What Is the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price?
What Is the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price? The Pearl of Great Price is Jesus' parable about a merchant who sold everything to buy one supremely valuable pearl — a picture of the worth of God's kingdom.
Key verse: Matthew 13:45-46 (KJV)
The Pearl of Great Price is Jesus' parable about a merchant who sold everything to buy one supremely valuable pearl — a picture of the worth of God's kingdom.
The Pearl of Great Price is Jesus' parable about a merchant who sold everything to buy one supremely valuable pearl — a picture of the worth of God's kingdom.
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly 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 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
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The Biblical Answer
In Matthew 13:45-46, Jesus says the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking goodly pearls. When he finds one pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it. The parable is similar to the Hidden Treasure, but with a key difference: the merchant was actively searching. He knew the value of pearls and recognized something beyond comparison when he saw it. The pearl represents Christ and His kingdom. To gain Him is worth any sacrifice — reputation, comfort, earthly security, even life itself. The merchant did not negotiate a lower price; he gave everything. True discipleship is not partial commitment but total surrender, motivated by the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.
Topic Overview
What Does the Bible Say About Heaven?
What the Bible reveals about heaven, eternal life, and our future home with God.
Key Scripture References
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it."
"Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
What Is the Parable of the Hidden Treasure?
The Hidden Treasure is Jesus' parable about a man who discovers treasure in a field and joyfully sells everything to buy the field and gain the treasure.
What Is the Kingdom of God?
The kingdom of God is the sovereign rule of God over all creation, manifested in Christ's reign and extending to the hearts of all who submit to Him.
What Is the Passion of Christ?
The Passion of Christ refers to the suffering, crucifixion, and death of Jesus — the events that secured salvation for all who believe.
What Is Palm Sunday?
Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem one week before His resurrection, when crowds waved palm branches and cried 'Hosanna!'
What Year Did Jesus Die?
Most scholars place the crucifixion of Jesus in either AD 30 or AD 33, with AD 33 being the most commonly accepted date.
Deep Dive Commentary
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Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Matthew. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Matthew on day 284 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “What Is the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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