Commentary on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2.pdf

<strong>Commentary</strong> on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2
testified that she owed all to him. He had no desire of such luxuries, was not gratified by the sweet
odor, and did not approve of gaudy dress. But he looked only at her extraordinary zeal to testify
her repentance, which is also held out to us by Luke as an example; for her sorrow, which is the
commencement of repentance, was proved by her tears. By placing herself at Christ’s feet behind
him, and there lying on the ground, she discovered her modesty and humility. By the ointment, she
declared that she offered, as a sacrifice to Christ, herself and all that she possessed. Every one of
these things it is our duty to imitate; but the pouring of the ointment was an extraordinary act, which
it would be improper to consider as a rule. 247
47. Her many sins are forgiven Some interpret the verb differently, may her many sins be
forgiven, and bring out the following meaning: — “As this woman evinces by remarkable actions,
that she is full of ardent love to Christ, it would be improper for the Church to act harshly and
severely towards her; but, on the contrary, she ought to be treated with gentleness, whatever may
have been the aggravations of her offenses.” But as ἀφέωνται is used, in accordance with the Athic
dialect, for ἀφεῖνται, we must dispense with that subtlety of exposition which is disapproved by
the context; for a little after, Christ uses the same words in his address to the woman, where the
imperative mood would not apply. Here, too is added a corresponding clause, that he to whom less
is forgiven loveth less
The verb, which is in the present tense, must, no doubt, be resolved into a preterite. 248 From
the eager desire which she had manifested to discharge all the duties of piety, Christ infers that,
although this woman might have been guilty of many sins, the mercy of God was so abundant
towards her, that she ought no longer to be regarded as a sinner. Again, loving is not here said to
be the cause of pardon, 249 but a subsequent manifestation, as I have formerly mentioned; for the
meaning of the words is this: — “They who perceive the display of deep piety in the woman form
an erroneous judgment, if they do not conclude that God is already reconciled to her;” so that the
free pardon of sins comes first in order. Christ does not inquire at what price men may purchase
the favor of God, but argues that God has already forgiven this wretched sinner, and that, therefore,
a mortal man ought not to treat her with severity.
48. Thy sins are forgiven. It may be asked, why does Christ now promise to her the pardon
which she had obtained, and of which she had been assured? Some reply that these words were
uttered, not so much on her own account, as for the sake of others. For my own part, I have no
doubt that it was chiefly on her own account; and this appears more clearly from the words that
247 “A este un acte special et extraordinaire, duquel si on vouloit faire une reigle generale, ce seroit un abus;” — “was a special
and extraordinary act, of which, if we wished to make a general rule, it would be a mistake.”
248 “Combien qu’il faut resoudre le verbe du temps present en un temps passe: comme quand il dit, Ses pechez luy sont
pardonnez: il faut entendre, Ont este pardonnez;” — “though the verb must be resolved from the present tense into a past tense:
as when he says, Her sins are forgiven, we must understand it to mean, Have been forgiven.”
249 “Il n’est pas dit ici que la dilection ou amour des hommes envers Dieu soit la cause de la remission des pechez;” — “it is
not here said that the loving, or the love of men towards God, is the cause of the forgiveness of sins.”
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John Calvin