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

<strong>Commentary</strong> on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2
and is, actually righteous; while we understand it to mean, that he is accounted righteous, and is
acquitted before the tribunal of God, as is evident from numerous passages of Scripture. And is
not the same thing confirmed by Christ, when he draws a contrast between justified and condemned?
MATTHEW 12:43-45; LUKE 11:24-26
Matthew 12:43-45
Luke 11:24-26
43. But when the unclean spirit hath gone out 24. When the unclean spirit hath gone out of
of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking
rest, and findeth it not. 44. Then he saith, I will rest; and not finding it, he saith, I will return to
return to my house, whence I came out; and my house, whence I came out. 25. And when he
coming, he findeth it empty, and swept, and is come, he findeth it swept and embellished.
embellished. 45. Then he goeth away, and taketh 26. Then he goeth, and taketh with him seven
with him seven other spirits more wicked than other spirits more wicked than himself; and
himself; and entering, he dwelleth there: and the entering, they dwell there: and the last state of
last state of that man is worse than the first. that man is worse than the first.
143
So shall it be also to this wicked generation.
43. But when the unclean spirit hath gone out. He speaks of scribes and hypocrites of a similar
character, who, despising the grace of God, enter into a conspiracy with the devil. Against such
persons he pronounces that punishment which their ingratitude deserves. To make his doctrine
more extensively useful, he points out, in a general manner, the condemnation that awaits those
who, despising the grace offered to them, again open the door to the devil. But as almost every
particle has great weight, there are some points that must be noticed in their order, before we come
to treat the substance of the parable.
What Christ says about the going out of the devil is intended to magnify the power and efficacy
of the grace of God. Whenever God draws near to us, and, above all, when he approaches us in the
person of his Son, the design is, to rescue us from the tyranny of the devil, and to receive us into
his favor. This had been openly declared by Christ in the miracle which he had lately performed.
As it is the peculiar office of Christ to banish wicked spirits, that they may no longer reign over
men, the devil is justly said to go out of those men to whom Christ exhibits himself as a Redeemer.
Though the presence of Christ is not efficacious to all, because unbelievers render it useless to
them, yet he intended to point out why he visits us, what is implied in his coming, and how it is
regarded by wicked spirits; for in every case in which Christ operates on men, the devils are drawn
into a contest with him, and sink beneath his power. Let us, therefore, hold it to be a settled point,
143 “La fin de cest homme est pire que le commencement;” — “the end of that man is worse than the beginning.”
56
John Calvin