Matthew 13:52 - He said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been made a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a householder, who brings out of his treasure new and old things.”
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Matthew 13:52" mean?
Matthew 13:52 is a rich and insightful verse that speaks to the role of a knowledgeable and well-trained teacher within the Christian faith. Let's break it down:
"He said to them...": This refers to Jesus speaking to his disciples. He has just finished telling a series of parables about the Kingdom of Heaven.
"Therefore every scribe who has been made a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven...":
Scribe: In Jesus' time, scribes were experts in Jewish law and scripture. They were responsible for copying, interpreting, and teaching the Law.
Made a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven: This is a crucial point. It signifies a scribe who has become a follower of Jesus and has embraced the teachings of the Kingdom of Heaven. They are not simply learned in the old ways but have been transformed by the new revelation of Christ.
"...is like a man who is a householder...":
Householder: This refers to the owner or manager of a household. In this context, the householder represents someone in a position of responsibility, who controls resources and knowledge.
"...who brings out of his treasure new and old things.”:
Treasure: This is the valuable storehouse of knowledge and wisdom that the scribe/disciple possesses.
New and Old Things: This is the heart of the verse. It refers to the scribe's ability to draw upon both the established teachings of the Old Testament ("old things") and the new insights and revelations brought by Jesus ("new things").
Overall Meaning and Interpretations
Here's a synthesis of the verse's meaning, considering the elements above:
1. Bridging the Old and New Covenants: The verse emphasizes that understanding the Kingdom of Heaven doesn't mean abandoning the Old Testament. Instead, it requires a skillful integration of the old and new. The "new" (Jesus' teachings, the Gospel) builds upon the "old" (Jewish Law and Prophets), clarifying and fulfilling it. The qualified scribe/disciple can see the continuity and connection between the two.
2. Responsible Teaching: The verse underscores the responsibility of teachers and leaders in the church. They must be well-versed in both the Old and New Testaments to guide their communities effectively. They should not neglect either the foundations of the Old Testament or the transformative power of the Gospel.
3. The Importance of Discernment: A scribe who has become a disciple is not simply regurgitating information. They are discerning and insightful, able to apply both the old and the new wisdom to relevant situations and answer questions with depth and understanding.
4. Treasures of Wisdom: This verse suggests that those who follow Christ have access to a vast storehouse of wisdom, combining tradition with revelation.
In essence, Matthew 13:52 highlights the importance of integrating the Old Testament scriptures with the new teachings of Jesus. A true disciple of Christ, especially one who teaches, should be able to draw upon both sources of wisdom to effectively explain and share the message of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 13:52 - He said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been made a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a householder, who brings out of his treasure new and old things.”
What does "Matthew 13:52" mean?
Matthew 13:52 is a rich and insightful verse that speaks to the role of a knowledgeable and well-trained teacher within the Christian faith. Let's break it down:
"He said to them...": This refers to Jesus speaking to his disciples. He has just finished telling a series of parables about the Kingdom of Heaven.
"Therefore every scribe who has been made a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven...":
Scribe: In Jesus' time, scribes were experts in Jewish law and scripture. They were responsible for copying, interpreting, and teaching the Law.
Made a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven: This is a crucial point. It signifies a scribe who has become a follower of Jesus and has embraced the teachings of the Kingdom of Heaven. They are not simply learned in the old ways but have been transformed by the new revelation of Christ.
"...is like a man who is a householder...":
Householder: This refers to the owner or manager of a household. In this context, the householder represents someone in a position of responsibility, who controls resources and knowledge.
"...who brings out of his treasure new and old things.”:
Treasure: This is the valuable storehouse of knowledge and wisdom that the scribe/disciple possesses.
New and Old Things: This is the heart of the verse. It refers to the scribe's ability to draw upon both the established teachings of the Old Testament ("old things") and the new insights and revelations brought by Jesus ("new things").
Overall Meaning and Interpretations
Here's a synthesis of the verse's meaning, considering the elements above:
1. Bridging the Old and New Covenants: The verse emphasizes that understanding the Kingdom of Heaven doesn't mean abandoning the Old Testament. Instead, it requires a skillful integration of the old and new. The "new" (Jesus' teachings, the Gospel) builds upon the "old" (Jewish Law and Prophets), clarifying and fulfilling it. The qualified scribe/disciple can see the continuity and connection between the two.
2. Responsible Teaching: The verse underscores the responsibility of teachers and leaders in the church. They must be well-versed in both the Old and New Testaments to guide their communities effectively. They should not neglect either the foundations of the Old Testament or the transformative power of the Gospel.
3. The Importance of Discernment: A scribe who has become a disciple is not simply regurgitating information. They are discerning and insightful, able to apply both the old and the new wisdom to relevant situations and answer questions with depth and understanding.
4. Treasures of Wisdom: This verse suggests that those who follow Christ have access to a vast storehouse of wisdom, combining tradition with revelation.
In essence, Matthew 13:52 highlights the importance of integrating the Old Testament scriptures with the new teachings of Jesus. A true disciple of Christ, especially one who teaches, should be able to draw upon both sources of wisdom to effectively explain and share the message of the Kingdom of Heaven.