John Calvin Commentary Matthew 13:44

"The 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." — Matthew 13:44 (ASV)

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, so that nothing may prevent them from obtaining so valuable a possession. We greatly need such a warning, for we are so captivated by the allurements of the world that eternal life fades from our view;²³² and because of our carnality, the spiritual graces of God are far from being held by us in the esteem they deserve. Therefore, Christ justly speaks in such lofty terms about the excellence of eternal life, so that we should not feel uneasy about relinquishing, for its sake, whatever we consider valuable in other respects.

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 offered 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comparing it to a treasure, the value of which is not diminished in any way, though it may be buried in the earth and withdrawn from the eyes of men.

These words teach us that we should not estimate the riches of the grace of God according to our carnal perspectives or according to their outward display, but in the same manner as a treasure, though it is hidden, is preferred to a vain appearance of wealth. The same instruction is conveyed by the other parable. One pearl, though it is small, is so highly valued that a skillful merchant does not hesitate to sell houses and lands in order to purchase it. The excellence of the heavenly life is not perceived, indeed, by the carnal sense; and yet we do not esteem it according to its real worth unless we are prepared to deny, for its sake, all that glitters in our eyes.

We now perceive the main purpose of both parables. It is to inform us that only those are qualified for receiving the grace of the Gospel who disregard all other desires and devote all their exertions and all their faculties to obtain it. It also deserves our attention that Christ does not declare the hidden treasure or the pearl to be so highly valued by all.

The treasure is ascertained to be valuable after it has been found and known; and it is the skillful merchant who forms such an opinion about the pearl.²³³ These words denote the knowledge of faith. “The heavenly kingdom,” Christ tells us, “is commonly held as of no account, because men are incapable of relishing it and do not perceive the inestimable value of that treasure which the Lord offers to us in the Gospel.”

But it is asked, is it necessary that we abandon every other possession in order to enjoy eternal life? I answer briefly. The natural meaning of the words is that the Gospel does not receive from us the respect it deserves unless we prefer it to all the riches, pleasures, honors, and advantages of the world, and to such an extent that we are satisfied with the spiritual blessings it promises and set aside everything that would keep us from enjoying them.

For those who aspire to heaven must be disengaged from everything that would hinder their progress. Christ exhorts those who believe in Him to deny only those things which are harmful to godliness; and, at the same time, permits them to use and enjoy God’s temporal favors, as if not truly possessing them.

²³² “Que nous venons a oublier la vie eternelle;” — “that we come to forget eternal life.”;” — “that we come to forget eternal life.”

²³³ “C’est le bon marchand qui fait telle estime de la perle;” — “it is the good ;” — “it is the good merchant who sets so high a value on the who sets so high a value on the pearl.”