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

<strong>Commentary</strong> on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2
Luke adds a few words, Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest; 719 in which there would be
no obscurity, were it not that they do not correspond to the song of the angels, (Luke 2:14;) for
there the angels ascribe to God glory in heaven, and to men peace on earth; while here both peace
and glory are ascribed to God. But there is no contradiction in the meaning; for, though the angels
state more distinctly the reason why we ought to sing, Glory to God — namely, because through
his mercy men enjoy peace in this world — yet the meaning is the same with what is now declared
by the multitude, that there is peace in heaven; for we know that there is no other way in which
wretched souls find rest in the world, than by God reconciling himself to them out of heaven.
LUKE 19:41-44
Luke 19:41-44
41. And when he came near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, saying, 42. O if even thou,
and at least in this thy day, hadst known and considered the things which belong to thy peace! but
now they are hid from thy eyes. 43. For the days will come upon thee, and thy enemies will
encompass thee with a rampart; 720 and will enclose thee, and will shut thee in on all sides; 44. And
will level thee with the ground, and thy children who are within thee; and will not leave in thee
one stone upon another; because thou didst not know the time of thy visitation.
41. And wept over it. As there was nothing which Christ more ardently desired than to execute
the office which the Father had committed to him, and as he knew that the end of his calling was
to gather the lost sheep of the house of Israel, (Matthew 15:24,) he wished that his coming might
bring salvation to all. This was the reason why he was moved with compassion, and wept over the
approaching destruction of the city of Jerusalem. For while he reflected that this was the sacred
abode which God had chosen, in which the covenant of eternal salvation should dwell — the
sanctuary from which salvation would go forth to the whole world, it was impossible that he should
not deeply deplore its ruin. And when he saw the people, who had been adopted to the hope of
eternal life, perish miserably through their ingratitude and wickedness, we need not wonder if he
could not refrain from tears.
As to those who think it strange that Christ should bewail an evil which he had it in his power
to remedy, this difficulty is quickly removed. For as he came down from heaven, that, clothed in
human flesh, he might be the witness and minister of the salvation which comes from God, so he
actually took upon him human feelings, as far as the office which he had undertaken allowed. And
719 “Es lieux tres-hauts;” — “in the very high places.”
720 “T’assiegeront de rempars;” — “will besiege thee with ramparts.”
320
John Calvin