Parable of the Pearl of Great Price
Author: Steve Amato
Keywords: bible study,parable, jesus, gospel, pearl, great price

Translation: 简体中文 繁體中文

# The Parable of
The Pearl of Great Price

Matt 13:45,46 "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a merchant seeking fine pearls, who having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it." (web)

# Discussion Questions

How does this parable differ from that of the parable just before it of the hidden treasure (Matt 13:44)?
How did the merchant know the value of the pearl?
What evidence is there that he had really come to value it?
What has God's treasure cost you?

# Comments

Once again as in the parable of the hidden treasure, this is about seeking and recognizing the value of God's gift.. Though the man in the previous parable may have simply run across the treasure by chance, this man purposely sought the treasure, making it his profession and purpose in life. Such an attitude is a characteristic of saving faith as the author of Hebrews writes

> Heb 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

At first the merchant may not be aware that such a great pearl existed. In the process of examining other pearls he may have caught rumor of such a pearl. Or he may have discovered it on his own. Seekers often have gone through the process of examining a number of religions, philosophies and ideas. And indeed the scriptures reckon as virtuous those who are skeptical, carefully evaluating the ideas proposed rather than accepting them gullibly with a blind faith:

> "Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." Acts 17:11

# Rap

There once was a merchant looking for pearls Thinking of them like nuts to squirrels But one day he found a pearl of great price And sold all he had, all his merchandise To buy the pearl he sought the most Which in the end would be his boast. There are those who seek from place to place What can be found only through God's grace The pearl of great price is Jesus our Lord When you find Him you'll find that you can afford To replace your trust in other things With the One from whom eternal life springs

The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources