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

<strong>Commentary</strong> on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2
Matthew 11:7. And while they were departing Christ praises John before the people, in order
that they may state from recollection what they have heard from him, and may give credit to his
testimony. For his name was widely celebrated, and men spoke of him in lofty terms: but his doctrine
was held in less estimation, and there were even few that waited on his ministrations. Christ reminds
them, that those who went out to see him in the wilderness lost their pains, if they did not devoutly
apply their minds and faculties to his doctrine. The meaning of the words, you went out into the
wilderness, is this: “Your journey would have been an act of foolish and ridiculous levity, if you
had not a fixed object in view. But it was neither worldly splendor nor any sort of amusement 12
that you were in quest of: your design was, to hear the voice of God from the mouth of the Prophet.
If therefore you would reap advantage from your undertaking, it is necessary that what he spoke
should remain fixed in your memory.”
8. Clothed with soft garments Those who think that Christ here condemns the extravagance of
a court are mistaken. There are many other passages in which luxury of dress, and excessive attention
to outward appearance, are censured. But this passage simply means, that there was nothing in the
wilderness to attract the people from every quarter; that every thing there was rude and unpolished,
and fitted only to inspire disgust; and that such elegance of dress as delights the eyes is rather to
be looked for in the courts of kings. 13
11. Verily I say to you These words not only maintain the authority of John, but elevate his
doctrine above the ancient prophets, that the people may keep in view the right end of his ministry;
for they mistook the design of his mission, and, in consequence of this, derived almost no advantage
from his discourses. Accordingly, Christ extols and places him above the rank of the prophets, and
gives the people to understand that he had received a special and more excellent commission. When
he elsewhere says respecting himself that he was not a Prophet, (John 1:21,) this is not inconsistent
with the designation here bestowed upon him by Christ. He was, no doubt, a Prophet, like others
whom God had appointed in his Church to be expounders of the Law, and messengers of his will;
but he was more excellent than the Prophets in this respect, that he did not, like them, make known
redemption at a distance and obscurely under shadows, but proclaimed that the time of redemption
was now manifest and at hand. Such too is the import of Malachi’s prediction, (Malachi 3:1,) which
is immediately added, that the pre-eminence of John consisted in his being the herald and forerunner
of Christ; 14 for although the ancient Prophets spoke of his kingdom, they were not, like John, placed
before his face, to point him out as present. As to the other parts of the passage, the reader may
consult what has been said on the first chapter of Luke’s Gospel. 15
12 “Ni autre passe-temps et amusement vain;” — “nor other pastime nor vain amusement.”
13 “Que pour voir de beaux vestemens et autres choses agencees bien proprement il faut plustost aller es Cours des Rois;” —
“that in order to see fine dresses, and other things very neatly arranged, we must rather go to the courts of kings.”
14 “Pource qu’il est le Heraut marchant devant Christ pour luy faire honneur;” — “because he is the Herald marching before
Christ to do him honor.”
15 Harmony, volume 1. p.20.
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John Calvin