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

<strong>Commentary</strong> on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2
when they are convinced that he is the Son of God, and therefore will be victorious over death. The
second method of confirmation is taken from his approaching resurrection.
But it will be proper to look more closely at the words. Mark states — what is omitted by the
other two Evangelists — that, before our Lord explained to his disciples in private that he was
going straight to the sacrifice of death, not only they, but also the rest of his followers, were sorrowful
and trembling. Now why they were seized with this fear it is not easy to say, if it was not because
they had already learned that they had dangerous adversaries at Jerusalem, and would therefore
have wished that Christ should remain in some quiet retreat beyond the reach of the darts, rather
than voluntarily expose himself to such inveterate enemies. Although this fear was in many respects
improper, yet the circumstance of their following Christ is a proof of no ordinary respect and
obedience. It would indeed have been far better to hasten cheerfully and without regret, wheresoever
the Son of God chose to lead them; but commendation is due to their reverence for his person,
which appears in choosing to do violence to their own feelings rather than to forsake him.
Matthew 20:17. Took the twelve disciples apart in the way It may appear surprising that he
makes the twelve alone acquainted with his secret, since all have need of consolation, for all had
been alike seized with fear. I consider the reason why he did not publish his death to have been,
that the report might not spread too widely before the time. Besides, as he did not expect that the
warning would be of immediate advantage, he reckoned it enough to entrust it to a few, who were
afterwards to be his witnesses. For, as the seed thrown into the earth does not immediately spring
up, so we know that Christ said many things to the apostles which did not immediately yield fruit.
And if he had admitted all indiscriminately to this discourse, it was possible that many persons,
seized with alarm, might flee, and fill the ears of the public with this report; and thus the death of
Christ would have lost its glory, because he would have appeared to have rashly brought it on
himself. Secretly, therefore, he addresses the apostles, and does not even select them as qualified
to receive profit by it, but, as I lately hinted, that they may afterwards be witnesses.
On this subject Luke is more full than the others; for he relates not only that Christ predicted
the events which were near at hand, but also that he added the doctrine, that those things which had
been written by the prophets would be accomplished in the Son of man. It was an excellent remedy
for overcoming temptation, to perceive in the very ignominy of the cross the marks by which the
Prophets had pointed out the promised Author of salvation. There can be no doubt that our Lord
pointed out also from the Prophets what kind of fruit they ought to expect from his death; for the
Prophets do not only teach that Christ must suffer, but add the reason, that he may reconcile the
world to God.
18. Lo, we go up to Jerusalem. Hence we perceive that Christ was endued with divine fortitude
for overcoming the terrors of death, for he knowingly and willingly hastens to undergo it. 649 For
why does he, without any constraint, march forward to suffer a shocking murder, but because the
649 “Veu qu’il se haste pour s’y presenter de son bon gre, et seachant bien ce qu’il avoit a endurer;” — “since he hastens to
present himself to it of his own accord, and knowing well what he had to endure.”
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John Calvin