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

<strong>Commentary</strong> on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2
been permitted to pass away; and, lastly, that we ought to commit ourselves to the protection of
the same God for the remainder of our life.
But nothing is so pure that the world shall not taint it with its own vices. A birthday, which
ought to have been held sacred, is profaned by the greater part of men with disgraceful abuses; and
there is scarcely a single entertainment at all costly that is free from wicked debauchery. First, men
drink more freely; next, the door is opened to filthy and immodest conversation; and, lastly, no
moderation is observed. This was the reason why the patriarch Job was in the habit of offering
sacrifices, while his sons were feasting alternately in each other’s houses, (Job 1:5.) It was because
he thought that, when the guests invite one another to mirth, they are far from maintaining due
moderation, and sin in a variety of ways.
Thus it happened that Herod, intending to give a rich entertainment to his guests, permitted his
wife’s daughter to dance. Hence, too, it appears what sort of discipline existed at his court; for,
though most people at that time thought themselves at liberty to dance, yet for a marriageable young
woman to dance was a shameful display of the impudence of the strumpet. But the unchaste Herodias
had moulded her daughter Salome to her own manners in such a manner that she might not bring
disgrace upon her. 365 And what was the consequence? The wicked murder of a holy prophet. The
heat of wine had such an influence on Herod, that, forgetting gravity and prudence, he promised
to a dancing girl, that he would give her even to the half of his kingdom. A shameful example truly,
that a drunken king not only permits himself to behold with approbation a spectacle 366 which was
disgraceful to his family, but holds out such a reward! Let us therefore learn to be careful in
anticipating and resisting the devil, lest he entangle us in such snares.
Mark 6:24. And she went out, and said to her mother We need not wonder that Herodias
attached so much importance to John’s death. 367 The conjecture thrown out by some—that she was
actuated by revenge,—is not at all probable. It was rather the dread of being cast off that inflamed
and tormented her; as it usually happens that, when adulterers are visited with feelings of uneasiness,
they become ashamed of their own lust. But she hoped that this crime would bind Herod more
closely to her than ever, if the disgrace of a pretended marriage were washed out by the blood of
the prophet. That her power might be more secure for the future, she longed for the death of that
man whom she imagined to be her only opponent; and this shows us the wretched anxiety by which
a bad conscience is always tormented. John was detained in prison, and the haughty and cruel
woman might have issued orders that no man should converse with or approach him; and yet she
has no rest, but is oppressed with anxiety and alarm, till the prophet be removed out of the way.
365 “Si elle eust mieux fallu que sa mere;” — “if she were more highly esteemed than her mother.”
366 “Non seulement prend plaisir a un fol passe-temps;” — “not only takes pleasure in a foolish pastime.”
367 “De ce qu’ Herodias a estime un grand avantage pour elle de faire mourir Iean;” — “that Herodias reckoned it a great
advantage to her to put John to death.”
156
John Calvin