“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a merchant seeking fine pearls,
Parallel translations
- KJV Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
- BSB Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine 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 rather than silver; knowledge rather than choice gold.
- Matt 16:26For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life?
- Prov 3:13–18Happy is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gets understanding.
- Job 28:18No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal. Yes, the price of wisdom is above rubies.
- Matt 13:24He set another parable before them, saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field,
- Prov 8:18–20With me are riches, honor, enduring wealth, and prosperity.
- Eccl 12:13This is the end of the matter. All has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.
- Matt 22:5But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his merchandise,
- Ps 4:6–7Many say, “Who will show us any good?” Yahweh, let the light of your face shine on us.
- Ps 39:6–7“Surely every man walks like a shadow. Surely they busy themselves in vain. He heaps up, and doesn’t know who shall gather.
- Eccl 2:2–12I said of laughter, “It is foolishness”; and of mirth, “What does it accomplish?”
- Eccl 12:8“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher. “All is vanity!”
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.