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

<strong>Commentary</strong> on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2
tetrarch, 361 yet he was not afraid to offend him, when he could find no other way of securing that
favor, than by wickedly conniving at a known and disgraceful crime. He might indeed have protested
that he did not at all consult his private interests, and that he had no other object in view than the
public advantage; for it is certain that he requested nothing from motives of ambition 362 but that
Herod yielded to his holy counsels, which had a reference to the lawful administration of the
kingdom. But as he perceives that he has no right to accept this kind of compensation, 363 which
would procure for him some kind offices by betraying the truth, he chooses rather to turn a friend
into an enemy than to encourage, by flattery or silence, an evil which he is laid under the necessity
of reproving with severity.
John has thus, by his example, furnished an undoubted rule for pious teachers, not to wink at
the faults of princes, so as to purchase their favor at this price, how advantageous soever that favor
might appear to be to the public interests. 364 In Herod, on the other hand, the Spirit of God exhibits,
as in a mirror, how frequently it happens that those who do not sincerely worship God are
nevertheless willing, in some measure, to obey His commands, provided that He will grant them
some indulgence or abatement. But whenever they are hard pressed, they throw off the yoke, and
break out not only into obstinacy, but into rage. There is no reason, therefore, why they who comply
with many sound advises should be well satisfied with themselves, till they have learned to yield
and surrender themselves unreservedly to God.
6. And when Herod’s birthday was kept. The Evangelists now begin to relate the stratagem by
which Herodias at length succeeded in a design which she had long meditated, the taking away of
John’s life. The opportunity was afforded to her by an annual festival, when Herod was celebrating
his birthday. It is scarcely possible that such magnificent preparations should not draw luxury,
pride, unbridled merriment, and other crimes, and likewise many other evils, along with them. Not
that there is any thing wrong in the mere act of preparing an expensive banquet; but such is the
tendency of the human mind to licentiousness, that when the reins are loosened, they quickly go
astray. The ancient custom of observing a birthday every year as an occasion of joy cannot in itself
be disapproved; for that day, as often as it returns, reminds each of us to give thanks to God, who
brought us into this world, and has permitted us, in his kindness, to spend many years in it; next,
to bring to our recollection how improperly and uselessly the time which God granted to us has
361 “Qu’il eust quelque entree en la Cour, et que le Roy l’eust aucunement agreable;” — “that he should have some access to
the Court, and that the King should be somewhat favorable to him.”
362 “Qu’il n’a rien demande au Roy pour se faire valoir, ou pour monstrer son credit;” — “that he asked nothing from the King
to put himself forward, or to display his influence.”
363 “Que ceste facon de compensation n’est point honneste, ne selon Dieu;” — “that this kind of compensation is not honorable,
nor according to God.”
364 “Encore qu’ils ne la cherchent point pour leur regard particulier, mais seulement pour avoir occasion de profiter plus en
d’autres endroits;” —”even though they do not seek it for their private interest, but solely in order to have an opportunity of
doing more good in other respects.”
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John Calvin