The Parable of the Hidden Treasure (Matthew 13:44)

The texts below are quoted verbatim from public-domain English translations; nothing is paraphrased.

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St. John Chrysostom (c. 347–407)

Homilies on the Gospel of Matthew, Homily 47 (on Matthew 13:44–52) Source: trans. in the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Vol. 10. Public domain. Full text: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/200147.htm

On the treasure and the pearl together, and what they add to the mustard seed and the leaven:

Much as in the other place, the mustard seed and the leaven have but some little difference from each other, so here also these two parables, that of the treasure and that of the pearl. This being of course signified by both, that we ought to value the gospel above all things. And the former indeed, of the leaven and of the mustard seed, was spoken with a view to the power of the gospel, and to its surely prevailing over the world; but these declare its value, and great price. For as it extends itself like mustard seed, and prevails like leaven, so it is precious like a pearl, and affords full abundance like a treasure.

On the gospel hidden in the world, and the two things needed to find it:

Seest thou how both the gospel is hid in the world, and the good things in the gospel? Except thou sell all, thou buyest not; except thou have such a soul, anxious and inquiring, thou findest not. Two things therefore are requisite, abstinence from worldly matters, and watchfulness.

On how those who hold the gospel know their wealth, while others do not see it:

Just so also with the gospel, they that have hold of it know that they are rich, but the unbelievers, not knowing of this treasure, are in ignorance also of our wealth.

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St. Gregory the Great (c. 540–604)

Forty Gospel Homilies, Homily 11 (on the hidden treasure) Source: as preserved in the Catena Aurea of Thomas Aquinas, trans. J. H. Newman, 1841. Public domain.

On the treasure as the desire of heaven, and on hiding it to guard it from the love of praise:

The treasure hidden in the field is the desire of heaven; the field in which the treasure is hidden is the discipline of heavenly learning; this, when a man finds, he hides, in order that he may preserve it; for zeal and affections heavenward it is not enough that we protect from evil spirits, if we do not protect from human praises. For in this present life we are in the way which leads to our country, and evil spirits as robbers beset us in our journey. Those therefore who carry their treasure openly, they seek to plunder in the way. When I say this, I do not mean that our neighbours should not see our works, but that in what we do, we should not seek praise from without.

On who it is that truly sells all to buy the field:

He it is that selleth all he hath and buyeth the field, who, renouncing fleshly delights, tramples upon all his worldly desires in his anxiety for the heavenly discipline.

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St. Jerome (c. 347–420)

From his Commentary on Matthew, as preserved in the Catena Aurea on Matthew. Public domain.

On why the man hides the treasure he has found:

That he hides it, does not proceed of envy towards others, but as one that treasures up what he would not lose, he hides in his heart that which he prizes above his former possessions.

On the treasure as the Word of God or the Holy Scriptures:

That treasure "in which are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge," is either God the Word, who seems hid in Christ's flesh, or the Holy ... Scriptures, in which are laid up the knowledge of the Saviour.

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St. Hilary of Poitiers (c. 310–367)

As preserved in the Catena Aurea on Matthew. Public domain.

On the treasure found without cost yet possessed only at a price:

This treasure is indeed found without cost; for the Gospel preaching is open to all, but to use and possess the treasure with its field we may not without price, for heavenly riches are not obtained without the loss of this world.

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Blessed Augustine (i Hiponit) (354–430)

From his Questions on the Gospels, as preserved in the Catena Aurea on Matthew. Public domain.

On the field as the two testaments in the Church, and on selling all to grow rich in the knowledge of God:

He speaks of the two testaments in The Church, which, when any hath attained to a partial understanding of, he perceives how great things lie hid there, and "goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that;" that is, by despising temporal things he purchases to himself peace, that he may be rich in the knowledge of God.