How do scribes who have been trained for the kingdom of heaven bring forth what is old and what is new?
Before being instructed by Jesus as his disciple, one cannot be a teacher of Scripture. But when taught in the kingdom, the teacher can draw out a treasure of kingdom truths: both the new things of the gospel, which were before unknown in Israel, and the old things of the Old Testament, which are now being fulfilled. Depending on the hearers’ situation, he can teach one or the other to meet their needs. Unlike unrepentant, deaf and blind Jewish scribes, these good guides for God’s people surrender everything to win the kingdom that saves them.
It may have seemed that Jesus now opposed the truths that the scribes defend, but Jesus did not reject the old truth; rather, the unbelieving scribes became obsolete by being unwilling to give up everything to gain the treasure hidden in the humble field. Their refusal to surrender to Jesus of Nazareth makes them cynical, but if they admitted that the Spirit is at work in Jesus, they would be not denying their theology, but enriching it: proclaiming truths both old and new. In selling everything to gain the treasure in the field, you do not lose your capital; you gain infinitely more.
Note, however, that the new things are mentioned first—as the distinctive task of the apostles—yet the truths already revealed in the old covenant are still of value. Compare also 1 John 2:7–11.
Prior to becoming a disciple of Jesus and being instructed in the kingdom of God, one cannot be a teacher of Scripture. But once he has been taught the mysteries of the kingdom, the teacher can draw from this storehouse—that is, from the truths to be taught—both the new things of the gospel, which were previously unknown in Israel, and the old things of the Old Testament, which have only now come to light in terms of their true meaning. Depending on the situation of his hearers, he can teach one or the other according to their specific needs.1
Whenever a scribe repents like these two did during the ministries of Jesus and John, he becomes a disciple of the kingdom of heaven. These scribes remain true to the old truth about the kingdom of God (as promised by the prophets), but they differ from the unrepentant Jewish scribes in that they now also bring with them the new things of Jesus’ doctrine. Scribes who surrender everything to win the kingdom that saves them will be good guides for God’s people. But if they refuse to do that, the people will be left behind with old-fashioned leaders—deaf and blind scribes.2
To some it may have appeared as if Jesus now stands in opposition to the scribes and to the ancient truths they defend—but this is not the case. Jesus does not reject the old truth; rather, it is the unbelieving scribes who fall behind and become obsolete. They forget that one must give up everything for the sake of the treasure hidden in the humble field. Their refusal to surrender to Jesus of Nazareth turns their outlook bitter and negative. Yet if the scribes were to recognize that God’s Spirit is at work in Jesus, they would not be denying their theology—they would be enriching it. In addition to the old truth of Scripture, they would now be able to proclaim the new truths about Jesus. That is the true profit of selling everything to gain the treasure in the field: that you do not lose your capital—you gain infinitely more.3
It is noteworthy, however, that the new things are mentioned first—this is the distinctive task of the apostles—yet the truths previously revealed in the old covenant remain of enduring value. Compare also 1 John 2:7–11.4
51 “Have you understood all these things?” They said to him, “Yes.”