like wisdom is a great goal, a treasure found.
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