Matthew 13:52

τῇ βασιλείᾳ has the best authority and is the more difficult reading. εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν was probably a marginal note.

52. μαθητευθεὶς τῇ βασιλείᾳ. The new law requires a new order of Scribes who shall be instructed in the kingdom of heaven—instructed in its mysteries, its laws, its future—as the Jewish Scribes are instructed in the observances of the Mosaic law.

καινὰ καὶ παλαιά. (1) Just as the householder brings from his stores or treasury precious things which have been heir-looms for generations, as well as newly acquired treasures; the disciples following their master’s example will exhibit the true teaching of the old law, and add thereto the new lessons of Christianity. (2) Another interpretation finds a reference to Jewish sacrificial usage by which sometimes the newly-gathered fruit or corn, sometimes the produce of a former year furnished the offering. The wise householder was ready for all emergencies. So the Christian teacher will have an apt lesson on each occasion.

As applied to the teaching of Christ Himself καινὰ points to the fresh revelation, παλαιὰ to the Law and the Prophets on which the new truths rested and from which they were evolved. Instances are, the extended and deeper meaning given to the decalogue, and to the law of forgiveness, &c., the fresh light thrown on prophecy and on Rabbinical sayings, the confirmation of the ancient dealings of God combined with the revelation of entirely new truths, as that of the resurrection,—of the Christian Church,—of the Sacraments,—of the extension of the Gospel to the Gentiles.