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

<strong>Commentary</strong> on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2
(Matthew 19:6.) The Papists discover amazing stupidity by singing, in honor of Mary, those very
words by which their superstition is expressly condemned, and who, in giving thanks, detach the
woman’s saying, and leave out the correction. 156 But it was proper that such a universal stupefaction
should come upon those who intentionally profane, at their pleasure, the sacred word of God.
Luke 8:19. And his mother and his brethren came to him. There is an apparent discrepancy
here between Luke and the other two Evangelists; for, according to their arrangement of the narrative,
they represent Christ’s mother and cousins as having come, while he was discoursing about the
unclean spirit, while he refers to a different occasion, and mentions only the woman’s exclamation,
which we have just now explained. But we know that the Evangelists were not very exact as to the
order of dates, or even in detailing minutely every thing that Christ did or said, so that the difficulty
is soon removed. Luke does not state at what precise time Christ’s mother came to him; but what
the other two Evangelists relate before the parable of the sower he introduces after it. The account
which he gives of the exclamation of the woman from among the multitude bears some resemblance
to this narrative; for inconsiderate zeal may have led her to exalt to the highest pitch what she
imagined that Christ had unduly lowered.
All the three Evangelists agree in stating, that while Christ was discoursing in the midst of a
crowd of people, his mother and brethren came to him The reason must have been either that they
were anxious about him, or that they were desirous of instruction; for it is not without some good
reason that they endeavor to approach him, and it is not probable that those who accompanied the
holy mother were unbelievers. Ambrose and Chrysostom accuse Mary of ambition, but without
any probability. What necessity is there for such a conjecture, when the testimony of the Spirit
everywhere bestows commendation on her distinguished piety and modesty? The warmth of natural
affection may have carried them beyond the bounds of propriety: this I do not deny, but I have no
doubt that they were led by pious zeal to seek his society. Matthew relates that the message respecting
their arrival was brought by one individual: Mark and Luke say that he was informed by many
persons. But there is no inconsistency here; for the message which his mother sent to call him would
be communicated, as usually happens, from one hand to another, till at length it reached him.
Matthew 12:48. Who is my mother? These words were unquestionably intended to reprove
Mary’s eagerness, and she certainly acted improperly in attempting to interrupt the progress of his
discourse. 157 At the same time, by disparaging the relationship of flesh and blood, our Lord teaches
a very useful doctrine; for he admits all his disciples and all believers to the same honorable rank,
as if they were his nearest relatives, or rather he places them in the room of his mother and brethren
Now this statement is closely connected with the office of Christ; for he tells us that he has been
156 “Et en leurs graces apres le repas, ils prenent le dire de la femme, laissans la correction qui estoit le principal;” — “and in
their thanksgivings after a meal, they employ the woman’s saying leaving out the correction, which was the most important
matter,”
157 “Et de faict, c’estoit mal avise a elle de vouloir ainsi rompre son propos, lors qu’il enseignoit;” — “and in fact, it was foolish
in her to wish to break off his discourse in this manner, while he was teaching.”
61
John Calvin