The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price Lessons

The Parable of the Pearl

The Parable of the Pearl is sometimes referred to as the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price or The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value. This parable is included in only one of the four Gospels in the Bible, Matthew 13 45-56. You can find it HERE.

Jesus typically used parables to describe complex spiritual truths in simple earthly concepts so that people could more easily understand. With only two verses and two sentences, the Parable of the Pearl is very short, but it’s still packed with meaning.

Matthew 13 45 46 The Parable of the Pearl

The parable of the pearl of great value is found in only one of the four Gospels in the New Testament of the Bible. It is found in Matthew 13:45-46.

It says:

45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

Matthew 13:45-46 NIV

Parable of the Pearl of Great Price Meaning

There are fake pearls that we face in life. They’re shiny and look pretty and draw us in. The fake pearls are like the distractions and possessions that we chase in life that result in anxiety, frustration, and unfulfillment. When we seek out a “real” pearl, like the merchant did, and finally find that true pearl, who is God, nothing else in the world matters as much.

Parable of the Pearl of Great Price Lessons

Even though the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price is so short, there are still important life lessons for us. Jesus never said anything that we can’t use to improve our lives! Below are two key takeaways from the Parable of the Pearl. I hope you can apply these spiritual truths to enhance your own life.

1. The merchant went looking.

If we are to find the Kingdom of Heaven, we need to seek it out. God doesn’t force Himself on us. He’s nearby and present for us at all times, but He doesn’t reveal Himself unless we invite Him. 

He said:

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:13 NIV

Seeking is a verb and requires action on our part. As the merchant found the pearl of great value when he went looking for it (also known as seeking), so we will find Christ when we seek Him.

2. When we find the pearl of great value, it exceeds anything else on earth.

When the merchant found the pearl of great value, he realized it was worth selling all his possessions to keep the pearl.

When we discover the indescribable value of God’s Kingdom, we realize its value is worth more than anything we have. There are no earthly possessions that are as valuable as God. Nothing and no one is as important.

Once we know God, we come to realize that earthly possessions can stand in the way of developing a true relationship with Him.

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

Matthew 19:21 NIV

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Parable of the Pearl Moral Lesson

There’s not so much a moral lesson to the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price as there is a key to life. That is, there’s nothing more valuable in life than seeking and knowing God.

Is Jesus the Pearl of Great Price

Yes, Jesus is the Pearl of Great Value. When we seek the kingdom of God, Jesus is the key. When we seek and find Him, we have found the pearl of great price.  There is nothing else more valuable than our relationship with Him.

Parable of the Pearl of Great Price Commentary

The Parable of the Pearl Commentary is found at Bible Study Tools.com. This link will lead you to the free Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary, but you can find other Biblical commentaries HERE. They include free and paid versions. I have referred to Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary for this post.

More Parables!

Do you love the parables as much as I do? You may enjoy reading life lessons on these others (listed below), these activities for adults and children, or this list of Parables and Meanings. More parable lessons are underway. See them all HERE!

Do you love journaling? Does writing down your personal reflections help you process your thoughts more fully? Perhaps these Christian writing journals will be helpful as you reflect on the life lessons of the parables.

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