We have discussed seven parables and the parable that follows is often not recognized as such. But it is indeed one, as is evident from the content. The number seven in Scripture stands for fullness and completeness. An eighth is the first of a new series. That is why the eight in the Bible stands for something new and that is also what this parable teaches.
51 Do you all understand this? They say to Him: Yes.
52 And He said to them: Therefore every scribe who is made a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a man, a householder, who brings out of his treasure things new and old.
53 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, He departed from there.
therefore
The Lord asks His disciples if they understand all this and refers to the seven parables that He has presented to them. He then begins the new parable with: therefore… This parable is therefore the logical consequence of understanding the previous parables.
parable
This is a parable for the simple reason that it is said: … the kingdom of heaven is equal to, just like in verses 31, 33, 44, 45 and 47. In addition, verse 53 also states that Jesus brings these parables to an end. So there can be no misunderstanding that we are also dealing with a parable here.
Scribe
We often have a negative association with the term ‘Scribe’, because we read in the Bible that the Lord was constantly at odds with this group of people. But there were also Scribes who believed, such as Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea.
We may take the word Scribe literally. It is someone who has been taught in Scripture. And even more precisely, this parable is about a Scribe who has been taught in the kingdom of heaven. And more specifically, a scribe who has been instructed in the mysteries or secrets of the kingdom of heaven, for that is what the parables are about.
the treasure of a scribe
The one who is instructed in the mysteries of the Kingdom draws out of his treasure new and old things. The context shows what the meaning of the treasure is, because it is about the treasure of a scribe and that is the Scripture.
This parable also speaks of ‘a man, a householder’ and here too that man is the Lord himself. He is the One who brings forth new and old things from the Scripture. Note the order, the new comes first.
new and old things
The old things concern the things that were already foretold. As we saw earlier that there are numerous prophecies that speak unequivocally about the suffering that would come upon the Messiah and about the glory that would be His: the revelation of a worldwide Kingdom.
order
Note the order, the Lord mentions the new things first. The new things concern the secrets of the Kingdom and come before the old things. The Lord had just told His disciples seven parables with new things, namely that the Kingdom would first be hidden for a period of time. The Kingdom would be taken away from Israel, hidden and given to another people (Matt. 21:43; Rom. 10:19).
Here too, the Lord illustrates His words by acting accordingly. And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there (:53). He hid Himself from them, as His message was hidden from Israel.
Paul
When we are students of the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, we follow the Lord and we get new and old things from the Scriptures. He is the Man, the Homeowner, who leads us in this and teaches us. He does this especially through the apostle Paul. Paul was not the homeowner (Matt. 13:52), but was appointed as the householder/manager (Eph. 3:2). More about that in a next blog.