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

<strong>Commentary</strong> on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2
that some one of the ancient prophets had risen, or that he was some great man, who approached
to them in excellence.
It was astonishing that, amidst the diversity of views which were suggested, the true interpretation
did not occur to any one; more especially as the state of matters at that very time directed them to
Christ. God had promised to them a Redeemer, who would relieve them when they were distressed
and in despair. The extremity of affliction into which they had been plunged was a loud call for
divine assistance. The Redeemer is at hand, who had been so clearly pointed out by the preaching
of John, and who himself testifies respecting his office. They are compelled to acknowledge that
some divine power belongs to him, and yet they fall into their own fancies, and change him into
the persons of other men. It is thus that the world is wont, in base ingratitude, to obliterate the
remembrance of the favors which God has bestowed.
With respect to Herod himself, as I hinted, little ago, the conjecture that John had risen did not
at first occur to himself; but as bad consciences are wont to tremble and hesitate, and turn with
every wind, he readily believed what he dreaded. With such blind terrors God frequently alarms
wicked men; so that, after all the pains they take to harden themselves, and to escape agitation,
their internal executioner gives them no rest, but chastises them with severity.
And therefore miracles work in him. We naturally wonder what reasoning could have led them
to this conclusion. John had performed no miracle during the whole course of his preaching. There
appears to be no probability, therefore, in the conjecture, that it was John whom they saw performing
extraordinary miracles. But they imagine that miracles are now performed by him for the first time,
in order to prove his resurrection, and to show that the holy prophet of God had been wickedly put
to death by Herod, and now came forward with a visible and divine protection, that no man might
afterwards venture to assail him. They think that miracles work (ἐνεζγοῦσιν) in him; that is, are
powerfully displayed, so as to give him greater authority, and make it evident that the Lord is with
him.
MATTHEW 14:3-12; MARK 6:17-29
Matthew 14:3-12
Mark 6:17-29
3. For Herod had seized John, and bound him, 17. For Herod himself had sent, and seized
and put him in prison, on account of Herodias, John, and bound him in prison, on account of
the wife of his brother Philip. 4. For John said to Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, because
him, It is not lawful for thee to have her. 5. And he had married her. 18. For John said to Herod,
though he wished to put him to death, he feared It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.
the multitude, because they accounted him a 19. And Herodias lay in wait for him, and wished
prophet. 6. But when Herod’s birthday was kept, to kill him, and could not. 20. For Herod dreaded
the daughter of Herodias danced before the John, knowing that he was a just and holy man,
company, and pleased Herod. 7. And therefore and observed him, and, having heard him, did
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John Calvin