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Ordinary Time · Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time · Year A

Matthew 13:44-52 or Matthew 13:44-46

Treasure, Pearl, and Net

July 26, 2026

La Perle de grand prix (The Pearl of Great Price), Domenico Fetti
La Perle de grand prix (The Pearl of Great Price), Domenico Fetti, c. 1620sMusée des Beaux-Arts de Caen
One of Fetti's parable paintings. A merchant holds a single pearl up to the light with a jeweller's attention while his other goods sit forgotten.On finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.Domenico FettiA Roman-trained painter who worked in Mantua and Venice, best known for small, warmly coloured paintings of the parables.Musée des Beaux-Arts de CaenA Normandy museum rebuilt after its destruction in 1944, now inside the walls of William the Conqueror's castle.Musée des Beaux-Arts de Caen
Roman Lectionary
GospelMatt. 13:44-52Mt 13:44-52 orMatt. 13:44-46Mt 13:44-46
Second ReadingRom. 8:28-30Rom 8:28-30
First Reading1 Kings 3:5, 7-121 Kgs 3:5, 7-12
Responsorial PsalmPs. 119:57+72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130 (97a)Ps 119:57+72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130 (97a)

Overview & Insights

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field.” (Matthew 13:44)

Jesus gives three more short parables of the kingdom, comparing it to hidden treasure, a costly pearl, and a net that gathers every kind of fish. He asks whether the disciples understand and calls the trained scribe a householder who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.

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Take it further: Matthew 13:44-52 or Matthew 13:44-46

Commentary

Working Preacher: Commentary on Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52Working Preacher: Commentary on Mt 13:31-33, 44-52 Working Preacher

A preaching focused reading of the treasure, pearl, and net.

Enduring Word: Matthew 13Enduring Word: Mt 13 Enduring Word · David Guzik

Verse by verse evangelical commentary on the whole chapter.

Precept Austin: Matthew 13 CommentaryPrecept Austin: Mt 13 Commentary Precept Austin

A deep gathering of study notes and cross references on the chapter.

Bible Hub: Matthew 13:44 CommentariesBible Hub: Mt 13:44 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic and modern commentaries lined up verse by verse.

Barnes' Notes on Matthew 13Barnes' Notes on Mt 13 StudyLight

A concise nineteenth century commentary on the chapter.

Loyola Press: 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) Sunday Connection Loyola Press · Sunday Connection

Catholic reflection and discussion questions for the Sunday readings.

Brant Pitre: 17th Sunday of Ordinary Time (Year A) Catholic Productions · Brant Pitre

A Catholic scholar walks through all of this Sunday's readings together.

Agape Bible Study: 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) Agape Bible Study

A detailed Catholic study of all of this Sunday's readings.

Background & Word Study

Bible Hub Interlinear: Matthew 13Bible Hub Interlinear: Mt 13 BibleHub

The Greek text with parsing and gloss for each word.

BibleProject: Overview of Matthew 1-13BibleProject: Overview of Mt 1-13 BibleProject

An animated walk through the first half of the Gospel.

The Church Fathers

Catena: Matthew 13Catena: Mt 13 Catena

Early church and patristic comment gathered under each verse.

Podcast

Bishop Barron: What Life Is All About Word on Fire

Bishop Barron preaches this Sunday’s Mass readings, including Matthew 13:44-52 or Matthew 13:44-46.

Art & Music

Art in the Christian Tradition Vanderbilt

A curated image index for this reading across the history of Christian art.

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