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

<strong>Commentary</strong> on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2
zeal, he acted the part of Satan; for he does not simply call him adversary, but gives him the name
of the devil, as an expression of the greatest abhorrence.
Thou art an offense to me; for thou relishest not those things which are of God, but those which
are of men. We must attend to this as the reason assigned by our Lord for sending Peter away from
him. Peter was an offense to Christ, so long as he opposed his calling; for, when Peter attempted
to stop the course of his Master, it was not owing to him that he did not deprive himself and all
mankind of eternal salvation. This single word, therefore, shows with what care we ought to avoid
every thing that withdraws us from obedience to God. And Christ opens up the original source of
the whole evil, when he says that Peter relishes those things which are of men. 461 Lest we and our
intentions should be sent away by our heavenly Judge to the devil, 462 let us learn not to be too much
attached to our own views, but submissively to embrace whatever the Lord approves. Let the Papists
now go and extol their notions to the skies. They will one day learn, when they appear before the
judgment-seat of God, what is the value of their boasting, which Christ declares to be from Satan
And with regard to ourselves, if we do not, of our own accord, resolve to shut ourselves out from
the way of salvation by deadly obstacles, let us not desire to be wise in any other manner than from
the mouth of God.
24. Then Jesus said to his disciples. As Christ saw that Peter had a dread of the cross, and that
all the rest were affected in the same way, he enters into a general discourse about bearing the
cross, and does not limit his address to the twelve apostles, but lays down the same law for all the
godly. 463 We have already met with a statement nearly similar, (Matthew 10:38.) 464 But in that
passage the apostles were only reminded of the persecution which awaited them, as soon as they
should begin to discharge their office; while a general instruction is here conveyed, and the initiatory
lessons, so to speak, inculcated on all who profess to believe the Gospel.
If any man will come after me. These words are used for the express purpose of refuting the
false views of Peter 465 Presenting himself to every one as an example of self-denial and of patience,
he first shows that it was necessary for him to endure what Peter reckoned to be inconsistent with
his character, and next invites every member of his body to imitate him. The words must be explained
in this manner: “If any man would be my disciple, let him follow me by denying himself and taking
up his cross, or, let him conform himself to my example.” The meaning is, that none can be reckoned
to be the disciples of Christ unless they are true imitators of him, and are willing to pursue the same
course.
461 “Que Pierre s’arreste a la sagesse de l’homme;” — “that Peter rests satisfied with the wisdom of man.”
462 “Et pourtant de peur que le Iuge celeste ne nous renvoye au diable avec nos bonnes affections et intentions;” — “and then
lest our heavenly Judge should send us away to the devil with our good feelings and intentions.”
463 “A tous fideles;” — “to all believers.”
464 Harmony, vol. 1 p. 472.
465 “Pour refuter l’imagination que Pierre avoit en son corveau;” — “to refute the imagination which Peter had in his brain.”
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John Calvin