The Meaning of Matthew 13:52 Explained

Matthew 13:52

KJV: Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

YLT: And he said to them, 'Because of this every scribe having been discipled in regard to the reign of the heavens, is like to a man, a householder, who doth bring forth out of his treasure things new and old.'

Darby: And he said to them, For this reason every scribe discipled to the kingdom of the heavens is like a man that is a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.

ASV: And he said unto them, Therefore every scribe who hath been made a disciple to the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a householder, who bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Then  said  he unto them,  Therefore  every  scribe  [which is] instructed  unto  the kingdom  of heaven  is  like  unto a man  [that is] an householder,  which  bringeth forth  out of  his  treasure  [things] new  and  old. 

What does Matthew 13:52 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Commentators often omit this verse from discussions of the parables in this discourse. Some do not consider it one of the parables of the kingdom. [1] However it contains a parable, as should be clear from the content of the verse itself and from the literary structure of the discourse.
Jesus drew a comparison between a scribe instructed about the kingdom and the owner of a house. In view of what follows the scribe in view seems to be one who received instruction about the kingdom and believed it. He is a believing disciple. As with the owner of a house, this type of scribe brings new and old things out of his storeroom or treasure (Gr. thesauros). The owner of the house in the parable brings things out of his storeroom to use them beneficially. The storeroom from which the disciple scribe brings these things is evidently his heart or understanding (i.e, his very being). He brings out new understanding concerning the kingdom that Jesus had taught him as well as old understanding about the kingdom that the Old Testament taught him. The new did not displace the old but supplemented it. Jesus was comparing His believing disciples to this believing scribe. They had just said they understood what Jesus had taught them ( Matthew 13:51). Therefore they had a responsibility to teach others what they now understood. Every disciple must become a scribe, a teacher of the law, because he or she understands things that require communicating to others (cf. Matthew 10:27; Matthew 28:19; Hebrews 5:12).
"The first two parables relate to planting. The parable of the sower speaks of different responses to the message of the kingdom. The parable of the tares explains the origins of the conflict between the sons of the kingdom and the sons of the enemy and announces that a final separation of the two groups will take place when Jesus, the Son of Prayer of Manasseh , will return at the end of the age. The second pair of parables utilizes the analogy of growth. The mustard seed reveals the extent of the rapid international growth of the kingdom of heaven, and the leavening process addresses the internal and invisible dynamic of that growth. The next two parables (the treasure and the pearl merchant) address the value of the kingdom. Whether one is looking or not looking, no sacrifice is too great for the kingdom. The final set of parables reveals the disciples" dual responsibilities. The dragnet teaches that evangelism without discrimination should be done in view of Jesus" discriminating judgment at the end of the age. The householder encourages the teaching of both the older and newer truths of the kingdom of heaven by the disciples of the kingdom." [2]

Context Summary

Matthew 13:51-58 - How Unbelief Hinders
God's truth is always new and always old. It is as fresh as the morning breeze for each coming generation. But however stated, the fundamental facts are invariable. Let us store our minds and hearts with holy and helpful thoughts, so as to deal them out as the occasions serve.
Compare Matthew 13:53 with Luke 4:16-30. The question His townspeople put is stated a little differently in Mark 6:3. Till He left home, at the age of thirty, for His baptism, our Lord evidently worked with His hands. Perhaps the full wonder of His nature was not realized even by Himself. But surely none can despise manual toil when the Son of man wrought at the bench, making, according to the old tradition, implements of husbandry.
Sons and daughters were born to Joseph and Mary, whose names are here given. Alas, that we do not see the glory in common, familiar people and circumstances! Never forget that the absence of expectant faith does more to limit the progress of the gospel than the lack of funds! [source]

Chapter Summary: Matthew 13

1  The parable of the sower and the seed;
18  the explanation of it
24  The parable of the weeds;
31  of the mustard seed;
33  of the leaven;
36  explanation of the parable of the weeds
44  The parable of the hidden treasure;
45  of the pearl;
47  of the drag net cast into the sea
53  Jesus is a prophet without honor in his own country

Greek Commentary for Matthew 13:52

Made a disciple to the kingdom of heaven [ματετευτεις τηι βασιλειαι των ουρανων]
First aorist passive participle. The verb is transitive in Matthew 28:19. Here a scribe is made a learner to the kingdom. “The mere scribe, Rabbinical in spirit, produces only the old and stale. The disciple of the kingdom like the Master, is always fresh-minded, yet knows how to value all old spiritual treasures of Holy Writ, or Christian tradition” (Bruce). So he uses things fresh “He hurls forth” (εκβαλλει — ekballei) both sorts. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Matthew 13:52

Matthew 13:31 Is like [ομοια εστιν]
Adjective for comparison with associative instrumental as in Matthew 13:13, Matthew 13:44, Matthew 13:45, Matthew 13:47, Matthew 13:52. [source]
John 8:53 Which is dead [ὅστις]
The compound pronoun ὅστις , which, is used explicatively, according to a familiar New Testament usage, instead of the simple relative. The sense is, seeing that he is dead. The compound relative properly indicates the class or kind to which an object belongs. Art thou greater than Abraham, who is himself one of the dead? So Colossians 3:5. “Mortify covetousness, seeing it is ( ἥτις ἐστὶν ) idolatry.” See on Matthew 13:52; see on Matthew 21:41; see on Mark 12:18; see on Luke 12:1; see on Acts 7:53; see on Acts 10:41; see on 1 Peter 2:11. [source]
Acts 14:21 Taught [μαθητεύσαντες]
More correctly, made disciples of, as Rev. See on Matthew 13:52. [source]
1 Corinthians 4:1 Stewards of the mysteries of God [οικονομους μυστηριων τεου]
The steward or house manager Hence the under-rower They were entrusted with the knowledge of some of God‘s secrets though the disciples were not such apt pupils as they claimed to be (Matthew 13:51; Matthew 16:8-12). As stewards Paul and other ministers are entrusted with the mysteries (see note on 1 Corinthians 2:7 for this word) of God and are expected to teach them. “The church is the οικος — oikos (1 Timothy 3:15), God the οικοδεσποτης — oikodespotēs (Matthew 13:52), the members the οικειοι — oikeioi (Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 2:19)” (Lightfoot). Paul had a vivid sense of the dignity of this stewardship The ministry is more than a mere profession or trade. It is a calling from God for stewardship. [source]
2 Corinthians 3:14 Of the old covenant [tēs palaias diathēkēs)]
The Old Testament. Palaios (ancient) in contrast to της παλαιας διατηκης — kainos (fresh, 2 Corinthians 3:6). See note on Matthew 13:52. The same veil (Παλαιος — to auto kalumma). Not that identical veil, but one that has the same effect, that blinds their eyes to the light in Christ. This is the tragedy of modern Judaism. Unlifted Present passive participle of το αυτο καλυμμα — anakaluptō old verb, to draw back the veil, to unveil. Is done away (μη ανακαλυπτομενον — katargeitai). Same verb as in 2 Corinthians 3:7, 2 Corinthians 3:11. [source]
Colossians 3:9 Seeing that ye have put off [απεκδυσαμενοι]
First aorist middle participle (causal sense of the circumstantial participle) of the double compound verb απεκδυομαι — apekduomai for which see note on Colossians 2:15. The απο — apo has the perfective sense (wholly), “having stripped clean off.” The same metaphor as αποτεστε — apothesthe in Colossians 3:8. The old man (τον παλαιον αντρωπον — ton palaion anthrōpon). Here Paul brings in another metaphor (mixes his metaphors as he often does), that of the old life of sin regarded as “the ancient man” of sin already crucified (Romans 6:6) and dropped now once and for all as a mode of life (aorist tense). See same figure in Ephesians 4:22. Παλαιος — Palaios is ancient in contrast with νεος — neos (young, new) as in Matthew 9:17 or καινος — kainos (fresh, unused) as in Matthew 13:52. With his doings Practice must square with profession. [source]
Colossians 3:9 The old man [τον παλαιον αντρωπον]
Here Paul brings in another metaphor (mixes his metaphors as he often does), that of the old life of sin regarded as “the ancient man” of sin already crucified (Romans 6:6) and dropped now once and for all as a mode of life (aorist tense). See same figure in Ephesians 4:22. Παλαιος — Palaios is ancient in contrast with νεος — neos (young, new) as in Matthew 9:17 or καινος — kainos (fresh, unused) as in Matthew 13:52. [source]
Hebrews 13:9 Be not carried away [μη παραπερεστε]
Prohibition with μη — mē and present passive imperative of παραπερω — parapherō old verb to lead along (Judges 1:12), to carry past (Mark 14:36), to lead astray as here. By divers and strange teachings For ποικιλος — poikilos (many coloured) see Hebrews 2:4. Χενος — Xenos for guest we have had in Hebrews 11:13, but here as adjective meaning unheard of (1 Peter 4:12) as in older Greek also. The new is not always wrong any more than the old is always right (Matthew 13:52). But the air was already full of new and strange teachings that fascinated many by their very novelty. The warning here is always needed. Cf. Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Timothy 3:16. That the heart be established by grace Present passive infinitive of βεβαιοω — bebaioō (from βαινω — bainō) to make stable with the instrumental case χαριτι — chariti (by grace) and the accusative of general reference How true it is that in the atmosphere of so many windy theories only the heart is stable that has an experience of God‘s grace in Christ. That occupied themselves “That walked” in the ritualistic Jewish rules about meats. Were not profited First aorist passive indicative of ωπελεω — ōpheleō to help. Mere Jewish ceremonialism and ritualism failed to build up the spiritual life. It was sheer folly to give up Christ for Pharisaism or for Moses. [source]
Revelation 1:7 They which [οἵτινες]
The compound relative describes a class. See on Matthew 13:52; see on Matthew 21:41; see on Mark 12:18. [source]

What do the individual words in Matthew 13:52 mean?

- And He said to them Because of this every scribe having been discipled into the kingdom of the heavens like is a man a master of a house who puts forth out of the treasure of him [things] new and old
δὲ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς Διὰ τοῦτο πᾶς γραμματεὺς μαθητευθεὶς τῇ βασιλείᾳ τῶν οὐρανῶν ὅμοιός ἐστιν ἀνθρώπῳ οἰκοδεσπότῃ ὅστις ἐκβάλλει ἐκ τοῦ θησαυροῦ αὐτοῦ καινὰ καὶ παλαιά

  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
εἶπεν  He  said 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: λέγω  
Sense: to speak, say.
αὐτοῖς  to  them 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
Διὰ  Because  of 
Parse: Preposition
Root: διά  
Sense: through.
τοῦτο  this 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.
πᾶς  every 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: πᾶς  
Sense: individually.
γραμματεὺς  scribe 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: γραμματεύς  
Sense: a clerk, scribe, esp.
μαθητευθεὶς  having  been  discipled 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Passive, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: μαθητεύω  
Sense: to be a disciple of one.
τῇ  into  the 
Parse: Article, Dative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
βασιλείᾳ  kingdom 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: βασιλεία  
Sense: royal power, kingship, dominion, rule.
τῶν  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
οὐρανῶν  heavens 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: οὐρανός  
Sense: the vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible in it.
ὅμοιός  like 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ὅμοιος  
Sense: like, similar, resembling.
ἀνθρώπῳ  a  man 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: ἄνθρωπος  
Sense: a human being, whether male or female.
οἰκοδεσπότῃ  a  master  of  a  house 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: οἰκοδεσπότης  
Sense: master of the house, householder.
ἐκβάλλει  puts  forth 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἐκβάλλω  
Sense: to cast out, drive out, to send out.
ἐκ  out  of 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐκ 
Sense: out of, from, by, away from.
θησαυροῦ  treasure 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: θησαυρός  
Sense: the place in which good and precious things are collected and laid up.
αὐτοῦ  of  him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
καινὰ  [things]  new 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: καινός  
Sense: new.
παλαιά  old 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: παλαιός  
Sense: old, ancient.