Matthew 13:52 Commentary and Bible Study

What does Christ mean by ‘every scribe’? He is talking to the apostles and they too have been hearing the parables which Christ has preached to the people. To the apostles it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven and so they have gained by what they have heard in a way that others have not gained. They are scribes instructed in the kingdom of heaven, for no one can be such a scribe unless they have been chosen by God. But this is also true of all who know the Lord and study his word. It includes pastors and teachers and all who instruct others. The disciples have been taught the principle of interpretation of the parables. Evert scribe is like a householder, the head of a house who is responsible for providing for those in the house and those who come to visit the house. In that house is a treasury or storeroom. There he keeps all that he will need to provide for those dependent on him. It could be clothing or food or even other useful objects for the benefit or enrichment of others. ‘Things new and old.’ The scribe is a teacher of others – he feeds Christ’s sheep; he feeds Christ’s lambs. He has the ability to reproduce what he has heard before, to teach the parables Christ had given, and to teach them with understanding. But interestingly the new is mentioned before the old. The focus is on the new because it is the ability to teach the new that really proves that there is understanding in that scribe. Since the essence of understanding is in him, he has the ability to create new illustrations of divine truth. Without this understanding a man might be able to reproduce what he has heard Christ say, but he would certainly not be able to add new illustrations of his own because the essence of the matter is not within him. ‘New things’ are the output of one who is instructed in the kingdom and who therefore has a residue of truth within him on which he can draw. Christ is not talking about inspired revelation but about the ability to teach that belongs to all scribes. New and old do not refer to the Old and New Testament, for both new and old will come from this scribe who is instructed in the kingdom of heaven, the kingdom which Christ began to announce through his preaching. Their ability to bring out things new and old results from their being instructed through hearing his parables, which they have confirmed and which he has agreed that they understand. The ability to bring out the new is the clearest evidence of being instructed, for it is proof that there is understanding in the heart. Pastors are such scribes, feeding the household of God. They diligently study the word of God and store up in their storeroom of knowledge all that they will need to do their work for the Lord. The scribe is like a householder who supplies all who come to him – his own family and also visitors who may come to the house. He has stored up truth within himself and he is able and willing to dispense it to others.The contents of his treasury, his storehouse is dispensed with wisdom, according to the case before him. Some will need comfort, others will need correction, others will need instruction in doctrine. He has something for every case, and he is a man of discernment who brings out what is appropriate.