TREASURES AND TRASH

The parables in Matthew 13:44-52 continue the series of eight that are found in this chapter. The previous parables were told in public to a large crowd (see Matthew 13:1-3). Now Jesus moves into a house where the disciples came to him (Matthew 13:36). He first explains the parable about the weeds among the wheat. He then proceeds to tell the three parables in Matthew 13:44-52. Two of the parables, the treasure hidden in the field and the pearl of great value, are twins. The third parable about the net and fishes is a twin to the earlier parable about the weeds and the wheat. This follows a familiar organizing principle in Matthew of ABBA. Again all three parables are intended to describe the nature and value of the kingdom of heaven. They all begin with the same phras…