Matthew 13:51,52

This parable brings us to the last of the series in Matthew 13, and like the first it does not commence with the

formula, `The kingdom of heaven is like unto'.

The parable of the sower dealt rather with the ministry of the word of the kingdom, than with the kingdom

itself, and the closing parable deals rather with the minister than the kingdom, the householder rather than the

This parable is preceded by a question, `Have ye understood all these things?' and this question exactly

corresponds (see structure, page 35) to the statement of the Lord concerning Israel as a nation, that they did not

understand (Matt. 13:10-16).

In answer to the question of the Lord as to whether they had understood ALL THESE THINGS, the disciples

reply, `Yea, Lord', and upon this basis the last parable is uttered. We must at once confess that the disciples

have the advantage over us, for although we believe that by the grace of God the exposition of these parables in

our pages has been in harmony with His Word, we could not presume to say that we understand ALL THESE

THINGS. There are many who are completely in error regarding these parables who do not blush to speak of

`Apostolic mistakes' whenever an action or word of an inspired apostle crosses their idea of the teaching of

Scripture, but such would hardly dare to answer, as the apostles did. `Yea, Lord'.

Let us first of all consider the words of the parable.

`Wherefore (or for this reason) every scribe discipled into the kingdom of the heavens is like a man, an

householder, who putteth forth out of his treasure things new and old' (Matt. 13:52 Author's translation).

It will be seen by the opening word `wherefore' (or because of this) that the parable is connected with the

claim of the disciples to have understood all the things which were intended to give them a complete history of

the progress of the kingdom of the heavens. This emphasis upon the word `understanding' not only contrasts

the disciples with the nation, but leads us to consider other passages where a few amongst Israel will have

understanding particularly at the time of the end, when these parables will reach their fulfilment.

Daniel, referring to the time of antichristian apostasy says:

`And they that understand among the people shall instruct many' (Dan. 11:33).

`And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to

the time of the end' (Dan. 11:35).

`And they that be wise (margin, teachers) shall shine as the brightness of the firmament' (Dan. 12:3).

`Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried ... the wise shall understand' (Dan. 12:10).

These wise ones who have understanding have relation to the time of the end and particular reference to

Israel and the kingdom. Hearing the word, and understanding it, is characteristic of the final and yet future

sowing of the seed of the kingdom, as we have seen in considering Matthew 13:19,23. This understanding is

not necessarily connected with education or ability of mind, but it is rather that understanding which comes

from a heart acquaintance with the Word of God, and the Lord Himself. Thus the Psalmist could say, `I have

more understanding than all my teachers; for Thy testimonies are my meditation' (Psa. 119:99).

Those therefore who have such understanding are like a householder, and only such are here in question.

The word householder is oikodespotes, and occurs twelve times in the New Testament. Four times it is rendered

`goodman of the house', and once `goodman'. The first occurrence is in Matthew 10:25, and the last in Luke

22:11. It is bounded by the period covered by the gospel of the kingdom, and the number of its occurrences,

namely, twelve, also links with it Israel and the kingdom. Such a scribe, such a householder, is said to be

`discipled' into the kingdom of the heavens.

The word `instructed', which we have rendered `discipled' occurs four times in the New Testament (Matt.

13:52; 27:57; 28:19; Acts 14:21), and is translated `instructed', `disciple', `teach'. The marginal readings of

Matthew 28:19 and Acts 14:21 suggest `make disciples'. Matthew 28:19,20 looks forward to a future ministry

when the sent ones of the Lord shall `make nations disciples'. Matthew 28 says nothing about preaching the