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

<strong>Commentary</strong> on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2
reference to his Galilean countrymen; for nowhere did he receive less honor than on his native soil.
There were good grounds for the charge which he brings against them, that, instead of being the
first to accept the grace offered to them, as they ought to have been, they drive him to a distance
from them; for it is truly extraordinary that a prophet of God, whom others warmly receive as a
newly-arrived stranger, should be despised in the place where he was born.
58. And he did not perform many miracles in that place. Mark states it more emphatically, that
he could not perform any miracle. But they are perfectly agreed as to the substance of what is said,
that it was the impiety of Christ’s countrymen that closed the door against the performance of a
greater number of miracles among them. He had already given them some taste of his power; but
they willingly stupify themselves, so as to have no relish for it. Accordingly, Augustine justly
compares faith to the open mouth of a vessel, while he speaks of faith as resembling a stopper, by
which the vessel is closed, so as not to receive the liquor 349 which God pours into it. And undoubtedly
this is the case; for when the Lord perceives that his power is not accepted by us, he at length
withdraws it; and yet we complain that we are deprived of his aid, which our unbelief rejects and
drives far from us.
When Mark declares that Christ could not perform any miracles, he represents the aggravated
guilt of those by whom his goodness was prevented; for certainly unbelievers, as far as lies in their
power, bind up the hands of God by their obstinacy; not that God is overcome, as if he were an
inferior, but because they do not permit him to display his power. We must observe, however, what
Mark adds, that some sick people, notwithstanding, were cured; for hence we infer, that the goodness
of Christ strove with their malice, and triumphed over every obstacle. 350 We have experience of
the same thing daily with respect to God; for, though he justly and reluctantly restrains his power,
because the entrance to us is shut against him, yet we see that he opens up a path for himself where
none exists, and ceases not to bestow favors upon us. What an amazing contest, that while we are
endeavoring by every possible method to hinder the grace of God from coming to us, it rises
victorious, and displays its efficacy in spite of all our exertions!
MATTHEW 14:1-2; MARK 6:14-16; LUKE 9:7-9
Matthew 14:1-2
Mark 6:14-16
Luke 9:7-9
1. At that time, Herod the 14. And king Herod heard of 7. Now Herod the tetrarch
tetrarch heard of the fame of him, (for his name had become heard of all that was done by
Jesus, 2. And said to his celebrated,) and said, John, who him, and was perplexed, because
349 “La bonne liqueur;” — “the good liquor.”
350 “En sorte que quelques empeschemens qu’ils ayent scen y mettre, encore est—elle venue au dessus, et s’est monstree en
quelque maniere.” —”So that, whatever obstacles they might be able to throw in the way, still it rose above them, and was in
some measure displayed.”
149
John Calvin