After asking whether the disciples understood His parables, Jesus compares every scribe trained for the kingdom of heaven to a householder who brings out of his treasure things both new and old.
Jesus in Context
Treasures New and Old From the Storeroom
Jesus compares a trained scribe of the kingdom to a household master bringing both new and old treasures from his store.
Introduction
Historical and Cultural Context
A household storeroom or treasury contained goods accumulated for future use. A capable householder knew what was available and could bring out what was appropriate when needed. The image therefore suggests resources that have been preserved rather than things that have become useless merely because they are old.
A scribe was associated with learning, interpretation, and the transmission of Scripture. Jesus applies that familiar role to a person instructed in the kingdom. The expression 'new and old' naturally evokes continuity as well as new understanding, although interpreters differ over how specifically the two categories should be identified.
Why It Matters
The saying provides an important conclusion to the parables of Matthew 13. Jesus does not portray kingdom teaching as simply discarding what came before. The instructed disciple is able to understand earlier revelation while also bringing forth the new realities disclosed through Jesus' teaching about the kingdom.