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

<strong>Commentary</strong> on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2
hurt you. 20. Nevertheless, rejoice not in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice, because
your names are written in heaven.
17. And the seventy returned. It is evident, that the faith of the seventy disciples in the words
of Christ had not been full and complete, when they returned, exulting over it as a thing new and
unexpected, that they had cast out devils by the power of Christ. Nay, they had received this power
accompanied by a command. At the same time, I have no doubt that, when they departed, they were
convinced that nothing which the Master had said to them would fail of its accomplishment; but
afterwards, when the matter proceeded to an extent which surpassed their expectations, they were
astonished at the sight. 51 And this is frequently the case with believers, that they receive from the
word but a slight perception of the Divine power, and are afterwards excited to admiration by actual
experience. What was the nature of that joy will more clearly appear from Christ’s reply.
18. I beheld Satan From one instance Christ leads them to the whole class; for he commanded
his Gospel to be published for the very purpose of overturning Satan’s kingdom. 52 So then, while
the disciples rested solely on that demonstration which they had obtained from experience, Christ
reminds them, that the power and efficacy of their doctrine extends farther, and that its tendency
is to extirpate the tyranny which Satan exercises over the whole human race. We have now
ascertained the meaning of the words. When Christ commanded that his Gospel should be preached,
he did not at all attempt a matter of doubtful result, but foresaw the approaching ruin of Satan. 53
Now since the Son of God cannot be deceived, and this exercise of his foresight relates to the whole
course of the Gospel, we have no reason to doubt, that whenever he raises up faithful teachers, he
will crown their labor with prosperous success.
Hence we infer, that our deliverance from the bondage of Satan is effected in no other way than
through the Gospel; and that those only make actual proficiency in the Gospel, in whom Satan loses
his power, so that sin is destroyed, and they begin to live to the righteousness of God. We ought
also to attend to the comparison which he employs, that the thunder of the Gospel makes Satan fall
like lightning; for it expresses the divine and astonishing power of the doctrine, which throws down,
in a manner so sudden and violent, the prince of the world armed with such abundant forces. It
expresses also the wretched condition of men, on whose heads fall the darts of Satan, who rules in
the air, and holds the world in subjection under his feet, till Christ appear as a Deliverer.
19. Lo, I give you power. This is said by way of admission. Christ does not affirm that the gift
of which they now boast is not illustrious, but reminds them, that they ought to keep their eye
51 “Ils furent esmerveillez et esbahis de voir cela advenir;” — “they were astonished and overwhelmed at seeing that happen.”
52 “A ceste fin de renverser et destruire;” — “for the very purpose of overthrowing and destroying.”
53 “Christ n’a point entreprins, ou essaye une chose a l’aventure, et de laquelle l’issue fust incertaine: mais a veu que la ruine
de Satan s’en en-suyvroit;” — “Christ did not undertake or attempt a thing at random, and the result of which was uncertain;
but saw that the ruin of Satan would follow from it.”
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John Calvin