Matthew 13:52
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.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ
he unto them
G846
αὐτοῦ
he unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
4 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Διὰ
Therefore
G1223
Διὰ
Therefore
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
5 of 27
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
μαθητευθεὶς
which is instructed
G3100
μαθητευθεὶς
which is instructed
Strong's:
G3100
Word #:
9 of 27
intransitively, to become a pupil; transitively, to disciple, i.e., enrol as scholar
εἰς
unto
G1519
εἰς
unto
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
10 of 27
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βασιλείαν
the kingdom
G932
βασιλείαν
the kingdom
Strong's:
G932
Word #:
12 of 27
properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐρανῶν
of heaven
G3772
οὐρανῶν
of heaven
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
14 of 27
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
ἐκ
out of
G1537
ἐκ
out of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
21 of 27
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θησαυροῦ
treasure
G2344
θησαυροῦ
treasure
Strong's:
G2344
Word #:
23 of 27
a deposit, i.e., wealth (literally or figuratively)
αὐτοῦ
he unto them
G846
αὐτοῦ
he unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
24 of 27
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καινὰ
things new
G2537
καινὰ
things new
Strong's:
G2537
Word #:
25 of 27
new (especially in freshness; while g3501 is properly so with respect to age
Cross References
Titus 1:9Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.Proverbs 15:7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.Matthew 12:35A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.Ezra 7:21And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,Ezra 7:10For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.Proverbs 18:4The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.Matthew 23:34Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:Luke 11:49Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute:Colossians 1:7As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;Colossians 3:16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Historical Context
This final mini-parable concludes Jesus's day of kingdom parables, commissioning the disciples as the new interpreters of God's revelation. In Jewish culture, a householder managed his estate's resources. Jesus pictures kingdom scribes as stewards who draw from both testaments, validating continuity with Israel's Scripture while introducing the new covenant. Matthew, a former tax collector turned apostle, exemplifies this model perfectly.
Questions for Reflection
- How does your teaching or testimony draw from both Old Testament types and New Testament fulfillment?
- In what ways does modern evangelicalism wrongly neglect 'the old things' in favor of novel teachings?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven (πᾶς γραμματεὺς μαθητευθεὶς τῇ βασιλείᾳ τῶν οὐρανῶν)—The γραμματεύς (scribe) was an expert in Torah, but here Jesus redefines the role. The aorist passive participle μαθητευθείς ('having been discipled') shows these are not self-taught experts but those taught by Christ Himself. They are scribes transformed by kingdom instruction—a new kind of teacher who bridges Old and New Covenants.
Like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old (ὅστις ἐκβάλλει ἐκ τοῦ θησαυροῦ αὐτοῦ καινὰ καὶ παλαιά)—The οἰκοδεσπότης (householder, master of the house) has a θησαυρός (treasure-store) containing both καινά (fresh, unprecedented revelation—the kingdom mysteries) and παλαιά (ancient truth—the Old Testament). The verb ἐκβάλλει ('throws out, brings forth') suggests generous, purposeful distribution. This describes Matthew's own Gospel, which constantly shows Jesus fulfilling Old Testament prophecy while revealing new truth.