Matthew 13:45

 Matthew 13:45

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:

 a. ASV: Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a merchant seeking goodly pearls:  [Thomas Nelson & Sons first published the American Standard Version in 1901. This translation of the Bible is in the public domain.]

b. YLT: 'Again, the reign of the heavens is like to a man, a merchant, seeking goodly pearls,  [The Young's Literal Translation was translated by Robert Young, who believed in a strictly literal translation of God's word. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.]

c. Classic Amplified: Again the kingdom of heaven is like a man who is a dealer in search of fine and precious pearls,  [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

d. Peshitta Eastern Text: Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant who was seeking goodly pearls. [HOLY BIBLE FROM THE ANCIENT EASTERN TEXT. Copyright  Ⓒ 1933 by A.J. Holmon Co.; copyright  Ⓒ renewed 1968 by A.J. Holmon Co.; All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. HarperCollins Publishers, 195 Broadway, New York, NY 10007.]

1. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:”

a. Again [Strong: 3825. palin pal'-in probably from the same as 3823 (through the idea of oscillatory repetition); (adverbially) anew, i.e. (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand:--again.]

b. the [Strong: 3588. [hē] ὁ ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [hē] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.] [Additional variants: tē, hoi, oi, tēn, ta, tēs, tois, tais, tō, tōn, tou, hé  hē, hai, tas.]

c. kingdom [Strong: 932. basileia bas-il-i'-ah from 935; properly, royalty, i.e. (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively):--kingdom, + reign.]

d. [Strong: 3588. [tōn] ὁ ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [tōn] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.] [Additional variants: tē, hoi, oi, tēn, ta, tēs, tois, tais, tō, tōn, tou, hé  hē, hai, tas.]

e. [of] heaven [Strong: 3772. ouranos oo-ran-os' perhaps from the same as 3735 (through the idea of elevation); the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel (Christianity):--air, heaven(-ly), sky.]

f. is [Strong: 2076. esti es-tee' third person singular present indicative of 1510; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.]

g. like [Strong: 3664. homoios hom'-oy-os from the base of 3674; similar (in appearance or character):--like, + manner.]

e. [unto a] merchant [Strong: 1713. emporos em'-por-os from 1722 and the base of 4198; a (wholesale) tradesman:--merchant.]

f. man [Strong: 444. anthropos anth'-ro-pos from 435 and ops (the countenance; from 3700); man-faced, i.e. a human being:--certain, man.]

g. seeking [Strong: 2212. zeteo dzay-teh'-o of uncertain affinity; to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by Hebraism) to worship (God), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life):--be (go) about, desire, endeavour, enquire (for), require, (X will) seek (after, for, means).]

h. goodly [Strong: 2570. kalos kal-os' of uncertain affinity; properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e. valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished from 18, which is properly intrinsic):--X better, fair, good(-ly), honest, meet, well, worthy.]

i. pearls [Strong: 3135. margarites mar-gar-ee'-tace from margaros (a pearl-oyster); a pearl:--pearl.]

1). Gordon Lindsay, The Life And Teachings Of Christ: As we have seen the man in the other parables is Christ. The merchantman is also. The pearl is the Church, the called out company of all peoples, tongues, and nations who make up the true Temple of God [Ephesians 2:18-22]. The pearl comes from the sea, which is a type of nations, tongues and peoples (Revelation 15:4). So the Church is taken out of the world, members coming from every tribe and tongue and nations. The pearl is secured through the oyster’s death. When the oysters are brought to the surface, they are allowed to die. They must not be opened immediately, else the pearl would be marred. So the death of Christ gives glory and beauty to the church. To secure this pearl Christ sold all that He had. He gave up the glory that he had with the Father before the world was. He surrendered His divine prerogatives and attributes and came to the earth, taking upon Himself the form of a servant. He gave up all theis that he might make the pearl of great price…

a). Ast 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

b). 1 Peter 1:18-20 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

2). J. Vernon McGee: Christ is the merchantman and the lost world is the pearl.