How does Matthew 13:52 connect with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20? Setting the Scene Jesus closes the parable section in Matthew 13 with a word about “every scribe who has been discipled for the kingdom,” then, at the end of the Gospel, He sends His disciples into the world. The two moments bookend Christ’s teaching ministry and show how He intends His followers to handle and spread the treasure of divine revelation. Key Texts Side by Side “Therefore every scribe who has been discipled for the kingdom of heaven is like a homeowner who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.” “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Shared Vocabulary—“Discipled” and “Teaching” • Both passages hinge on μαθητεύω (“to disciple”): – 13:52: the scribe “has been discipled for the kingdom.” – 28:19: “make disciples of all nations.” • Teaching is explicit in 28:20 and implied in 13:52. Discipled scribes become teachers who release their stored treasure. The Scribe-Trained Disciple (Matthew 13:52) • Identity: a “scribe”—someone skilled in Scripture (Ezra 7:6). • Transformation: “has been discipled for the kingdom,” meaning personal training by Jesus. • Responsibility: like a homeowner with a storeroom, he draws out: – Old treasures: the Law, Prophets, Psalms pointing to Christ (Luke 24:27). – New treasures: the fulfilled realities now revealed in Jesus (Hebrews 1:1-2). • Outcome: an ever-fresh presentation of God’s truth, faithful to the past yet alive in the present. The Commissioned Disciple-Maker (Matthew 28:19-20) • Scope: “all nations” (Genesis 12:3 fulfilled). • Method: – Go. – Make disciples. – Baptize. – Teach “all” Jesus commanded—comprehensive, not selective. • Promise: Christ’s abiding presence empowers the task. Connecting Threads 1. Same Goal—Kingdom Expansion • 13:52: equip scribes to unpack the kingdom’s riches. • 28:19-20: spread that kingdom to every nation. 2. Same Means—Scripture Saturated Teaching • Scribe’s storeroom = full counsel of God (Acts 20:27). • Great Commission teaching = “all that I have commanded.” 3. Old and New → Fulfillment and Mission • 13:52 emphasizes continuity: the gospel is rooted in the Old Testament yet delivers new covenant realities. • 28:19-20 sends disciples to proclaim both: the promised Messiah has come, and His new covenant is offered to all. 4. Discipled to Disciple • In 13:52 the disciples are being shaped; in 28:19-20 they shape others, creating a multiplying cycle (2 Timothy 2:2). Practical Implications for Today • Know the Storeroom: Regularly study both Testaments; Christ is the key that unlocks each shelf. • Teach the Whole Treasure: Present God’s holiness, humanity’s need, Christ’s work, and the call to obedience. • Disciple Relationally: Like a homeowner sharing valuables, invite others into life-on-life learning. • Go Beyond Familiar Circles: The storeroom is meant for “all nations,” not just our local neighborhood. • Depend on Christ’s Presence: Every act of discipling rests on His promised companionship (John 15:5). |
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