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

<strong>Commentary</strong> on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2
doubt, a higher rank; 623 but as the observation of the first table is often feigned by hypocrites, the
second table is better adapted for making a scrutiny. 624 Let us know, therefore, that Christ selected
those commandments in which is contained a proof of true righteousness; but by a synecdoche he
takes a part for the whole. As to the circumstance of his placing that commandment last which
speaks of honoring parents, it is of no consequence, for he paid no attention to the regular order.
Yet it is worthy of notice, that this commandment is declared to belong to the second table, that no
one may be led astray by the error of Josephus, who thought that it belonged to the first table. 625
What is added at the end, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, contains nothing different from the former
commandments, but is, general explanation of them all.
The young man saith to him. The law must have been dead to him, when he vainly imagined
that he was so righteous; for if he had not flattered himself through hypocrisy, it was an excellent
advice to him to learn humility, to contemplate his spots and blemishes in the mirror of the law.
But, intoxicated with foolish confidence, he fearlessly boasts that he has discharged his duty properly
from his childhood. Paul acknowledges that the same thing happened to himself, that, so long as
the power of the law was unknown to him, he believed that he was alive; but that, after he knew
what the law could do, a deadly wound was inflicted on him, (Romans 7:9.) So the reply of Christ,
which follows, was suited to the man’s disposition. And yet Christ does not demand any thing
beyond the commandments of the law, but, as the bare recital had not affected him, Christ employed
other words for detecting the hidden disease of avarice.
I confess that we are nowhere commanded in the law to sell all; but as the design of the law is,
to bring men to self-denial, and as it expressly condemns covetousness, we see that Christ had no
other object in view than to correct the false conviction of the young man. 626 for if he had known
himself thoroughly, as soon as he heard the mention of the law, he would have acknowledged that
he was liable to the judgment of God; but now, when the bare words of the law do not sufficiently
convince him of his guilt, the inward meaning is expressed by other words. If Christ now demanded
any thing beyond the commandments of the law, he would be at variance with himself. He just now
taught that perfect righteousness is comprehended in the commandments of the law: how then will
it agree with this to charge the law with deficiency? Besides, the protestation of Moses,
(Deuteronomy 30:15,) which I formerly quoted, would be false.
623 “Vray est qu’entre les commandemens ceux qui parlent de la recognoissance que nous devons a Dieu tienent le premier
degre;” — “it is true that, among the commandments, those which speak of the acknowledgment which we owe to God hold the
first rank.”
624 “A faire examen pour cognoistre les personnes;” — “to make a scrutiny for knowing persons.”
625 Josephus says that there were five on each table, from which it must be inferred, that he considered the Fifth commandment
as belonging to the First Table. His words are: He showed them the two tables, with the ten commandments engraven upon them,
Five upon each table; and the writin was by the hand of God. — (Ant. 3. 6, 8.) — Ed.
626 “La fausse persuasion et presomption de ee ieune homme;” — “the false conviction and presumption of this young man.”
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John Calvin