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)
This verse highlights that a true teacher of God's kingdom isn't just someone who knows the latest revelations, but also someone who deeply treasures and can skillfully re-present the foundational truths of the faith. They’re like a wise homeowner who brings out both recently harvested produce and provisions from the past, offering a rich and varied feast. This means understanding how the old points to the new, and how the new fulfills the old.
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)
After Jesus tells several parables about the kingdom of heaven, he asks his disciples if they understand. When they affirm they do, he then explains that anyone who has been taught about the kingdom is like a master of a household, able to draw from their stored wisdom to teach both familiar truths and new insights. This encourages them to share what they've learned, not just keep it to themselves.
Jesus sometimes used the language of Jewish scribes, but with a heavenly twist. What does it mean to be 'trained for the kingdom of heaven'?
Jesus calls His disciples to a new kind of scribal work. Unlike the earthly scribes focused on the letter of the Law, these disciples are 'trained for the kingdom of heaven.' This means their instruction isn't just about memorizing rules; it's about understanding and living out the principles of God's reign.
A New Kind of Teacher
Every faithful teacher has a 'treasure' from which they draw. What makes up this divine storehouse, and why is it so important to bring forth its contents?
The 'treasure' mentioned here represents the vast storehouse of God's truth. For the Old Testament scribes, this was the Law and the Prophets. For Jesus' disciples, it's the richness of the Gospel, including both the timeless truths of God's character and the new revelations brought by Christ.
What's in the Treasure?
Ask a follow-up
Why does Jesus emphasize bringing forth both 'new' and 'old' from this spiritual treasure? What does this balance look like in practice?
The 'new and old' speaks to a rich, integrated understanding of God's revelation. It’s not about discarding the past for the sake of novelty, nor is it about clinging to outdated traditions at the expense of fresh insight.
The Art of Spiritual Synthesis
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
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.
This verse directly follows Jesus' explanation of his parables, marking a pivotal moment where he shifts from teaching the crowds to instructing his disciples. He's essentially ordaining them as the first 'scribes' of the new covenant, equipping them to blend ancient truths with the revolutionary message of God's kingdom.
c. 450 BC
Ezra's Reforms and the Scribe's Role
Ezra, a scribe, leads religious reforms in Jerusalem, re-establishing the Law and the importance of its public reading and teaching. This period solidifies the role of scribes as interpreters and teachers of Scripture.
c. 400 BC - 100 BC
Development of Jewish Exegesis
Jewish scribes engage in extensive interpretation and commentary on the Old Testament, developing methods of textual analysis and establishing traditions that would shape understanding for centuries.
c. 70 BC - 4 BC
The Hillel and Shammai Schools
Two prominent schools of scribal interpretation, led by Hillel and Shammai, emerge, known for their rigorous, often differing, approaches to interpreting the Law and their impact on Jewish thought.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Ministry and Teaching
Jesus begins his public ministry, teaching with unique authority and often contrasting his message with the established interpretations of the scribes. He calls disciples to follow him and learn his ways.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus Instructs His Disciples
Jesus spends considerable time teaching his closest followers, preparing them to carry on his message. This period includes the parables in Matthew 13, culminating in Jesus' instruction on how they should teach.
c. AD 40-60
Apostolic Preaching and Teaching
Following Jesus' ascension, the apostles and other early Christian leaders, acting as 'scribes of the kingdom,' begin to spread the Gospel, drawing from both the Old Testament and the new teachings of Christ.
This verse speaks of God's unchanging nature, highlighting that His faithfulness, like the 'old' truths of the Law, remains steadfast, while the 'new' aspects are His current revelations and promises.
1 Corinthians 2:10This passage explains how God reveals His 'deep things' through His Spirit, connecting to the idea of a treasure from which 'new' spiritual truths are brought forth and understood.
Isaiah 28:29This verse describes God's wonderful counsel, showing that even in ancient times, His wisdom was intricate and varied, much like the 'new and old' provisions a skilled householder would offer.
Jeremiah 15:16Jeremiah describes finding God's words and eating them, illustrating the deep internalization and ready outpouring of spiritual truth, akin to a householder bringing forth from his treasure.
Song of Solomon 7:13This verse mentions fruits 'new and old,' suggesting a rich abundance and variety that speaks to the kind of plentiful, seasoned offering a master of a household would provide.
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…
This verse highlights that a true teacher of God's kingdom isn't just someone who knows the latest revelations, but also someone who deeply treasures and can skillfully re-present the foundational truths of the faith. They’re like a wise homeowner who brings out both recently harvested produce and provisions from the past, offering a rich and varied feast. This means understanding how the old points to the new, and how the new fulfills the old.
After Jesus tells several parables about the kingdom of heaven, he asks his disciples if they understand. When they affirm they do, he then explains that anyone who has been taught about the kingdom is like a master of a household, able to draw from their stored wisdom to teach both familiar truths and new insights. This encourages them to share what they've learned, not just keep it to themselves.
After Jesus tells several parables about the kingdom of heaven, he asks his disciples if they understand. When they affirm they do, he then explains that anyone who has been taught about the kingdom is like a master of a household, able to draw from their stored wisdom to teach both familiar truths and new insights. This encourages them to share what they've learned, not just keep it to themselves.
"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.”" — This verse highlights that a true teacher of God's kingdom isn't just someone who knows the latest revelations, but also someone who deeply treasures and can skillfully re-present the foundational tr…
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Last reviewed October 2026