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

<strong>Commentary</strong> on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2
from their calling; for as in battle the greatest coward is the keenest to seize the booty, so in the
kingdom of Christ none are more eager to obtain the superiority than those who shrink from all the
annoyance which attends toil. Most properly, therefore, does Christ enjoin those who were puffed
up with vain glory to keep by their post. 655 The sum of the whole is, that for none but him who has
fought lawfully is the crown prepared; and especially, that none will be a partaker of the life and
the kingdom of Christ who has not previously shared in his sufferings and death.
In the word baptism the force of the metaphor is very evident; for we know that by baptism
believers are instructed to deny themselves, (Matthew 45:24;) to crucify the old man, (Romans 6:6;)
and, in short, to bear the cross It is uncertain if, by the word cup, (ποτήριον,) our Lord alluded to
the mystery of the Holy Supper; but as it had not yet come into use, I choose to interpret it more
simply as denoting the measure of afflictions which God appoints to every one. For as it is his right
to lay on every one his own burden according to his pleasure, in the same manner as a householder
distributes and allots the portions of the members of his family, so He is said to give them a cup to
drink 656
These words contain no ordinary consolation for alleviating the bitterness of the cross, when
in the cross Christ associates himself with us. And what could be more desirable than to have every
thing in common with the Son of God? for thus are those things which at first sight appear to be
deadly made to yield to us salvation and life. On the other hand, how shall he be reckoned among
the disciples of Christ, who desires to be wholly exempted from the cross? For such person refuses
to submit to the baptism of Christ, which is nothing else than to withdraw from the earliest lessons.
657 Now whenever baptism is mentioned, let us recollect that we were baptized on this condition,
and for this purpose, that the cross may be attached to our shoulders.
The boast made with so much confidence by John and James, that they are prepared to drink
the cup, manifests the presumption of the flesh; for, when we are beyond the reach of darts, we
think nothing impossible. And not long afterwards, the melancholy result exposed their rashness;
but in so far it was good in them that, when they were free to make a choice, they presented
themselves to bear the cross.
23. You shall indeed drink my cup. As they were disciples, it was proper that they should be
assimilated to their Master. Christ warns them of what will take place, that they may be prepared
to endure it with patience; and, in the persons of two men, he addresses all his followers. For though
many believers die a natural death, and without violence or shedding of blood, yet it is common to
655 “A bon droict done Christ royant ses deux disciples eslevez d’une vaine gloire, les arreste a penser aux choses qui concernent
le devoir de leur vocation;” — “with good reason, then, does Christ, seeing his two disciples carried away by vain glory, make
them stop to consider the things which belong to the duty of their calling.”
656 “Il est dit pour ceste cause, que Dieu donne la coupe a boire;” — “for this reason it is said that God gives the cup to drink.”
657 “Car cela n’est proprement autre chose que se retirer des commencemens, et ne vouloir entrer a la premiere lecon de son
eschole;” — “for that is properly nothing else than to withdraw at the beginning, and to refuse to enter into the first lesson of
his school.”
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John Calvin