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

<strong>Commentary</strong> on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2
24. The ship was now in the midst of the sea. The reader will find this narrative expounded by
me at the sixth chapter of John’s Gospel, and therefore I shall treat it more briefly here. When Christ
permitted his disciples to be tossed about in a perilous condition, for a time, by an opposing storm,
it was to fix their attention more powerfully on the assistance which he brought to them. For the
adverse wind arose about midnight, or at least a little before it, and Christ appears about the fourth
watch, that is, three hours before sunrise. Their arms were not more fatigued by rowing than their
faith was shaken by grievous terrors. But when they were urged by strong necessity to desire the
presence of their Master, it showed very extraordinary stupidity to be alarmed at his appearance as
if he had been a ghost.
For this reason Mark tells us, that their heart was blinded, and that they understood not about
the loaves; for that miracle had given abundant evidence that Christ possessed divine power to
assist his followers, and that he was careful to assist them, when necessity required. Justly, therefore,
are they now charged with stupidity in not immediately recollecting that heavenly power, having
beheld, on the preceding day, so astonishing a proof of it, which ought to have been still before
their eyes. It is, no doubt, true, that their blameworthy slowness of apprehension was the reason
why they were astonished; for they had not profited, as they ought to have done, by other and
preceding miracles. But the principal charge brought against them is blindness, in allowing so recent
an exhibition to fade from their memory, or rather in not directing their mind to the contemplation
of Christ’s divinity, of which the multiplication of the loaves was a sufficiently bright mirror.
Two things are expressed by the words of Mark; first, that they did not properly consider the
glory of Christ, which was exhibited in the multiplication of the loaves; and, secondly, a reason is
assigned, that their heart was blinded. This appears to have been added, not only as an aggravation
of their fault, but as a warning to us respecting the corruption of our understanding, that we may
seek from the Lord new eyes. It certainly was a proof—as I have lately mentioned—of brutal
ignorance, that they did not perceive the power of God, when they might almost feel it with their
hands; but as the whole human race labors under the same disease, Mark purposely mentions
blindness, in order to inform us that it is no new thing if men have their eyes closed against the
manifest works of God, till they are enlightened from above; as Moses also said,
The Lord hath not yet given thee a heart to understand, (Deuteronomy 29:4.)
Now though the word heart more frequently denotes the will or the seat of the affections, yet
here, as in that passage which I have now quoted from Moses, it is put for the understanding.
27. But immediately Jesus spake to them. As Christ is not known to be a Deliverer till he actually
makes his appearance, he speaks, and desires his disciples to recognize him. That confidence, to
which he exhorts them, is represented by him as founded on his presence; plainly implying that,
since they perceive him to be present with them, there are abundant grounds of hope. But as terror
had already overpowered their minds, he corrects that terror, lest it should hinder or abate their
confidence: not that they could all at once lay aside fear and experience unmingled joy, but because
it was necessary that the fear which had seized them should be allayed, that it might not destroy
their confidence. Although to the reprobate the voice of the Son of God is deadly, and his presence
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John Calvin