Editing Parable of the Pearl (section)

==Interpretation==
[[File:Werkstatt des Domenico Fetti — Gleichnis von der köstlichen Perle.jpg|thumbnail|''The Pearl of Great Price'', by [[Domenico Fetti]], 17th century]]
This parable is generally interpreted as illustrating the great value of the Kingdom of Heaven. Theologian [[E. H. Plumptre]], in Anglican bishop [[Charles Ellicott]]'s ''Commentary'', notes that:
<blockquote>"the caprices of luxury in the [[Roman Empire|Roman empire]] had given a prominence to [[Pearl|pearls]], as an article of commerce, which they had never had before, and have probably never had since. They, rather than [[emerald]]s and [[sapphire]]s, were the typical instance of all costliest adornments.<ref>{{bibleverse||Matthew|7:6|NKJV}}; {{bibleverse|1|Timothy|2:9|NKJV}}</ref> The story of [[Cleopatra]] and the fact that the opening of a new pearl market was one of the alleged motives which led the [[Emperor Claudius]] to invade [[Roman Britain|Britain]], are indications of the value that was then set on the 'goodly pearls' of the parable."<ref>Plumptre, E. H., [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/13.htm Ellicott's Commentary for Modern Readers] on Matthew 13, accessed 15 January 2017</ref></blockquote> 
Theologian [[John Nolland]] likewise notes that pearls at that time had a greater value than they do today,<ref name="JN">John Nolland, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=9cL_kpdUE-oC&pg=PA565 The Gospel of Matthew: A commentary on the Greek text]'', Eerdmans, 2005, {{ISBN|0-8028-2389-0}}, pp. 565–566.</ref> and it thus has a similar theme to its partner, the parable of the hidden treasure. Nolland comments that it shares with that parable the notions of "good fortune and demanding action in attaining the [[Kingdom of heaven (Gospel of Matthew)|kingdom of heaven]]"<ref name="JN"/> but adds in this case the notion of "diligent seeking".<ref name="JN"/> The valuable pearl is the "deal of a lifetime"<ref name="JN" /> for the [[merchant]] in the story. However, those who do not believe in the kingdom of heaven enough to stake their whole future on it are unworthy of the kingdom.<ref name="CSK">Craig S. Keener, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=sWzhEdBZOp4C&pg=PA392 A Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew]'', Eerdmans, 1999, {{ISBN|0-8028-3821-9}}, p. 392.</ref>

This interpretation of the parable is the inspiration for a number of hymns, including the anonymous [[Swedish language|Swedish]] hymn ''Den Kostliga Pärlan'' (''O That Pearl of Great Price!''), which begins:

<blockquote><poem>
O that Pearl of great price! have you found it?
Is the Savior supreme in your love?
O consider it well, ere you answer,
As you hope for a welcome above.
Have you given up all for this Treasure?
Have you counted past gains as but loss?
Has your trust in yourself and your merits
Come to naught before Christ and His cross?<ref>The Cyber Hymnal, ''[http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/o/t/p/otpogpri.htm O That Pearl of Great Price!]''</ref>
</poem></blockquote>

A less common interpretation of the parable is that the merchant represents [[Jesus]], and the pearl represents the [[Christian Church]], though that definition is problematic as neither the Christian church nor Christianity existed until after Jesus' death.<ref>Herbert Lockyer, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=4ncUVL4h2LsC&pg=PA200 All the Parables of the Bible]'', Zondervan, 1988, {{ISBN|0-310-28111-3}}, p. 200.</ref> This interpretation would give the parable a similar theme to that of the [[Parable of the Lost Sheep]], the [[Parable of the Lost Coin|Lost Coin]], and the [[Parable of the Prodigal Son|Prodigal Son]]. [[Pope Pius XII]] used the phrase to describe [[Virginity#Catholic theology|virginity]].<ref>[[Pope Pius XII]], ''[http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_xii/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_25031954_sacra-virginitas_en.html Sacra Virginitas]''</ref> [[File:The Pearl from parable.jpg|thumb|Anonymous, 1900]]