“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”
Matthew 13:45-46
The seven parables in Matthew 13 depict the Kingdom of Heaven. Within this Kingdom are those who merely profess to be Christians—false believers—as well as those who truly possess Christ and His salvation. Today, this Kingdom is represented by Christendom, comprised of both the true and the false. The above parable illustrates what is genuine and valued by the Lord Jesus.
There are two very distinct views regarding the meaning of this parable. One perspective suggests that it represents the unsaved searching for value and purpose in life. When the pearl of great price is found, that is, when someone discovers the Lord Jesus, it is worth giving up everything to receive Him as Savior. The other interpretation holds that the merchant is the Lord Jesus Himself, who gave everything to purchase what was most precious, the Church.
The second interpretation better fits the context of the chapter and the imagery presented. At the end of Matthew 12, the Lord’s earthly family is outside the house, seeking to speak with Him. The Lord Jesus responds by saying that His family consists of those who do the will of His Father. In Chapter 13, He leaves the house and goes down to the seaside, where He tells four parables describing the kingdom of heaven. In each of these parables, another force is at work: Satan snatching the seed, the enemy sowing tares, birds finding a place in the tree, and leaven being introduced into the meal. After telling these parables, the Lord goes back into the house and speaks to the disciples.
The second of the three parables told in the house is the “One Pearl of Great Price.” The context indicates a shift in what is valued in the Kingdom: the treasure in the field, the pearl, and the good fish. Although pearls are not mentioned in the Old Testament, they appear prominently in Revelation 21:21, where each of the twelve gates is made from a single pearl. The precious pearl in the parable was exceedingly valuable, and the merchant sold all he possessed to acquire it. This reflects the Lord Jesus, who gave everything—even His very life—to purchase us.
Devotionally, it is worth noting the following. The pearl is unique in that it is the only gem produced by a living creature. The oyster responds to a grain of sand that has penetrated its shell by secreting mother-of-pearl to coat the irritant. Thus, the gem is formed as a result of a wound in the oyster’s side. This serves as a reminder of the wounded side of the Lord Jesus and what was accomplished through it. The pearl also symbolizes the unity that exists in Christ—one body in the Lord—and the ongoing growth of the Church. The devotional insights associated with this story are truly valuable and precious.