Bible Strands
Matthew 13:45
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses crowds and disciples in Matthew 13, using a commercial analogy to describe the kingdom’s nature.
The words — The Greek term ὁμοίᾱ (homoia) translates literally as “like,” establishing a direct comparison between the kingdom of heaven and a merchant’s deliberate search.
The thread — The pursuit of supreme value runs through Proverbs 8:10, which prioritizes instruction over silver, and Matthew 16:26, which questions what profit remains if a man gains the world but forfeits his soul.
Why it lands — The text states that a merchant sells all he has to purchase one precious pearl, demanding a reader assess whether earthly holdings outweigh the kingdom’s cost.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
Cross-references
- Proverbs 8:10 Receive my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold.
- Proverbs 3:13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding,
- Matthew 16:26 What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
- Job 28:18 Coral and quartz are unworthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.
- Matthew 13:24 Jesus put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.
- Proverbs 8:18 With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and righteousness.
- Ecclesiastes 12:13 When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man.
- Matthew 22:5 But they paid no attention and went away, one to his field, another to his business.
- Psalms 4:6 Many ask, “Who can show us the good?” Shine the light of Your face upon us, O LORD.
- Psalms 39:6 Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away.