Matthew 13:52
And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The phrase "things new and old" isn't just about mixing scripture with new ideas; it highlights how a wise teacher connects timeless truths with fresh, relevant applications. They don't just present ancient wisdom or novel thoughts, but skillfully weave them together, showing how the enduring message of God's kingdom speaks powerfully to every generation.
Jesus has just finished a series of parables about the Kingdom of Heaven, and he asks his disciples if they understand. After they confirm they do, he explains that those who have been instructed in the Kingdom's truths are like a good householder who skillfully draws from their storage, bringing out both familiar and fresh provisions as needed. This emphasizes the ongoing teaching and application of God's Word by those who lead.
Jesus calls his followers 'scribes' – but not in the way you might think. What does it truly mean to be 'trained for the kingdom of heaven'?
Jesus is speaking to his disciples, and he calls them 'scribes' in a new, spiritual sense.
A New Kind of Scribe
Traditionally, Jewish scribes were masters of the Law, meticulously studying and interpreting the Old Testament. But Jesus is establishing a new kind of scribe – one trained not just in the old scriptures, but in the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven itself.
This training, or discipleship, is a deep immersion into God's new reality revealed through Jesus. It means understanding the Gospel, the rules of Christ's spiritual house, and the grace that flows from Him.
More Than Just Knowledge
It's not just about knowing facts; it's about being transformed by the truth of God's reign. This is the foundation upon which a minister, or any believer called to teach, builds their life and ministry.
What's inside a Christian teacher's 'treasure'? It's a rich mix that nourishes the soul with both the familiar and the fresh.
Jesus uses the image of a 'master of a house' with a treasure to describe a disciple who effectively teaches God's truth.
What's in the Treasure?
This 'treasure' represents the storehouse of spiritual knowledge and wisdom that a believer, especially a teacher, possesses. It's filled with:
Understand the original words
grammateus · Greek Noun
The scribes were professional interpreters and teachers of the Mosaic Law in Israel. In this context, it refers to those who have transitioned from understanding the Old Testament law to understanding the new revelation of Christ.
basileia · Greek Noun
The sovereign rule and reign of God, both present in the hearts of believers through Christ and future in its ultimate manifestation. It encompasses the entirety of God's redemptive work.
oikodespotēs · Greek Noun
Refers to a householder or steward who manages a household, implying authority, responsibility, and the wise distribution of resources. In a spiritual sense, it denotes one who stewards the mysteries of God.
thēsauros · Greek Noun
This passage directly quotes Old Testament prophecy and explains how Jesus fulfilled it, showing the seamless connection between the 'old' (Law and Prophets) and the 'new' (the Gospel message of Christ's death and resurrection).
2 Timothy 3:16-17It emphasizes that all Scripture (the 'old') is God-breathed and useful for teaching, guiding, and correcting, laying the foundation for the 'new' understanding and application brought by the Gospel.
Hebrews 1:1-2This passage highlights God speaking 'long ago' through the prophets (the 'old') and then in these last days through His Son (the 'new'), mirroring the concept of bringing forth both old and new truths.
Romans 16:25-26This text speaks of a 'mystery' that was kept hidden but is now revealed through prophetic scriptures, uniting the long-held 'old' promises with the 'new' reality of salvation in Christ.
vincentMatthew 13:52: "Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old."
Which is instructed unto the kingdom of heavenInstructed μαθητευθεὶς. Rev., who hath been made a disciple to the kingdom, etc. The kingdom of heaven is personified. The disciples of Christ are disciples of that kingdom of which he is the representative.Which (ὅστις)The pronoun mar…
calvinMatthew 13:44-52: "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."
- Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hid in a field, which when found a man hideth, [227] and for the joy which he hath on account of it, goeth away, and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 45. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant, seeking beautiful…
The phrase "things new and old" isn't just about mixing scripture with new ideas; it highlights how a wise teacher connects timeless truths with fresh, relevant applications. They don't just present ancient wisdom or novel thoughts, but skillfully weave them together, showing how the enduring message of God's kingdom speaks powerfully to every generation.
Jesus has just finished a series of parables about the Kingdom of Heaven, and he asks his disciples if they understand. After they confirm they do, he explains that those who have been instructed in the Kingdom's truths are like a good householder who skillfully draws from their storage, bringing out both familiar and fresh provisions as needed. This emphasizes the ongoing teaching and application of God's Word by those who lead.
Jesus has just finished a series of parables about the Kingdom of Heaven, and he asks his disciples if they understand. After they confirm they do, he explains that those who have been instructed in the Kingdom's truths are like a good householder who skillfully draws from their storage, bringing out both familiar and fresh provisions as needed. This emphasizes the ongoing teaching and application of God's Word by those who lead.
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Bringing Forth Richness
The master of the house doesn't just have these treasures; he actively brings them out. This signifies the generous and varied way a good teacher shares God's Word. It’s about adapting the eternal truths to meet the needs of different people and different times, always drawing from the abundant storehouse of God's truth, with Christ Himself as the ultimate source.
Why does Jesus compare teaching to a householder bringing out provisions? It’s about intentional sharing that nourishes everyone.
This parable isn't just about accumulating spiritual knowledge; it's about the active, generous distribution of that knowledge.
More Than Hoarding
The master of the house doesn't keep his treasures locked away. He brings them out, implying a conscious act of sharing. Similarly, a disciple trained for the kingdom is meant to be a conduit of God’s truth, not a reservoir that hoards it.
Tailored Nourishment
Think of a skilled host preparing a meal. They don’t serve the same dish to everyone. They bring out what is appropriate for each guest, considering their needs and preferences. In the same way, a faithful teacher draws from their store of ‘new and old’ truths to minister effectively to the diverse needs of God’s people. This requires wisdom, discernment, and a deep love for those being taught.
A place of storage for valuable items, often used metaphorically for the heart or the storehouse of spiritual truth and wisdom from which one draws for the benefit of others.
"And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”" — The phrase "things new and old" isn't just about mixing scripture with new ideas; it highlights how a wise teacher connects timeless truths with fresh, relevant applications. They don't just present…
