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

<strong>Commentary</strong> on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2
receiveth not me, but him that
sent me.
Matthew 17:22. And while they remained in Galilee. The nearer that the time of his death
approached, the more frequently did Christ warn his disciples, lest that melancholy spectacle might
give a violent shock to their faith. It was shortly after the miracle had been performed that this
discourse was delivered; for Mark says that he went from that place to Galilee, in order to spend
there the intervening time in privacy; for he had resolved to come to Jerusalem on the day of the
annual sacrifice, because he was to be sacrificed at the approaching Passover.
The disciples had previously received several intimations on this subject, and yet they are as
much alarmed as if nothing relating to it had ever reached their ears. So great is the influence of
preconceived opinion, that it brings darkness over the mind in the midst of the clearest light. The
apostles had imagined that the state of Christ’s kingdom would be prosperous and delightful, and
that, as soon as he made himself known, he would be universally received with the highest
approbation. They never thought it possible that the priests, and scribes, and other rulers of the
Church, would oppose him. Under the influence of this prejudice, they admit nothing that is said
on the other side; for Mark says that they understood not what our Lord meant. Whence came it
that a discourse so clear and distinct was not understood, but because their minds were covered by
the thick veil of a foolish imagination?
They did not venture to make any farther inquiry. This must have been owing, in part, to their
reverence for their Master; but I have no doubt that their grief and astonishment at what they had
heard kept them silent. Such bashfulness was not altogether commendable; for it kept them in doubt,
and hesitation, and sinful grief. In the meantime, a confused principle of piety, rather than a clear
knowledge of the truth, kept them attached to Christ, and prevented them from leaving his school.
A certain commencement of faith and right understanding had been implanted in their hearts, which
made their zeal in following Christ not very different from the implicit faith of the Papists; but as
they had not yet made such progress as to become acquainted with the nature of the kingdom of
God and of the renewal which had been promised in Christ, I say that they were guided by zeal for
piety rather than by distinct knowledge.
In this way we come to see what there was in them that deserved praise or blame. But though
their stupidity could not entirely be excused, we have no reason to wonder that a plain and distinct
announcement of the cross of their Master, and of the ignominy to which he would be subjected,
appeared to them a riddle; not only because they reckoned it to be inconsistent with the glory of
the Son of God that he should be rejected and condemned, but because it appeared to them to be
highly improbable that the grace which was promised in a peculiar manner to the Jews should be
set at naught by the rulers of the nation. But as the immoderate dread of the cross, which had
suddenly seized upon them, shut the door against the consolation which was immediately added,
arising out of the hope of the resurrection, let us learn that, when the death of Christ is mentioned,
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John Calvin