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Casting out the Treasure: A New Reading of Matthew 13.52

Centre for Biblical Literacy and Communication, St John's College, 3 South Bailey, Durham DH1 3RJ, p.m.phillips{at}btconnect.com

Matthew 13.52c has been translated, since the time of the Church fathers, as though referring to a householder selecting items from a storehouse to share—a `metaphor of display'. However, this translation does not deal adequately with the verb Kβ. This article explores an alternative reading which maintains the normative semantic domain for the verb in terms of `disposal' or `expulsion'. The use of the verb elsewhere in Greek and biblical literature in general and in the Gospel of Matthew in particular is studied and the results of this study applied to apparent exceptions within Matthew's Gospel. The article argues that these exceptions are unnecessary and that the verb is used consistently in terms of `disposal' or `expulsion'. This thesis is then applied to Mt. 13.52 to provide a new reading. The article finally offers a possible reconstruction of why Patristic writers chose to re-interpret the original text.

Key Words: Kβ • expulsion • new things • scribes • translation • treasure

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