Matthew 13 · Verse 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.
Matthew 13:44, King James Version

Matthew 13:44 in other translations

BSBThe kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field.
WEB“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid. In his joy, he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
ASVThe kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hidden in the field; which a man found, and hid; and in his joy he goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
YLT‘Again, the reign of the heavens is like to treasure hid in the field, which a man having found did hide, and from his joy goeth, and all, as much as he hath, he selleth, and buyeth that field.
DARBYThe kingdom of the heavens is like a treasure hid in the field, which a man having found has hid, and for the joy of it goes and sells all whatever he has, and buys that field.
BBEThe kingdom of heaven is like a secret store of wealth in a field, which a man came across and put back again; and in his joy he goes and gives all he has, to get that field.
WebsterAgain, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hid in a field; which, when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

What does Matthew 13:44 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
44. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field--no uncommon thing in unsettled and half-civilized countries, even now as well as in ancient times, when there was no other way of securing it from the rapacity of neighbors or marauders. (Jr 41:8; Job 3:21; Pr 2:4). the which when a man hath found--that is, unexpectedly found. he hideth, and for joy thereof--on perceiving what a treasure he had lighted on, surpassing the worth of all he possessed. goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field--in which case, by Jewish law, the treasure would become his own. The Pearl of Great Price (Mt 13:45, 46).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 44. The kingdom of heaven. The gospel. The new dispensation. The offer of eternal life. See Mt 3:2. He compares it to treasure hid in a field. That is, to money concealed; or, more likely, to a mine of silver or gold, that was undiscovered by others, and unknown to the owner of the field.

He hideth. That is, he conceals the fact that he has found it; he does not tell of it. With a view of obtaining this, he says that a man would go and sell his property, and buy the field. The conduct of the man would be dishonest. It would be his duty to inform the owner of the field of the discovery. He would be really endeavouring to gain property belonging to another at far less than its real value; and the principle of real integrity would require him to inform him of the discovery. But Christ does not intend to vindicate his conduct, he merely states the way in which men do actually manage to obtain wealth. He states a case, where a man would actually sacrifice his property, and practise diligence and watchfulness, to obtain it. The point of the parable lies in his earnestness, his anxiety, his care, and his obtaining it. The gospel is valuable as such a treasure, Ps 19:10, Prov 3:13-15. From most men it is hid. When a man sees it, and hears it, it is his duty to sacrifice all in the way to his obtaining it; and to seek it with the earnestness with which other men seek for gold. The truth often lies buried; it is like rich veins of ore in the sacred Scriptures; it must be searched out with diligence; and it will repay him for all his sacrifices, Lk 14:33, Php 3:8.

(l) "in a field" Prov 2:4,5 (m) "selleth all" Php 3:7,8 (n) "buyeth" Isa 45:1, Rev 3:18

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 44 The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field - Θησαυρω κεκρυμμενω, to a hidden treasure. We are not to imagine that the treasure here mentioned, and to which the Gospel salvation is likened, means a pot or chest of money hidden in the field, but rather a gold or silver mine, which he who found out could not get at, or work, without turning up the field, and for this purpose he bought it. Mr. Wakefield's observation is very just: "There is no sense in the purchase of a field for a pot of money, which he might have carried away with him very readily, and as honestly, too, as by overreaching the owner by an unjust purchase." He hideth - i.e. he kept secret, told the discovery to no person, till he had bought the field. From this view of the subject, the translation of this verse, given above, will appear proper - a hidden treasure, when applied to a rich mine, is more proper than a treasure hid, which applies better to a pot of money deposited there, which I suppose was our translators' opinion; and kept secret, or concealed, will apply better to the subject of his discovery till he made the purchase, than hideth, for which there could be no occasion, when the pot was already hidden, and the place known only to himself. Our Lord's meaning seems to be this: - The kingdom of heaven - the salvation provided by the Gospel - is like a treasure - something of inestimable worth - hidden in a field; it is a rich mine, the veins of which run in all directions in the sacred Scriptures; therefore, the field must be dug up, the records of salvation diligently and carefully turned over, and searched. Which, when a man hath found - when a sinner is convinced that the promise of life eternal is to him, he kept secret - pondered the matter deeply in his heart; he examines the preciousness of the treasure, and counts the cost of purchase; for joy thereof - finding that this salvation is just what his needy soul requires, and what will make him presently and eternally happy, went and sold all that he had - renounces his sins, abandons his evil companions, and relinquishes all hope of salvation through his own righteousness; and purchased that field - not merely bought the book for the sake of the salvation it described, but, by the blood of the covenant, buys gold tried in the fire, white raiment, etc.; in a word, pardon and purity, which he receives from God for the sake of Jesus. We should consider the salvation of God, 1. As our only treasure, and value it above all the riches in the world. 2. Search for it in the Scriptures, till we fully understand its worth and excellence. 3. Deeply ponder it in the secret of our souls. 4. Part with all we have in order to get it. 5. Place our whole joy and felicity in it; and 6. Be always convinced that it must be bought, and that no price is accepted for it but the blood of the covenant; the sufferings and death of our only Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Matthew 13:44-52
Here are four parables. 1. That of the treasure hid in the field. Many slight the gospel, because they look only upon the surface of the field. But all who search the Scriptures, so as in them to find Christ and eternal life, Joh 5:39, will discover such treasure in this field as makes it unspeakably valuable; they make it their own upon any terms. Though nothing can be given as a price for this salvation, yet much must be given up for the sake of it. 2. All the children of men are busy; one would be rich, another would be honourable, another would be learned; but most are deceived, and take up with counterfeits for pearls. Jesus Christ is a Pearl of great price; in having him, we have enough to make us happy here and for ever. A man may buy gold too dear, but not this Pearl of great price. When the convinced sinner sees Christ as the gracious Saviour, all things else become worthless to his thoughts. 3. The world is a vast sea, and men, in their natural state, are like the fishes. Preaching the gospel is casting a net into this sea, to catch something out of it, for His glory who has the sovereignty of this sea. Hypocrites and true Christians shall be parted: miserable is the condition of those that shall then be cast away. 4. A skilful, faithful minister of the gospel, is a scribe, well versed in the things of the gospel, and able to teach them. Christ compares him to a good householder, who brings forth fruits of last year's growth and this year's gathering, abundance and variety, to entertain his friends. Old experiences and new observations, all have their use. Our place is at Christ's feet, and we must daily learn old lessons over again, and new ones also.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Matthew 13:44 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ὁμοίαhomoiaLikeG3664
ἐστὶνestinisG1510
ἡhētheG3588
βασιλείαbasileiakingdomG932
τῶνtōnof theG3588
οὐρανῶνouranōnheavensG3772
θησαυρῷthēsaurōto treasureG2344
κεκρυμμένῳkekrummenōhiddenG2928
ἐνeninG1722
τῷtōtheG3588
ἀγρῷ,agrōfield,G68
ὃνhonwhichG3739
εὑρὼνheurōnhaving foundG2147
ἄνθρωποςanthrōposa manG444
ἔκρυψεν.ekrupsenhid.G2928
καὶkaiandG2532
ἀπὸapoforG575
τῆςtēstheG3588
χαρᾶςcharasjoyG5479
αὐτοῦautouof itG846
ὑπάγειhupageigoesG5217
καὶkaiandG2532
πωλεῖpōleihe sellsG4453
πάνταpantaallG3956
ὅσαhosaas much asG3745
ἔχειecheihe hasG2192
καὶkaiandG2532
ἀγοράζειagorazeibuysG59
τὸνtontheG3588
ἀγρὸνagronfieldG68
ἐκεῖνον.¶ekeinonthat.G1565

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Matthew 13:44

  • Proverbs 2:2-5

    So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; 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.

  • Colossians 2:3

    In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

  • Philippians 3:7-9

    But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

  • Matthew 6:21

    For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

  • Luke 14:33

    So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

  • Hebrews 11:24-26

    By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

  • Matthew 19:29

    And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

  • Proverbs 16:16

    How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

  • Proverbs 23:23

    Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

  • Luke 18:23-24

    And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

  • Revelation 3:18

    I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

  • Colossians 3:3-4

    For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
like.
6:21; Pr 2:2-5; 16:16; 17:16; 18:1; Joh 6:35; Ro 15:4
1Co 2:9,10; Col 2:3; 3:3,4,16
for joy.
19:21,27,29; Lu 14:33; 18:23,24; 19:6-8; Ac 2:44-47; 4:32-35
Php 3:7-9; Heb 10:34; 11:24-26
buyeth.
Pr 23:23; Isa 55:1; Re 3:18

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Matthew 13:43

    Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

  • 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.

  • Matthew 13:45

    Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:

Read all of Matthew 13

Matthew 13:44 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Además, el reino de los cielos es semejante al tesoro escondido en el campo; el cual hallado, el hombre lo encubre, y de gozo de ello va, y vende todo lo que tiene, y compra aquel campo.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Encore, le royaume des cieux est semblable à un trésor caché dans un champ, qu’un homme, après l’avoir trouvé, a caché; et de la joie qu’il en a, il s’en va, et vend tout ce qu’il a, et achète ce champ-là.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Das Reich der Himmel ist gleich einem im Acker verborgenen Schatz, welchen ein Mensch fand und verbarg; und vor Freude darüber geht er hin und verkauft alles, was er hat, und kauft jenen Acker.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Simile est regnum cælorum thesauro abscondito in agro: quem qui invenit homo, abscondit, et præ gaudio illius vadit, et vendit universa quæ habet, et emit agrum illum.