Daily Writing

Wednesday, 22 October 2025

who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Matthew 13:46

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“who, having found one highly valued pearl, having departed, he has sold all – as many as he had, and he purchased it” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus began the parable of the Pearl of Great Price. That continues with the words, “who, having found one highly valued pearl.”

A new word, polutimos, highly valued, is seen. It is derived from polus, much or many, and timé, a value. Thus, this signifies something of great value, a large sum of money, great honors, etc. Continuing, Jesus says, “having departed, he has sold all.”

Another new word is seen, pipraskó, to dispose of as merchandise or into slavery. One can see him taking his wares and selling them so that he has enough to make the purchase of this one pearl. He sold, “as many as he had, and he purchased it.”

The pearl merchant was willing to make this complete exchange to obtain this single pearl, knowing its value was more than what he already possessed. He saw the object, he understood its immense value, and he was willing to give up all else to obtain it.

As with the previous parable, this cannot be speaking merely of salvation during this dispensation, as pretty much every commentary states. If it is, the lesson would have to be stretched to the utmost extreme.

It is Jesus who purchased our salvation for us (1 Corinthians 6:20, 7:23, Ephesians 1:14, etc.), not the other way around. The parable follows the same pattern as noted in the previous parable –

*Another parable He near-set them, saying, “It is likened, the kingdom of the heavens, to a man having sown good seed in his field.”
*Again, the kingdom of the heavens, it is like treasure having been concealed in the field, which a man, having found, he concealed…
* Again, the kingdom of the heavens, it is like a man, a merchant…

Jesus is the merchant. In this case, a pearl merchant. The pearl is the effect of the gospel, meaning those who live by faith, trusting the Lord alone for their salvation. This is why Paul could say that even Abraham was included in the gospel –

“And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, ‘In you all the nations shall be blessed.’ ⁹ So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.” Galatians 3:8, 9

It explains why the “gospel” could be preached to Israel even before Jesus completed His work (as in Matthew 4:23, etc.). Jesus was willing to give up all He had to make this purchase –

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, ⁷ but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”  Philippians 2:5-8

It is through this that He made His purchase. This is just what it says, using the same Greek word, in 1 Corinthians 7:23, “You have been purchased [agorazó] at a price” (NAB).

A point about pearls should be considered. They are taken from shellfish, something deemed unclean under the Law of Moses. The point is that in a world full of unclean individuals, either for being condemned apart from the law or those who are condemned because of the law, God is looking for those of faith.

These comprise the pearl that is precious in God’s eyes. It is not those who are self-boasting and proud of their deeds under the law that God is pleased with. God has set the parameters, and He has confirmed them in His use of metaphor. Be sure to be a person of faith. This is what God is most pleased with.

Life application: As with the previous parable, this analysis bucks against almost all others. The scholar John Gill (1697-1771) seems to have figured this out, but what he penned is otherwise pretty much ignored.

But it is unthinkable to equate what is offered freely to believers with what is stated here. It is Jesus who does the work. It is we who are prized above all in His eyes. For whatever unimaginable reason, the Bible reveals it is so. Even David struggled with this –

“What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him?” Psalm 8:4

We cannot do a change-up switcheroo in the subject of these parables without coming to a faulty conclusion about what is being said. Jesus clearly stated in Matthew 13:37 that the Sower is the Son of Man.

Taking these two parables and changing the subject confuses the lessons. Jesus is the reason for Scripture’s presentation. We are the reason Jesus came. Were it not so, He would have no need to depart heaven, giving up all. There would be no point in it.

Instead of trying to earn God’s favor through the incorrectly taught explanation of these parables, stop and consider your value to God when you believe the gospel. How can it be that He would find those of faith so precious? And yet, it is so.

When you feel that you are lacking value, all you need to do is remember what Jesus Christ was willing to do to purchase you back from Satan’s power. Be assured and be reassured that you, because of your faith in Him, are a part of the pearl of great price.

This perfectly describes why the gates of the New Jerusalem are pearls, as noted in Revelation 21:21. They are a reminder of this fact.

Heavenly Father, we cannot imagine what our value is in relation to what Jesus was willing to give up in order to buy us back to You. Whatever it is, may we be people of ongoing faith, accepting that You have done it and so it must be. Thank You for the care and attention that You have lavished upon us. Amen.

Tuesday, 21 October 2025

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, Matthew 13:45

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“Again, the kingdom of the heavens, it is like a man, a merchant, seeking beautiful pearls” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus gave the parable of the hidden treasure. He next turns to another parable, beginning with, “Again, the kingdom of the heavens, it is like a merchant man.”

The word emporos, merchant, is introduced. It will be seen four more times, all in Revelation 18. It is derived from en, in, and poreuomai, to traverse, go, depart, etc. This would be a wholesale merchant who moves trade. Thus, he is an “in-traveler.” In this case, he is “seeking beautiful pearls.”

Being a merchant, he would be the go-between for those in the pearl diving trade and the jewelers who set the stones. This is a person who understands the nature of pearls. There are various aspects of a pearl that increase or decrease its value.

In today’s world, there are natural and cultured pearls. The natural ones are more valuable. At the time of Jesus, there were cultured pearls, but this was rare and limited to the area of China. Much later, in the late 1800s and on, they were cultured in Japan.

Natural pearls are prized for various aspects, such as size, luster, shape (perfect spheres being the most valuable), and color. Along with that, surface quality is also evaluated. Like anything that is prized among men, pearls have value based on their rarity. This traveling merchant specialized in pearls. He would have obsessed over every nuance, looking for the finest of them all.

Life application: Our search in life, if we appreciate quality, is to improve our surroundings and possess things that are different and special. It is true that many people are steeped in mediocrity, but even then, they will normally choose the better option of something if given the chance.

Looters, for example, are not the upper crust of society. They may live in rat holes and get a monthly welfare check, but when the power goes out and the getting is good, they will grab the 48” TV before a 36” TV. The fact that it has more value, either for showing off in the house or getting more when pawned to buy drugs, makes it the preferred target.

If we consider our place in this walk of life, we demonstrate wisdom if we are willing to search for that of the absolute highest value. But that will come down to what we think is of value.

Baseball fanatics may search for the rarest baseball card. Auto collectors may sell all they have to own a Stutz Bearcat. But these things, despite being rare, are just things. James speaks of priorities in his epistle –

“Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! ² Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. ³ Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days.” James 5:1-3

Baseball cards can get stolen, lost, ruined, etc. Cars, no matter how well tended, corrode and require constant care. But they can be destroyed in a moment during an earthquake, fire, etc. In fact, nothing physical has any true lasting value. Time causes things to change, degrade, die, etc.

The wise person will look around himself at all the great things that have been created and say, “If this is so great, God who created it all must be even greater!” In understanding this and then taking it to heart, that person will begin to admire and cherish the Creator for who He is, even if that is all he knows about Him.

But what if the Creator has provided information about Himself that goes beyond the plainly evident world? And what if there are people who have come along and said things about the Creator that make a similar claim? Is there a way to know which is the true information and which is not?

This is the search of those who truly want to know. “How can I know if this information is truly from God or not?” This is a study that will lead to the most blessed joy of all when the truth is found. Why? Because the Creator is greater than everything else.

No longer will the temporary searches for beauty, uniqueness, or cash value matter. When one truly understands who God is and knows that he possesses God intimately, the things of this world no longer bear the importance we thought they did.

How can we know if the information in the Koran, the Sutri texts, or the Bible is correct? The answer is that it will match what must be true about the Creator. This is where we as humans need to use our thinking caps. But if we truly desire God, we will be willing to consider the things of God.

In the end, if you are willing to accept it, the Bible alone contains information that is truly from God. Don’t trust this commentary at face value, though. Pick it up and read it! There you will find God because there you will find Jesus. And in finding Jesus, you will find what is most valuable of all.

Heavenly Father, how good You are to us. You have not only created a world filled with wonder and delight, but You have extended our grasp to interact with You, reaching into the infinite realm of Your love, goodness, and wisdom. May we be responsible with our time, seeking You all our days. It is a search that is well worth the time we spend. Amen.

Monday, 20 October 2025

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Matthew 13:44

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“Again, the kingdom of the heavens, it is like treasure having been concealed in the field, which a man, having found, he concealed, and from the joy of it, he withdraws and all that he has he sells and he buys that field” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus finished the explanation of the parable of the darnel. He next continues, saying, “Again, the kingdom of the heavens, it is like treasure having been concealed in the field.”

The parable of the darnel began in a similar manner. That was shown to be a parable not specifically intended for the church age, but for those who would or would not enter the millennial kingdom. This parable cannot be speaking of believers in the church.

There is nothing concealed about the gospel. It is something that has been, and continues to be, openly proclaimed throughout the world. Although nobody knows the gospel until it is told to them, it is a message that is proclaimed through preaching, tracts, knocking on doors, etc. Jesus continues His words, saying, “which a man, having found, he concealed.”

Ok, it’s true. Too many Christians hear the gospel and never bother telling anyone else. They don’t particularly care about evangelizing, handing out tracts, knocking on doors, or otherwise getting out of their safe space. They just hide it away. But that is not what one is supposed to do when hearing the gospel and accepting it.

This person found treasure in a field that doesn’t belong to him. He hides it there, quite happy about his secret, “and from the joy of it, he withdraws.”

When someone receives the gospel, believing the message he heard, he is sealed with the Spirit. It is a done deal. There is no “coming back later” to secure the deal when the gospel is heard. It is ours at that moment, or whatever moment we finally decide to believe. As for the parable, Jesus next says, “and all that he has he sells and he buys that field.”

A new word is seen, agorazó, to go to market, but by implication to purchase. Unless you are dealing with false teachers bearing a false gospel, there is no purchasing the gospel. It ain’t for sale. Believers do not need to wait. They do not need to sell anything. Nor do they need to buy the gospel. They only need to believe.

The parable is referring not to individuals but to Jesus. It is the same idea as that of the Parable of the Sower –

*Another parable He near-set them, saying, “It is likened, the kingdom of the heavens, to a man having sown good seed in his field.”
*Again, the kingdom of the heavens, it is like treasure having been concealed in the field, which a man, having found, he concealed…

The field is the world (Matthew 13:38). Jesus is the man. The devil holds possession of the world (Matthew 4:9). Jesus was willing to forsake all, giving up everything in order to regain possession of the world.

There can be no kingdom until He accomplishes this task. But in His death, He made the purchase for all humanity possible (1 Corinthians 6:20, etc.). In His completed work, the kingdom is realized. Jesus explained this to Pilate in John 18:33-37. This is why Pilate ensured the words THE KING OF THE JEWS were inscribed on the title above Jesus’ head.

Life application: It is true that this interpretation of the parable goes against the standard interpretation given throughout the church age. However, it is the only one that fits the typology of what is being conveyed.

Unfortunately, this parable has been so abused with faulty analyses over the past two thousand years that far too many people actually believe that they have to forsake everything in order to be saved. Even websites that normally provide a competent analysis of Scripture devolve into this.

They have to mix dispensations and take verses out of context in order to explain something to the church that has nothing to do with the church.

To be sure it is understood, let’s review the gospel. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4 that the gospel he preached and by which, when you believe, you are saved is –

1) Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.
2) He was buried, and
3) He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.

That is it. When you believe, you are saved. At that time, Paul says –

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were

*Sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is
*The guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession

All of this is “to the praise of His glory.”

You hear the word, you believe, you are saved, and you are sealed. That is it. Be sure to accept the wonderful gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ today!

Lord God, thank You for the saving message of Jesus. Amen.

Sunday, 19 October 2025

Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear! Matthew 13:43

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“Then the righteous, they will irradiate as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. The ‘having ears,’ let him hear!” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus referred to those who will be chucked into the furnace of fire, noting that there will be lamentation and the gnash of the teeth. Now, in contrast to them, He next says, “Then the righteous, they will irradiate.”

It is a word found only here in Scripture, eklampó. It is derived from ek, out of or from, and lampó, to give light or shine (as in a lamp). Thus, it signifies to shine out of. A comparable English word would be irradiate, a word signifying to shine out of or emit rays. One can think of the sun shining out between the clouds as they pass. The words reflect what was promised to Daniel concerning this same time –

“And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,
Some to everlasting life,
Some to shame and everlasting contempt.
³ Those who are wise shall shine
Like the brightness of the firmament,
And those who turn many to righteousness
Like the stars forever and ever.” Daniel 12:2, 3

But more, it reflects the description of Jesus at His transfiguration –

“Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; ² and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. ³ And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.” Matthew 17:1-3

Those comparisons are confirmed in the next words, “as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.”

One can see that righteousness equates to light and life, while unrighteousness has a completely negative effect on humans. Therefore, Jesus provides a closing admonition, saying, “The ‘having ears,’ let him hear!”

Those who were in attendance, and all who hear the words since, are to pay heed to what He says. Even if there are events that will differently affect those in the church and those after the tribulation, the effects of righteousness remain unchanged. The key to righteousness, however, is not from law observance or any other sort of personal merit. It comes through faith in Jesus –

“Jesus answered and said, ‘This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. ³¹ Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. ³² And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.’ ³³ This He said, signifying by what death He would die.
³⁴ The people answered Him, ‘We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this Son of Man?’
³⁵ Then Jesus said to them, ‘A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. ³⁶ While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.’ These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.” John 12:30-36

Life application: In John 12, Jesus noted that when He is lifted up, He will draw all to Himself. This means that His salvation is provided to all with no restrictions on the type of person, such as gender, race, culture, previous history of sin, etc. It does not mean that all people will be granted it, however.

One must accept Jesus’ work by faith, believing that God did what His word states. Without faith in the Son, the person who was drawn will not be granted His righteousness. Be sure to tell all about Him. That is the first step in the process.

One cannot be drawn to what he is unaware of. Once the word is heard, the choice must be made. Be sure to understand this process and not assume that God draws people independently of their free will. The idea is preposterous and has no basis in Scripture.

Likewise, the idea of universal salvation has no basis in Scripture. People must believe after hearing the word. There is no other way to be deemed righteous before God.

Lord God, thank You that You have made the gospel available to the people of the world. It is we who turned our backs on You, and yet, You made the first move to reconcile us to Yourself. What You offer is a gift that simply needs to be received. May we be wise and receive what You offer in the giving of Jesus. Amen.

Saturday, 18 October 2025

and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 13:42

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And they will cast them into the furnace of the fire. There it will be the lamentation and the gnash of the teeth” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus noted that at the end of the age, the Son of Man will send out His messengers to gather all who offend or practice lawlessness. Their fate will not be a happy one. This is seen in His next words, saying, “And they will cast them into the furnace of the fire.”

The kaminos, furnace, is introduced here. It is derived from kaió, to burn or to light (as in a lamp). Thus, it speaks of setting on fire. This then consumes what is lit. The kaminos is a place where this occurs.

Furnaces are places of immense heat, but they are also shut when ignited, making them inescapable, except through where the fumes and venting of heat take place. The idea then is that of total destruction with no chance of escape. As people are being referred to, this speaks of a place of divine judgment. This coming judgment was referred to in Malachi –

“‘For behold, the day is coming,
Burning like an oven,
And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble.
And the day which is coming shall burn them up,’
Says the Lord of hosts,
‘That will leave them neither root nor branch.
² But to you who fear My name
The Sun of Righteousness shall arise
With healing in His wings;
And you shall go out
And grow fat like stall-fed calves.
³ You shall trample the wicked,
For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet
On the day that I do this,’
Says the Lord of hosts.” Malachi 4:1-3

Of this end-of-the-age event, Jesus next says, “There it will be the lamentation and the gnash of the teeth.”

Lamentation is a sign of great mourning. Those who rejected their own chance of salvation through coming to Christ will realize the error of their ways. They will certainly plead for mercy, but none will be provided. Their chance in life was wasted on setting snares and practicing lawlessness.

Gnashing teeth is a sign of immense negative emotion that accompanies the lamentation. One ridiculous commentary found in the Expositor’s Greek-Testament says the word is “held to be inappropriate here, because the gnashing of teeth is caused by cold, not by fire.” Cold causes teeth to chatter, not gnash.

The imagery is that of people receiving the just penalty for the aberrant lives they lived. Like those at the time of Noah’s flood, they were warned by him as he prepared the ark. In the end, only he and his family were saved. An entire world of people was swept away through the judgment of the flood. In the end times, fire will replace flood.

Life application: There are times when a commentary is so ridiculous that it needs to be highlighted and spoken against. Imagine someone so nitpicky that they find fault in God’s word by claiming Jesus’ use of the word translated as gnash to describe the anguished state of these people is inappropriate. But this is what scholars who have no care about the word do.

The word brugmos, to gnash, is derived from bruchó, to grate the teeth. That is used in Acts 7 –

“‘You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. ⁵² Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, ⁵³ who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.’
⁵⁴ When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed [bruchó] at him with their teeth.” Acts 7:51-54

These people weren’t standing in the cold with their teeth chattering. Rather, they were in a heated rage at Stephen because he identified their arrogance and hypocrisy against the Lord by always resisting His will.

Be careful when you read commentaries to not accept what you hear without thinking through what is stated. Far too many supposed scholars have one overarching intent, which is to tear apart the word in an attempt to make themselves look smarter than God, who gave us His word.

Such people are warped and twisted. Think about what you read. There is nothing inappropriate about what God presents to us. What is inappropriate is how we may arrogantly dismiss it or speak against it. For some good advice, if the guy who gave this analysis, Holtz by name, is saved, don’t stand too close to him at the Bema Seat of Christ. It may be a bit fiery there.

Lord God, may we never attempt to diminish the beauty or glory of Your word. Help us to remember that it is given to us to lead us into the knowledge of You and what You have done in the giving of Jesus. There is nothing awry or inappropriate in it. It is a precious and sacred bestowal to the people of the world. Help us to treat it accordingly. Amen.