Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls.
Parallel translations
- WEB “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a merchant seeking fine pearls,
- KJV Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
- NKJV “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls,
- NASB “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls,
- NLT “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The Kingdom is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. God's reign is the supreme object of every true seeker's quest.
Overview
This brief parable introduces a merchant who diligently seeks fine pearls, picturing the earnest pursuit of what is truly valuable. The Kingdom is presented as the goal worthy of such seeking. Together with the treasure parable, it teaches that recognizing the Kingdom's worth leads to wholehearted pursuit and total commitment.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Prov 8:10–11Receive my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold.
- Matt 16:26What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
- Prov 3:13–18Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding,
- Job 28:18Coral and quartz are unworthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.
- Matt 13:24Jesus put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.
- Prov 8:18–20With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and righteousness.
- Eccl 12:13When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man.
- Matt 22:5But they paid no attention and went away, one to his field, another to his business.
- Ps 4:6–7Many ask, “Who can show us the good?” Shine the light of Your face upon us, O LORD.
- Ps 39:6–7Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away.
- Eccl 2:2–12I said of laughter, “It is folly,” and of pleasure, “What does it accomplish?”
- Eccl 12:8“Futility of futilities,” says the Teacher. “Everything is futile!”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 13:45 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.