Matthew 13:52 - Seeking and Sharing the Old and the New in Jesus.

Mat.13:52; Seeking and Sharing the Old and the New in Jesus.

Mat 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. 

Mat 13:52 (NIV)  He said to them, "Therefore every teacher of 
the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like 
the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures 
as well as old." 

Mat 13:52 (CWB)  Jesus responded by saying, "Every disciple who 
understands what God's kingdom is all about is like a wise homeowner who 
blends treasured antiques with new items of great value. In the same 
way my disciples know how to give new value to old truths." 

The "scribes" were not secretaries, but the official teachers of 
the law... "Every scribe" here means every man or woman who takes part 
in opening the treasures of God's Word to others. [SDA Commentary] 

Most scholars see here a reference to believers in general, (UBS 
Translator Handbook Series) 

The Christian teacher (and every believer) must draw on the old 
truths of Israel's faith and the new message of Jesus. Both Testaments 
contain the truths of God. Neither should be neglected. Both point to 
the kingdom of God present in Jesus Christ. [Disciple SB] 

Verses 51-52 revealed what a disciple of the kingdom was called 
to do. The disciple was to be perceptive and listen to God's words. 
Then he was to relate the old to the new, that is, the work of Jesus 
to the revelation already given in the Old Testament. [New Bible 
Companion] 

By the "old," Christ refers to all the will of God as revealed 
"in time past unto the fathers by the prophets". By the "new," He 
refers to His own teachings..... The OT is not invalidated by the NT, but 
amplified and given new life. Both were inspired by Christ and both are 
full of truth for the sincere seeker. The OT reveals the Christ who 
was to come; the NT reveals the Christ who had come. [SDA 
Commentary] 

Christ as manifested to the patriarchs, as symbolized in the 
sacrificial service, as portrayed in the law, and as revealed by the 
prophets, is the riches of the Old Testament. Christ in His life, His 
death, and His resurrection, Christ as He is manifested by the Holy 
Spirit, is the treasure of the New Testament. Our Saviour, the 
outshining of the Father's glory, is both the Old and the New.  COL126 

One of the most exciting aspects of Christian truth is that it 
is inexhaustible. One can never come to the end of it. No matter 
how long we may have been in the faith, no matter how much theology 
we may master, we can never come to the end of what God has 
revealed in Christ and in the Bible. Jesus spoke to this fact in His 
parable of the householder (v.52). 
The key to understanding this parable is the question Jesus 
asked His followers: "Have you understood all these things?" (v. 51). 
"These things" refers to the series of parables on the kingdom that He 
had just told (vv. 1-50). Amazingly, the disciples answered yes. 
Apparently they thought they had absorbed everything Jesus had to say. 
But how could they? They could not possibly perceive the vast 
implications of these stories for day-to-day life, let alone the theological 
issues involved in a doctrine as complex as the kingdom. Theologians 
still debate these matters (see "The King Declares His Kingdom," Matt. 
4:17). 
Jesus recognized that the disciples were claiming more insight 
than they actually possessed. So He gave them the parable of the 
householder to characterize the situation. Householders were what we would 
call heads of households, persons with authority over what went on in 
a given home. 
If one were to visit the home, the master of the house might 
bring out some of the treasures of the home to delight and impress his 
guest. He might bring out something old - perhaps one of the family 
heirlooms - or something new - maybe a recent purchase. 
Jesus likened His disciples to heads of the family in possession 
of His truth. Over the years they would tell people about the "old 
treasures" - the basics of the gospel - and about "new treasures" - the way 
in which His teaching applied to new situations. 
In effect, they would be like "scriber[s] instructed concerning 
the kingdom of heaven" (v. 52). Scribes were a learned class of 
scholars who studied the Scriptures and served as copyists, editors, and 
teachers. They occupied a prestigious position, as only ordained teachers 
could transmit and create religious tradition. Just as the Jewish 
scribes studied the Law, recalling old truths recognized for centuries 
as well as "new" truths that applied Scripture to the demands of 
new situations, so the disciples were storing up Jesus' teaching and 
- someday - would repeat it to others, write it down, and teach 
from it, passing on "things new and old." 
Today we possess the written record of these treasures. But like 
Jesus' first disciples, we can find both old and new. As we confront 
situations, we can look back to the "old" truths, the fundamental things 
that never change, and we can also discern how to apply biblical 
truth to new issues in ways that are fresh and alive. [Word In Life 
SB] 

Every time one reads the Bible they will find something new as 
well as something old.  [Pastor Andres Sequera] 

Things lately acquired, or things that had been laid up for a 
long time. So, said Christ, you, my disciples, are to be. The truth, 
new or old, which you have gained, keep it not laid up and hid, but 
bring it forth, in due season and on proper occasions, to benefit 
others. (Barnes' Notes) 

People who have been instructed about the kingdom of heaven have 
in their hearts a store room of fresh new insights as well as the 
time tested wisdom of the ages. Like hospitable homeowners who share 
their belongings, both old and new, effective teachers refresh others 
both with wisdom gained in the past and lessons gained through 
current study and experience. [Quest SB] 

The themes of redemption will employ the hearts and minds and 
tongues of the redeemed through the everlasting ages. They will 
understand the truths which Christ longed to open to His disciples, but 
which they did not have faith to grasp. Forever and forever new views 
of the perfection and glory of Christ will appear. Through endless 
ages the faithful Householder will bring forth from His treasures 
things new and old. ML360