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

<strong>Commentary</strong> on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2
that are first shall be last, and the
last first. 636
receive a hundred-fold, and shall
obtain eternal life. 30. And many
that are first shall be last, and the
last first. 634
as my Father hath appointed it
to me; 30. That you may eat and
drink at my table in my kingdom
and may sit on thrones, judging
the twelve tribes of Israel.
Matthew 19:27. Then Peter answering said to him. Peter tacitly compares himself and the
other disciples to the rich man, whom the world had turned aside from Christ. As they had led a
poor and wandering 639 life, which was not unaccompanied by disgrace and by annoyances, and as
no better condition for the future presented itself, he properly inquires if it be to no purpose that
they have left all their property, and devoted themselves to Christ; for it would be unreasonable if,
after having been stripped of their property by the Lord, they should not be restored to a better
condition.
Lo, we have left all. But what were those all things? for, being mean and very poor men, they
scarcely had a home to leave, and therefore this boasting might appear to be ridiculous. And certainly
experience shows how large an estimate men commonly form of their duties towards God, as at
this day, among the Papists, those who were little else than beggars make it a subject of haughty
reproach that they have sustained great damage for the sake of the Gospel. But the disciples may
be excused on this ground, that, though their wealth was not magnificent, they subsisted at home,
by their manual labors, not less cheerfully than the richest man. And we know that men of humble
condition, who have been accustomed to a quiet and modest life, reckon it a greater hardship to be
torn from their wives and children than those who are led by ambition, or who are carried in various
directions by the gale of prosperity. Certainly, if some reward had not been reserved for the disciples,
it would have been foolish in them to have changed their course of life. 640 But though on that ground
they might be excused, they err in this respect, that they demand a triumph to be given them, before
they have finished their warfare. If we ever experience such uneasiness at delay, and if we are
tempted by impatience, let us learn first to reflect on the comforts by which the Lord soothes the
bitterness of the cup in this world, and next elevate our minds to the hope of the heavenly life; for
these two points embrace the answer of Christ.
28. Verily I say to you. That the disciples may not think that they have lost their pains, and
repent of having begun the course, Christ warns them that the glory of his kingdom, which at that
638 “Le royaume.”
636 “Et les derniers seront premiers;” — “and the last shall be first.”
634 “Et les derniers seront premiers;” — “and the last shall be first.”
639 “Et suiete a changer souvent de demeurance;” — “and liable to change their residence frequently.”
640 “D’avoir change d’estat et de facon de vivre;” — “for having changed their condition and their way of living.”
285
John Calvin