In Matthew 13:45-46 Jesus tells the story of pearl that is of great value. Find out exactly what this parable teaches us.

What is The Meaning of A Pearl of Great Price?

Pearl of great price verse:

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”

Matthew 13:45-46

Imagine a market square during bible times. The marketplace was where people would go and buy and sell goods.

Merchants were people who sold goods to others.  

Compare this to a modern-day online boutique shop owner.

The boutique owner has to look at wholesale companies from China and decide which clothing she wants to sell on her website. 

What items will be of greatest worth to her clients?

The merchant was looking for a pearl. And when he found one, he realized that it was of such great value, that he sold all of his possessions in order to purchase it!

Again, this story is a parable. Parables are kind of like similes or allegories.

I love that Jesus teaches using parables, because it causes us to dig deeper and seek the true meaning of what he is saying.  

He wants us to rely on him. He wants us to seek him and ask him questions.

So what is the meaning of the parable of the pearl of great price?

Many different scholars believe many different things.

You are a pearl of great price meaning

I believe, from using Dake’s Study Bible, that Matthew 13:45-46 means that you are a pearl of great price. 

God came into the flesh as Jesus, and died for you — gave all he had— because he saw you as something worthy, valuable, and of the greatest price. 

The price of Jesus!

He didn’t just die for your sins—he died so that we could have access and communion with him.

Remember God’s original plan was for us to walk with him in the garden.

It wasn’t until our humanity and sin entered in that stripped our access to him.

This is why Jesus came!

Even though we sin, we can still approach him bodly.

He is ever-present with us. 

–because of what Jesus gave on the cross.

You are a pearl of great price.  

Jesus would do it all over again, just for you.

God the Father gave all he had in order to purchase you!

He bought you with a price.

You were worth it all.

You are a pearl of great price. 

Pearls In The Bible

Pearls are mentioned in the bible several times. Here are a few other bible verses that talk about pearls.

Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

Matthew 6:7

And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was a single pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

Revelation 21:21

Coral and crystal are not to be mentioned; And the acquisition of wisdom is above that of pearls.

Job 28:18

You Are A Pearl of Great Price

You are worth so much!

A natural pearl (often called an Oriental pearl) forms when an irritant works its way into a particular species of oyster, mussel, or clam. As a defense mechanism, the mollusk secretes a fluid to coat the irritant. Layer upon layer of this coating is deposited on the irritant until a lustrous pearl is formed.

Source: J Thomas Jewelers

It can be hard remembering your own self worth. Life happens and sometimes you might forget how much God loves you. I bought a pearl necklace for myself a few months ago, and I wear it to be reminded of how deep God loves and treasures me.

I am his pearl of great price! And so are you.