Matthew 13:45-46 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like to a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:… I. I shall show you why Christ is compared to a pearl — to the richest pearl. Pearls, naturalists tell us, have a strange birth and original. II. Some pearls are of great worth. Our Lord Jesus Christ no doubt is compared to a pearl of great price upon this account chiefly — He is of inestimable value (Isaiah 43:4). III. Pearls have a hidden virtue in them, though but small in bigness, yet great in efficacy. Jesus Christ had a hidden virtue in Him — though little in the eyes of carnal persons, yet such as receive Him in faith, find wonderful virtue in Him (Luke 8:46). Such is the hidden virtue of Jesus Christ, of this Pearl, that when a man finds it, and partakes thereof inwardly — it fills him with joy and earthly comfort. IV. Pearls are of a splendid and oriental brightness — both without and within. Jesus Christ may be compared to a pearl on this account (Hebrews 1:3). V. Pearls — nay, one pearl of great price, enriches him that finds it. So they that find the pearl of great price, Jesus Christ, and lay hold on Him, are greatly enriched, they are spiritually rich, eternally rich (Ephesians 3:5). VI. Some men, when they have found a pearl of great price, they know not the worth of it. They perhaps think some other pearls are of equal value, or as rich us that which they have found. So some, when they have found Christ, know not the worth, the riches of Him, but are ready to esteem other pearls equally with Christ. VII. This being so, it followeth hence, that it behoveth him that finds a pearl of great price to know it well what it is, and also its just value, Jest he be cheated and part with it for pearls of little value in comparison of that. VIII. Pearls, rich pearls of great price, are commonly kept in the possession of noble persons, who are adorned with them, and are known to be noble persons. So the saints, born of God, are the most excellent in all the earth, and these only are adorned with goodly pearls (Ezekiel 16:11). (B. Keach.) Parallel Verses KJV: Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:WEB: "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a merchant seeking fine pearls, |
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