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.

MATTHEW 13:52KJV
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Matthew 13:52 (KJV)

What does Matthew 13:52 mean?

Matthew 13:52 describes how someone trained in the ways of God’s kingdom—like a scribe who understands Jesus’ teachings—is compared to a homeowner who brings out both new and old treasures from his storehouse. This means such a person can share wisdom and truths from both past traditions and new insights.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to his disciples after telling several parables about the kingdom of heaven. He uses the image of a “scribe” (a teacher of the Jewish law) who has been “instructed” or trained for the kingdom, saying this person is like a “householder” who has a store of valuable things, both old and new. Jesus is showing that understanding his teachings allows someone to draw from both the familiar teachings of the past and the new things he is revealing.

The Greek behind Matthew 13:52

  • γραμματεύς (grammateus, “scribe”): This word refers to someone skilled in the Jewish scriptures and law. Jesus is saying that even those well-versed in old teachings can find new meaning in his message.
  • μαθητευθείς (mathēteutheis, “instructed”): This word means to be made a disciple or trained. It highlights that the scribe has not just learned facts but has been personally taught about the kingdom.
  • θησαυρός (thēsauros, “treasure”): This word means a storehouse or a collection of valuable things. The image suggests a rich supply of insights, not just a single idea.
  • καινός (kainos, “new”) and παλαιός (palaios, “old”): The pairing of these words shows that both established truths and fresh revelations are valuable and should be shared.

Why Matthew 13:52 matters

  • Matthew 13:52 clears up the idea that following Jesus means abandoning all previous understanding; instead, it shows that both old and new teachings have value when seen in light of the kingdom.
  • The verse emphasizes that Jesus’ followers, especially those who teach, are meant to be thoughtful and well-rounded, drawing from all of God’s wisdom, not just what is novel or traditional.
  • This saying ties together the parables in Matthew 13, showing that understanding Jesus’ message involves both continuity with the past and openness to new revelation.

Where else these words appear

“instructed” Greek G3100 · used in 4 verses

  • Matthew 27:57 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple:
  • Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
  • Acts 14:21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,

“householder” Greek G3617 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 10:25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
  • Matthew 20:11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
  • Luke 12:39 And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.

“old” Greek G3820 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 9:16 No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.
  • Luke 5:36 And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old.
  • 1 Corinthians 5:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

“treasure” Greek G2344 · used in 16 verses

  • Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
  • Matthew 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
  • Luke 12:34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.