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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<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