Parables, Parable of the Hidden Treasure
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 The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
Similar it is, this realm of these skies, to a treasure having been hidden in the field, which, having found, a person concealed, and out of this joy of his goes and exchanges as much as he possesses and buys for himself that field there.
The price we pay is all we have.
This verse follows Jesus's explanation of the Parable of the Good Seeds and Weeds and should be read as part of that explanation. It clears up some possible misconceptions of that parable, including that it is about the end of the world, not someone's life goal. This parable is unusually because goes from the past perfect tense, to the special "at some time" Greek tense that is used for most stories, to the present tense. This present stands out so seems to be intentional. Jesus may have been using it to describe what one of his followers was in the process of doing.
- OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "again" existed in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "heaven" is not shown in the English translation.
- WN - Wrong Number- The word "heaven" is translated as singular but he Greek word is plural, "skies."
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "hidden" indicates a past tense, but this is a past perfect.
- WV - Wrong Voice - The verb here is translated as active but it is passive.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "a" should be something more like "the."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "when" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "found" is not an active verb but a participle, "having found."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "for" is not the common word usually translated as "for."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "joy" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "thereof" is usually translated as "of his."
- OS -- Outdated Source -- The Greek word translated as "all" existed in the KJV Greek source but not the source we use today.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "that" should be something more like "as much as."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "field" is not shown in the English translation.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "heaven" is not shown in the English translation.
- WN - Wrong Number- The word "heaven" is translated as singular but he Greek word is plural, "skies."
- WT - Wrong Tense - The verb "hidden" indicates a past tense, but this is a past perfect.
- WV - Wrong Voice - The verb here is translated as active but it is passive.
- WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "a" should be something more like "the."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "that" before "having found" is not shown in the English translation.
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "when" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF - Wrong Form - The "found" is not an active verb but a participle, "having found."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "again" doesn't exist in the source.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "in" is not the common word usually translated as "in."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "joy" is not shown in the English translation.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The English verb "went" is the simple (imperfect) past , but Greek is in the present tense.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The English verb "sold" is the simple (imperfect) past , but Greek is in the present tense.
- WT - Wrong Tense - The English verb "bought" is the simple (imperfect) past , but Greek is in the present tense.
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the" before "field" is not shown in the English translation.
Again, -- (OS) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as "again" in the source we use today but it does exist in the source that the KJV translators used.
the - -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
kingdom - The word translated as "kingdom" can be the region, the reign, the castle or the authority of a ruler. Here, it is plural and in a form that could be either the object or subject of the verb. Christ does not seem to use it to mean a physical region, so its translation as "reign" or "rule" seems more appropriate.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
heaven - (WN) The word translated as "heaven" means sky, the climate, and the universe. It is plural. It also meant the home of the gods in a physical sense: the sun, moon, and planets were named for the gods.
is - -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. -- When the verb "to be" appears early in the clause before the subject, the sense is more like "it is" or, in the plural, "there are."
like - -- The word translated as "like" is an adjective that means "like," "resembling," and "matching."
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
treasure - The word translated as "treasure" is the noun meaning the "store" of something, so, a "treasure chest," and its secondary meaning is valuables themselves.
hidden - (WT, WV)The word translated as "hidden" means "to hide," "to bury," and "to cover." It is in the form of an adjective modifying the word above. However, it is passive in the perfect tense indicating something completed in the past, "having been hidden." This participle acts as adjective modifying "treasure."
in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with," "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here. With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."
a -- (WW) The word translated as "a" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
field; - "Field" is from a Greek noun that means "field," "lands," or "country." Generally, the "earth" or "ground" (as opposed to "the world") are symbolic of relationships of the heart, that is, higher emotions.
which -- The word translated as "which" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun ("the one that), especially a connective pronoun ("the one that") introducing a dependent clause.
when -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "when" in the Greek source.
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
man -- The Greek word for "man" means "man," "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men," "people," and "peoples."
found - (WF) The term used for "hath found" is the source of our word, "heuristic," meaning enabling a person to find out something for themselves. It means "find out" and "discover." It is in the form of an adjective, "having found."
it, -- This English objective pronoun is added and not in the Greek source. In Greek, pronoun objects are not repeated after each verb because they are implied by their first occurrence.
he - -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
hideth, - The verb translated as "hides" is the same as the verb above meaning "to hide," "to bury," and "to cover," but here is an active verb in the past tense.
and --- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
for - (CW) The word translated as "for" means "from" in both location and when referring to a source. This is not a Greek word commonly translated as "for."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
joy -- "Joy" is from a worth that means "joy" and "delight." More about Christ's use of emotions in this article.
thereof - (CW) The word translated as "thereof" is the Greek word commonly translated as pronouns in English, but it has a few shades of meaning our pronouns do not have. The word technically means "the same," and when used as a pronoun can mean "the true self" as opposed to appearances. It is possessive and follows the noun so "of his."
goeth - "Goeth" is from a Greek verbal command that means literally "go under" or "bring under," but Christ usually uses it to mean "go away" and "depart."
and --- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
selleth - The Greek word translated as "selleth" is from a word that means "to sell" and "to exchange." When this word is applied to people (as it is metaphorically here), it means "to betray" or "to give up."
all -- (OS) There is nothing in the Greek that can be translated as "also" in the source we use today but it does exist in the source that the KJV translators used.
that - (WW) The word translated as "that" means "as great as,"" "as much as," and similar ideas of comparison.
he - -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
has, - The word translated as "has" means "to possess" or "to keep."
and --- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
buyeth -- "Buyeth" is an uncommon verb that means "to occupy a marketplace," "to buy in the market," and "to buy for oneself."
that - The word translated as "that" is an adjective that highlights its noun as being in a specific place or time from a word that means "there."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
field. - "Field" is the same noun as that used above meaning "land" or "country."
The - -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
kingdom - The word translated as "kingdom" can be the region, the reign, the castle or the authority of a ruler. Here, it is plural and in a form that could be either the object or subject of the verb. Christ does not seem to use it to mean a physical region, so its translation as "reign" or "rule" seems more appropriate.
of -- This word "of" comes from the genitive case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is the "of" of possession.
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
heaven - (WN) The word translated as "heaven" means sky, the climate, and the universe. It is plural. It also meant the home of the gods in a physical sense: the sun, moon, and planets were named for the gods.
is - -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. -- When the verb "to be" appears early in the clause before the subject, the sense is more like "it is" or, in the plural, "there are."
like - -- The word translated as "like" is an adjective that means "like," "resembling," and "matching."
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
treasure - The word translated as "treasure" is the noun meaning the "store" of something, so, a "treasure chest," and its secondary meaning is valuables themselves.
hidden - (WT, WV)The word translated as "hidden" means "to hide," "to bury," and "to cover." It is in the form of an adjective modifying the word above. However, it is passive in the perfect tense indicating something completed in the past, "having been hidden." This participle acts as adjective modifying "treasure."
in -- The word translated as "in" means "in," "within," "with," "during" (time), or "among" with a dative object as the one here. With the accusative, it means "into," "on," and "for." When referring to time, it means "during." It can mean "on," "at," or "by" in the sense of "near."
a -- (WW) The word translated as "a" is the Greek definite article. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
field; - "Field" is from a Greek noun that means "field," "lands," or "country." Generally, the "earth" or "ground" (as opposed to "the world") are symbolic of relationships of the heart, that is, higher emotions.
missing "that" -- (MW) The untranslated word is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun ("the one that), especially a connective pronoun ("the one that") introducing a dependent clause.
When -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "when" in the Greek source.
a -- There is no indefinite article in Greek, but when a word doesn't have a definite article, the indefinite article can be added in English translation.
man -- The Greek word for "man" means "man," "person" and "humanity" in the singular. In the plural, it means "men," "people," and "peoples."
found - (WF) The term used for "hath found" is the source of our word, "heuristic," meaning enabling a person to find out something for themselves. It means "find out" and "discover." It is in the form of an adjective, "having found."
it, -- This English objective pronoun is added and not in the Greek source. In Greek, pronoun objects are not repeated after each verb because they are implied by their first occurrence.
he - -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
hid, - The verb translated as "hides" is the same as the verb above meaning "to hide," "to bury," and "to cover," but here is an active verb in the past tense.
it, -- This English objective pronoun is added and not in the Greek source. In Greek, pronoun objects are not repeated after each verb because they are implied by their first occurrence.
again, -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "again" in the Greek source.
and --- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
then -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "then" in the Greek source.
in - (CW) The word translated as "in" means "from" in both location and when referring to a source. This is not a Greek word commonly translated as "for."
his - (CW) The word translated as "thereof" is the Greek word commonly translated as pronouns in English, but it has a few shades of meaning our pronouns do not have. It is possessive and follows the noun so "of his."
joy -- "Joy" is from a worth that means "joy" and "delight." More about Christ's use of emotions in this article.
went - (WT) "Went " is from a Greek verbal command that means literally "go under" or "bring under," but Christ usually uses it to mean "go away" and "depart." This is not the past tense, but the present. This is notable because stories are usually told in a special tense that means "at some time past, present, or future."
and --- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
sold - The Greek word translated as "sold" is from a word that means "to sell" and "to exchange." When this word is applied to people (as it is metaphorically here), it means "to betray" or "to give up." This is notable because stories are usually told in a special tense that means "at some time past, present, or future."
all -- The word translated as "that" means "as great as,"" "as much as," and similar ideas of comparison.
he - -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
had , - (WT) The word translated as "had" means "to possess" or "to keep." This is notable because stories are usually told in a special tense that means "at some time past, present, or future."
and --- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
bought -- (WT) "Bought " is an uncommon verb that means "to occupy a marketplace," "to buy in the market," and "to buy for oneself." This is notable because stories are usually told in a special tense that means "at some time past, present, or future."
that - The word translated as "that" is an adjective that highlights its noun as being in a specific place or time from a word that means "there."
missing "the" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article, "the." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those"). See this article for more.
field. - "Field" is the same noun as that used above meaning "land" or "country."
Ὁμοία (adj pl neut acc) Like is from homoios, which means "like," "resembling," "the same," "equal in force, "a match for one," "suiting," "of the same rank," "alike," "in like manner," and "equally."
ἐστὶν (3rd sg pres ind act) "Is" is from eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," and "is possible."
ἡ (article sg fem nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
βασιλεία (noun sg fem nom ) "The kingdom" is from basileia, which means "kingdom," "dominion," "hereditary monarchy," "kingly office," (passive) "being ruled by a king," and "reign." -
τῶν (article pl masc gen) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
οὐρανῶν (noun pl masc gen) "Of Heaven" is from the Greek ouranos, which means "heaven as in the vault of the sky," "heaven as the seat of the gods," "the sky," "the universe," and "the climate." --
θησαυρῷ [12 verses](noun sg masc dat) "A treasure" is from thesauros, which means a "store," "treasure," "strong-room," "magazine, "granary," "receptacle for valuables," "safe," "casket," "offertory-box," "cavern," and "subterranean dungeon." --
κεκρυμμένῳ (part sg perf mp masc dat) "Hidden" is from krupto, which means "to hide," "to cover," "to bury," "to conceal," "to keep secret," and "to lie hidden."
ἐν (prep) "In" is from en, which means "in," "on," "at," "by," "among," "within," "surrounded by," "in one's hands," "in one's power," and "with."
τῷ (article sg masc dat) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἀγρῷ, (noun sg masc dat )"A field" is from agros, which means "field," "lands," or "country."
ὃν (pron sg masc acc) "Which" is from hos, which means "this," "that," "he," "she," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "for which reason," and many similar meanings.
εὑρὼν (part sg aor act masc nom) "Found" is heurisko, which means "to find," "to find out," "to discover," "to devise," "to invent," "to get," and "to gain." -
ἄνθρωπος (noun sg masc nom) "A man" is from anthropos, which is "man," and, in plural, "mankind." It also means "humanity" and that which is human and opposed to that which is animal or inanimate.
ἔκρυψεν, [9 verses](verb 3rd sg aor ind act) "Hideth" is from krypto, which means "to hide," "to cover," "to bury," "to conceal," "to keep secret," and "to lie hidden."
καὶ (conj) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
ἀπὸ (prep) "For" is from apo, a preposition of separation which means "from" or "away from" from when referring to place or motion, "from" or "after" when referring to time, "from" as an origin or cause.
τῆς (article sg fem gen) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
χαρᾶς (noun sg fem gen) "Joy" is from chara (chara), which means "joy" and "delight."
αὐτοῦ (adj sg masc gen) "Thereof" is from autos, which means "the same," and the reflexive pronouns, "myself," "yourself," "himself," "herself," "itself," or the oblique case of the pronouns, "him," "her," and "it." It also means "one's true self," that is, "the soul" as opposed to the body and "of one's own accord."
ὑπάγει (verb 3rd sg pres ind act) "Goeth" is hypago, which means "to lead under," "to bring under," "to bring a person before judgment," "to lead on by degrees," "to take away from beneath," "to withdraw," "to go away," "to retire," "to draw off," and "off with you."
καὶ (conj) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
πωλεῖ [12 verses](verb 3rd sg pres ind act ) "Selleth" is from poleo, which means "to sell," "to exchange," "to barter," "to offer to sell," and "to retail." Metaphorically, it means to "give up" and "betray." In the passive, it means "to be sold," "to be offered for sale," and, of persons, "to be bought and sold," and " betrayed."
ὅσα (adj pl neut acc) "Whatsoever" is from hosos, which means "as many," "as much as," "as great as," "as far as," and "only so far as."
ἔχει (verb 3rd sg pres ind act) "He hath" is from echo, which means "to have," "to hold," "to possess," "to keep," "to have charge of," "to maintain," "to hold fast," "to bear," "to keep close," "to keep safe," and "to have means to do." -- The word translated as "have" means "to possess" or "to keep" but it isn't used in the same way as a "helper" verb than the English "have" is.
καὶ (conj) "And" is from kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."
ἀγοράζει [8 verses](verb 3rd sg pres ind act) "Buy" is agorazo, which means "to occupy a marketplace," "to buy in the market," and "to buy for oneself."
τὸν (article sg masc acc) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").
ἀγρὸν (noun sg masc acc) "A field" is from agros, which means "field," "lands," or "country."
ἐκεῖνον. (adj sg masc acc) "That" is ekeinos, which means "the person there," "that person," "that thing," "in that case," "in that way," "at that place," and "in that manner."
“Tell us more about the realm of the skies,” Brother James pleaded. “Clearly it is a prize.”
“How should be describe its value?” asked Flat Nose.
“It is similar, this realm of these skies, to a treasure,” responded the Master. Then after thinking for a moment, he added, “having been hidden in the field...”
“Hidden indeed,” commented Flat Nose as the Master paused, “That is what people complain about.”
“But some see it,” counted Brother James, “We did.”
“Which, having found,” the Master continued, indicating Flat Nose. “A person concealed.”
“He hid it because knowledge about its existence was value,” guessed Johnny Boy.
“It wasn’t his land or treasure,” pointed out Flat Nose.
The Master nodded.
“What does he do?” asked Brother James.
“Be happy that he was the one who found it?” suggested Flat Nose.
“And out of this joy of his,” continued the Master cheerfully. “He goes and sells as much as he possesses and buys for himself that field there.”
Brother James and Johnny Boy laughed. This described what Flat Nose had done in leaving the Militants and joining the Master.
“There’s your own answer,” said Brother James to Flat Nose, “the realm is worth all we have.”