What does Matthew 13:52 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 13:52 presents a simile where Jesus compares a scribe educated in the ways of the Kingdom of Heaven to a homeowner who brings out his treasures, both new and old.

In a literal sense, a scribe during Jesus' time would be a person skilled in reading, writing, and interpreting the Scriptures.

Being "instructed unto the kingdom of heaven" means understanding the teachings and principles of God's reign, both prophesied in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament.

The deeper meaning involves the bringing forth of "treasures," which symbolizes the teachings and understandings of God's Kingdom.

The "new" refers to fresh revelations and insights brought to light by Jesus and the gospel, while the "old" alludes to the longstanding traditions and teachings of the Jewish faith.

This illustrates that the teachings of the Kingdom encompass both the respected traditions of the past and the transformative new covenant brought by Christ.

Historical Context

Matthew's Gospel was written in a Jewish milieu, primarily for a Jewish audience familiar with the Old Testament scriptures.

Scribes were well-respected members of Jewish society who studied the Law and were responsible for copying and teaching it.

At the time of Jesus, there was a transition between the old covenant, based on Mosaic Law, and the new covenant, based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

This verse is nestled within a series of parables about the Kingdom of Heaven, which were revolutionary to the first-century understanding of what it meant to be God's chosen people.

Theological Insights

From a Christian theological perspective, this verse suggests the continuity of God's revelation.

It is seen as a validation that Jesus did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17).

This implies that the teachings of Jesus were not to be seen as a replacement for Jewish tradition, but as an extension and completion of it.

Furthermore, it underscores the role of Christian disciples as those who seek wisdom in their faith, constantly integrating both the heritage of their beliefs and the ongoing revelation through the Holy Spirit.

Practical Applications

This verse has numerous applications for daily life:

• Encourages students of the Scriptures to value both traditional teachings and new understandings.
• Suggests that wisdom involves both preservation and innovation.
• Reminds Christians to be thoughtful and discerning, drawing from a broad pool of knowledge.
• Encourages preachers and teachers to use a variety of teaching materials and experiences, both from historical foundations of faith and contemporary insights.

Cross-References

• Matthew 5:17 - "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil."
• 2 Timothy 3:16 - "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."
• Ezra 7:10 - "For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments."

Language Study

In the original Greek, the word for "scribe" is "γραμματεύς" (grammateus), typically referring to a Jewish teacher of the Law.

The term "instructed" translates from "μαθητευθείς" (mathēteutheis), which means to be discipled or taught.

The phrase "kingdom of heaven" is "βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν" (basileia tōn ouranōn), which is a Matthean term referring to God's sovereign rule.

The word for "treasure" is "θησαυρός" (thesauros), which denotes a storehouse for valuable goods.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The concept of a sage or learned person bringing forth wisdom from both the past and present is not unique to Christianity.

In Judaism, the rabbinic tradition involves a deep respect for both the written Torah and the Oral Torah, which includes current rabbinic interpretation.

In other cultures and religions, there is often a veneration of ancient truths along with the inclusion of contemporary revelations or understandings, seen for example in the Hindu integration of the Vedas with modern Gurus' interpretations.

Scientific Perspectives

While the verse does not directly address scientific topics, the principle of valuing both old and new knowledge reflects the scientific process itself.

Science is built upon the foundation of previous discoveries while constantly seeking new information and understanding.

This mirrors the householder who brings out treasured items that are both ancient and current.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer a range of perspectives on Matthew 13:52:

• William Barclay notes that a disciple of Jesus is like a wise teacher who brings both the old truths of the Jewish law and the new truths of Jesus' teachings to their students.
• John Calvin suggests that this parable teaches that nothing should be taught in church that does not edify the listeners, meaning teachings should be accessible and valuable, both old and new.
• Craig S.

Keener, in his IVP Bible Background Commentary, sees this as a call for Christian teachers to present both the Hebrew Scriptures and the teachings of Jesus without seeing a disconnect between them.