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

<strong>Commentary</strong> on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2
hope to escape by saying that this ought not to be understood as applicable to every kind of doctrine;
for it will be impossible to find any doctrine but what has come from God that deserves the name
of pure and unleavened Hence it follows that leaven is the name given to every foreign admixture;
as Paul also tells us that faith is rendered spurious, as soon as we are
drawn aside from the simplicity of Christ,
(2 Corinthians 11:3.)
It must now be apparent who are the persons of whose doctrine our Lord charges us to beware.
The ordinary government of the Church was at that time in the hands of the scribes and priests,
among whom the Pharisees held the highest rank. As Christ expressly charges his followers to
beware of their doctrine, it follows that all who mingle their own inventions with the word of God,
or who advance any thing that does not belong to it, must be rejected, how honorable soever may
be their rank, or whatever proud titles they may wear. Accursed and rebellious, therefore, is the
obedience of those who voluntarily submit to the inventions and laws of the Pope.
MARK 8:22-26
Mark 8:22-26
22. And he cometh to Bethsaida, and they bring to him a blind man, and implore him to touch
him. 23. Then taking the blind man by the hand, he led him out of the village. And when he had
spat on his eyes, and laid his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw any thing. 24. And he looking
up said, I see men; for I perceive them walking as if they were trees. 25. Then he again laid his
hands upon his eyes, and desired him to look; and he was restored, so that he saw them all clearly.
26. And he sent him away to his own house, saying, Neither enter into the village, nor tell it to
any one in the village.
This miracle, which is omitted by the other two Evangelists, appears to have been related by
Mark chiefly on account of this circumstance, that Christ restored sight to the blind man, not in an
instant, as he was generally accustomed to do, but in a gradual manner. He did so most probably
for the purpose of proving, in the case of this man, that he had full liberty as to his method of
proceeding, and was not restricted to a fixed rule, so as not to resort to a variety of methods in
exercising his power. On this account, he does not all at once enlighten the eyes of the blind man,
and fit them for performing their office, but communicates to them at first a dark and confused
perception, and afterwards, by laying on his hands a second time, enables them to see perfectly.
And so the grace of Christ, which had formerly been poured out suddenly on others, flowed by
drops, as it were, on this man.
Mark 8:24. I see men. Our Lord had put the question to the blind man for the sake of his
disciples, to inform them that the man had received something, but that hitherto nothing more than
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John Calvin