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

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

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ong>Commentaryong> 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.” 292 John Calvin

ong>Commentaryong> on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2 invincible power of the Spirit enabled him to subdue fear, and raised him above all human feelings? By a minute detail of the circumstances, he gives a still more evident proof of his Divinity. For he could not — as man — have foreseen that, after having been condemned by the chief priests and scribes, he would be delivered up to the Gentiles, and spat on, and mocked in various ways, and scourged, and at length dragged to the punishment of the cross Yet it must be observed that, though our Lord was fully acquainted with the weakness of his disciples, he does not conceal from them a very grievous offense. For — as we have said on a former occasion 650 — nothing could at that time have happened more powerfully calculated to shake the minds of the godly, than to see the whole of the sacred order of the Church opposed to Christ. And yet he does not spare their weakness by deceiving them, but, candidly declaring the whole matter, points out the way to overcome temptation; namely, by looking forward with certainty to his resurrection. But as it was necessary that His death should go before, he makes their triumph, in the meantime, to consist in hope. Luke 18:34. And they understood none of these things. What stupidity was this, not to understand what Christ said to them in a plain and familiar manner, on a subject not too lofty or intricate, but of which they had, at their own suggestion, entertained some suspicion! But it is proper also to bear in mind — what I have formerly observed — the reason why they were held in such gross ignorance, which was, that they had formed the expectation of a joyful and prosperous advancement, and therefore reckoned it to be in the highest degree absurd, that Christ should be ignominiously crucified. Hence we infer with what madness the minds of men are seized through a false imagination; and therefore we ought to be the more careful not to yield to any foolish thoughts, and shut our eyes against the light. MATTHEW 20:20-23; MARK 10:35-40 Matthew 20:20-23 Mark 10:35-40 20. Then came to him the mother of 35. And James and John, sons of Zebedee, Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping, came to him, saying, Master, we desire that thou 651 and asking something from him. 21. And he shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall ask. said to her, What wilt thou? She saith to him, 36. And he said to them, What do you wish that Grant that these my two sons may sit, one at thy I should do for you? 37. And they said, Grant to right hand, and the other at the left, in thy us that we may sit, on at thy right hand, and the kingdom. 22. And Jesus answering said, You other at thy left, in thy glory. 38. And Jesus said know not what you ask. Can you drink the cup to them, You know not what you ask. Can you which I shall drink, and be baptized with the drink the cup which I drink, and be baptized with 650 See p. 301 of this volume. 651 “S’enclinant a luy;” — “bowing down to him.” 293 John Calvin

<str<strong>on</strong>g>Commentary</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> <strong>Matthew</strong>, <strong>Mark</strong>, <strong>Luke</strong> - <strong>Volume</strong> 2<br />

invincible power of the Spirit enabled him to subdue fear, and raised him above all human feelings?<br />

By a minute detail of the circumstances, he gives a still more evident proof of his Divinity. For he<br />

could not — as man — have foreseen that, after having been c<strong>on</strong>demned by the chief priests and<br />

scribes, he would be delivered up to the Gentiles, and spat <strong>on</strong>, and mocked in various ways, and<br />

scourged, and at length dragged to the punishment of the cross Yet it must be observed that, though<br />

our Lord was fully acquainted with the weakness of his disciples, he does not c<strong>on</strong>ceal from them<br />

a very grievous offense. For — as we have said <strong>on</strong> a former occasi<strong>on</strong> 650 — nothing could at that<br />

time have happened more powerfully calculated to shake the minds of the godly, than to see the<br />

whole of the sacred order of the Church opposed to Christ.<br />

And yet he does not spare their weakness by deceiving them, but, candidly declaring the whole<br />

matter, points out the way to overcome temptati<strong>on</strong>; namely, by looking forward with certainty to<br />

his resurrecti<strong>on</strong>. But as it was necessary that His death should go before, he makes their triumph,<br />

in the meantime, to c<strong>on</strong>sist in hope.<br />

<strong>Luke</strong> 18:34. And they understood n<strong>on</strong>e of these things. What stupidity was this, not to understand<br />

what Christ said to them in a plain and familiar manner, <strong>on</strong> a subject not too lofty or intricate, but<br />

of which they had, at their own suggesti<strong>on</strong>, entertained some suspici<strong>on</strong>! But it is proper also to bear<br />

in mind — what I have formerly observed — the reas<strong>on</strong> why they were held in such gross ignorance,<br />

which was, that they had formed the expectati<strong>on</strong> of a joyful and prosperous advancement, and<br />

therefore reck<strong>on</strong>ed it to be in the highest degree absurd, that Christ should be ignominiously<br />

crucified. Hence we infer with what madness the minds of men are seized through a false<br />

imaginati<strong>on</strong>; and therefore we ought to be the more careful not to yield to any foolish thoughts,<br />

and shut our eyes against the light.<br />

MATTHEW 20:20-23; MARK 10:35-40<br />

<strong>Matthew</strong> 20:20-23<br />

<strong>Mark</strong> 10:35-40<br />

20. Then came to him the mother of 35. And James and John, s<strong>on</strong>s of Zebedee,<br />

Zebedee’s children with her s<strong>on</strong>s, worshipping, came to him, saying, Master, we desire that thou<br />

651 and asking something from him. 21. And he shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall ask.<br />

said to her, What wilt thou? She saith to him, 36. And he said to them, What do you wish that<br />

Grant that these my two s<strong>on</strong>s may sit, <strong>on</strong>e at thy I should do for you? 37. And they said, Grant to<br />

right hand, and the other at the left, in thy us that we may sit, <strong>on</strong> at thy right hand, and the<br />

kingdom. 22. And Jesus answering said, You other at thy left, in thy glory. 38. And Jesus said<br />

know not what you ask. Can you drink the cup to them, You know not what you ask. Can you<br />

which I shall drink, and be baptized with the drink the cup which I drink, and be baptized with<br />

650 See p. 301 of this volume.<br />

651 “S’enclinant a luy;” — “bowing down to him.”<br />

293<br />

John Calvin

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