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

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<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 />

darkness, that he carried a great company al<strong>on</strong>g with him, and rendered that place illustrious by<br />

his miracles. He withdrew from their presence for the sole purpose of not aggravating their rage.<br />

<strong>Mark</strong> 3:6. The Pharisees took counsel with the Herodians. Now they regarded the Herodians<br />

with the fiercest hatred; for their eagerness to be c<strong>on</strong>sidered the guardians and protectors of public<br />

liberty made it necessary for them to make an open professi<strong>on</strong> of mortal hatred to the ministers of<br />

that tyrant. And yet this aversi<strong>on</strong> is counteracted by their hatred and fury against Christ, 88 which<br />

makes them not <strong>on</strong>ly enter into a c<strong>on</strong>spiracy with foreigners, but insinuate themselves into the good<br />

graces of those with whom, <strong>on</strong> other occasi<strong>on</strong>s, they would have shrunk from intercourse. While<br />

ungodliness hurries men in various directi<strong>on</strong>s, and drives them to different courses, it engages them,<br />

with <strong>on</strong>e c<strong>on</strong>sent, in a c<strong>on</strong>test with God. No hostilities prevent them from giving their hand to each<br />

other for opposing the truth of God.<br />

<strong>Matthew</strong> 12:16. And he threatened them. The expressi<strong>on</strong> used by <strong>Mark</strong> c<strong>on</strong>veys, in a still more<br />

pointed manner, that he restrained the unclean spirits, 89 who were exclaiming, Thou art the S<strong>on</strong><br />

of God. We have formerly explained the reas<strong>on</strong> why he did not choose to have such witnesses. 90<br />

And yet there is no room to doubt, that divine power extorted from the devils this c<strong>on</strong>fessi<strong>on</strong>; but<br />

having made it evident that they were subject to his domini<strong>on</strong>, Christ properly rejected their<br />

testim<strong>on</strong>y. But <strong>Matthew</strong> goes farther, and states, that Christ discharged them from spreading the<br />

fame of the miracles which he was performing. Not that he wished that fame to be wholly repressed,<br />

(as we have pointed out <strong>on</strong> other occasi<strong>on</strong>s, 91 but to allow it to strike root, that it might bring forth<br />

abundant fruit at the proper seas<strong>on</strong>. We know that Christ did not perform miracles for the purpose<br />

of amusement, but had a distinct object in view, which was to prove that he was the S<strong>on</strong> of God,<br />

and the appointed Redeemer of the world. But he was manifested gradually, and by regular steps,<br />

and was not revealed in his true character<br />

“until the time appointed by the Father,”<br />

(Galatians 4:2.)<br />

At the same time, it deserves our attenti<strong>on</strong>, that when wicked men do their utmost to extinguish<br />

the glory of God, they are so far from gaining their wish, that, <strong>on</strong> the c<strong>on</strong>trary, God turns their<br />

rebellious designs in an opposite directi<strong>on</strong>. Though Christ withdrew from a populous district, yet<br />

in this very c<strong>on</strong>cealment 92 his glory c<strong>on</strong>tinues to shine, and even bursts forth magnificently into<br />

its full splendor.<br />

88 “Toutesfois la haine enragee qu’ils <strong>on</strong>t c<strong>on</strong>tre Christ, surm<strong>on</strong>te toutes leurs autres meschantes affecti<strong>on</strong>s;” — “and yet the<br />

enraged hatred which they have against Christ rises above all their other wicked dispositi<strong>on</strong>s.”<br />

89 “A scavoir qu’il menacoit et faisoit taire les esprits imm<strong>on</strong>des;”— “namely, that he threatened and silenced the unclean<br />

spirits.”<br />

90 Harm<strong>on</strong>y, volume 1 p. 246.<br />

91 Harm<strong>on</strong>y, volume 1, pp. 374, 418.<br />

92 “Toutesfois mesmes en ceste cachete, (par maniere de dire;”)—”yet even in this hiding place, (so to speak.”)<br />

38<br />

John Calvin

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