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

<strong>Commentary</strong> on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2
22. Bring out the best robe. Although in parables (as we have frequently observed) it would be
idle to follow out every minute circumstance, yet it will be no violence to the literal meaning, if
we say, that our heavenly Father not only pardons our sins in such a manner as to bury the
remembrance of them, but even restores those gifts of which we had been deprived; as, on the other
hand, by taking them from us, he chastises our ingratitude in order to make us feel ashamed at the
reproach and disgrace of our nakedness.
LUKE 15:25-32
Luke 15:25-32
25. Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and drew near to the house, he heard
music and dancing. 26. And he called one of his servants, and asked what those things were. 540
27. And he said to him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he
hath received him safe and sound. 541 28. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore his
father went out, and entreated him. 29. But he answering said to his father, Behold, during so many
years I serve thee, and never have I transgressed thy commandment; and thou never gavest me a
kid, that I might be merry with my friends: 30. But after that this thy son, who hath devoured thy
property with harlots, is come, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 31. But he said to him, Son,
542 thou art always with me, and all my property is thine. 32. But it was proper that we should be
merry and rejoice; because this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.
This latter portion of the parable charges those persons with cruelty, who would wickedly
choose to set limits to the grace of God, as if they envied the salvation of wretched sinners. For we
know that this is pointed at the haughtiness of the scribes, 543 who did not think that they received
the reward due to their merits, if Christ admitted publicans and the common people to the hope of
the eternal inheritance. The substance of it therefore is, that, if we are desirous to be reckoned the
children of God, we must forgive in a brotherly manner the faults of brethren, which He forgives
with fatherly kindness.
25. And his elder son was in the field. Those who think that, under the figure of the first-born
son, the Jewish nation is described, have indeed some argument on their side; but I do not think
540 “Et l’interroga que c’estoit;” — “and asked him what it was.”
541 The two adjectives, safe and sound, which occur in the authorized version, are here retained as the translation of “incolumem,”
which conveys both ideas; and this is fully justified by our author’s vernacular,” pourtant qu’il l’a recouvre sain et sauf;” —
because he hath received him back sound and safe.” — Ed.
542 “Mon enfant;” — “my child.”
543 “L’orgueil et la presomption des Scribes;” — “the pride and presumption of the Scribes.”
245
John Calvin