To what is the kingdom of heaven likened?

A merchant man, seeking goodly pearls. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls. (Matthew 13:45) (Matthew 13:45, KJV)

What did the merchant find?

One pearl of great price. Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. (Matthew 13:46) (Matthew 13:46, KJV)

What did the merchant do when he found it?

Went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Went and sold all that he had, and bought it. (Matthew 13:46) (Matthew 13:46, KJV)

What does the pearl represent?

The kingdom of heaven, found in Christ. The pearl represents the kingdom of heaven and the incomparable value of salvation in Christ, worth any sacrifice to obtain. (Matthew 13:45-46) (Matthew 13:45, KJV)

What does the merchant's selling all represent?

The complete surrender of all for Christ. Selling all that he had represents the complete surrender of everything — possessions, reputation, former life — to gain Christ and His kingdom. (Matthew 13:46) (Matthew 13:46, KJV)

How is this parable similar to the Hidden Treasure?

Both show the incomparable value of the kingdom and the willingness to give all for it. Both the Hidden Treasure and Pearl of Great Price teach the same truth — the kingdom of heaven is worth any cost, and those who recognize its value joyfully surrender all to obtain it. (Matthew 13:44-46) (Matthew 13:44, KJV)

What kind of pearls was the merchant seeking?

Goodly pearls. Seeking goodly pearls — pearls of beauty and value, representing the search for truth and meaning in life. (Matthew 13:45) (Matthew 13:45, KJV)

Why is the kingdom likened to a pearl rather than just wealth?

Because pearls were formed through suffering and irritation, as Christ's kingdom came through His suffering. A pearl is formed when an irritant enters an oyster, and the oyster coats it with layers of nacre — a picture of how the church and kingdom come through Christ's suffering and sacrifice. (Matthew 13:45-46) (Matthew 13:45, KJV)

What must a person do to obtain the kingdom?

Recognize its value and be willing to surrender everything. The parable teaches that obtaining the kingdom requires recognizing its supreme value and being willing to let go of everything else to possess it. (Matthew 13:46) (Matthew 13:46, KJV)

What does this parable say about the seeker's attitude?

There is joy in the discovery and no regret in the cost. The merchant went joyfully and sold all — there is no regret when the value of what is gained far exceeds what is surrendered. (Matthew 13:46) (Matthew 13:46, KJV)

Back to quiz

The Pearl of Great Price Parable Quiz Flashcards

Flip-card practice with King James verse references. Click the card to reveal the answer.

Card 1 of 10

All 10 cards

The complete question + KJV answer set in this deck.

Q1. To what is the kingdom of heaven likened?
A: A merchant man, seeking goodly pearls — Matthew 13:45
Q2. What did the merchant find?
A: One pearl of great price — Matthew 13:46
Q3. What did the merchant do when he found it?
A: Went and sold all that he had, and bought it — Matthew 13:46
Q4. What does the pearl represent?
A: The kingdom of heaven, found in Christ — Matthew 13:45
Q5. What does the merchant's selling all represent?
A: The complete surrender of all for Christ — Matthew 13:46
Q6. How is this parable similar to the Hidden Treasure?
A: Both show the incomparable value of the kingdom and the willingness to give all for it — Matthew 13:44
Q7. What kind of pearls was the merchant seeking?
A: Goodly pearls — Matthew 13:45
Q8. Why is the kingdom likened to a pearl rather than just wealth?
A: Because pearls were formed through suffering and irritation, as Christ's kingdom came through His suffering — Matthew 13:45
Q9. What must a person do to obtain the kingdom?
A: Recognize its value and be willing to surrender everything — Matthew 13:46
Q10. What does this parable say about the seeker's attitude?
A: There is joy in the discovery and no regret in the cost — Matthew 13:46