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

<strong>Commentary</strong> on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2
38. Then some of the scribes and Pharisees 16. And others tempting, sought from him a
asked him, saying, Master, we desire to see a sign sign from heaven. — (A little after.) 29. And
from thee. 39. But he answering said to them, A while the multitudes were crowding together, he
wicked and adulterous generation seeketh a sign, began to say, This is a wicked generation: it
160 and a sign shall not be given to it, except the seeketh a sign, and a sign shall not be given to
sign of Jonah the prophet. 40. For as Jonah was it, except the sign of Jonah the prophet. 30. For
in the belly of the whale three days and three as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so shall the
nights, so will the Son of man be three days and Son of man be also to this nation. 31. The queen
three nights in the heart of the earth. 41. The men of the south will rise in judgment with the men
of Nineveh will rise in judgment with this of this nation, and will condemn them: for she
generation, and will condemn it: for they repented came from the ends of the earth to hear the
at the preaching of Jonah; and, lo, a greater than wisdom of Solomon; and, lo, a great than
Jonah is here. Solomon is here. 32. The men of Nineveh will
161 42. The queen of the south will
rise in judgment with this generation, and will rise in judgment with this nation, and will
condemn it: for she came from the ends of the condemn it: for they were brought to repentance
earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, lo, a by the preaching of Jonah; and, lo, a greater than
greater than Solomon is here. Jonah is here.
162
Luke 11:16. And others tempting sought from him a sign. Something similar to this is afterwards
related by Matthew, (16:4,) and by Mark, (8:11, 12.) Hence it is evident, that Christ repeatedly
attacked them on this subject, so that there was no end to the wickedness of those men who had
once resolved 163 to oppose the truth. There can be no doubt that they ask a sign, in order to plead,
as a plausible pretense for their unbelief, that Christ’s calling has not been duly attested. They do
not express such submissiveness as to be prepared to yield to two or three miracles, and still less
to be satisfied with a single miracle; but as I hinted a little before, they apologize for not believing
the Gospel on this pretense, that Christ shows no sign of it from heaven. 164 He had already performed
miracles before their eyes sufficiently numerous and manifest; but as if these were not enough for
the confirmation of doctrine, they wish to have something exhibited from heaven, by which God
will, as it were, make a visible appearance. They call him Master, according to custom; for such
was the appellation given at that time to all scribes and expounders of the law. But they do not
160 “Ausquels il respondit, et leur dit, La nation meschante et adultere (ou, bastarde) requiert un signe;” — “to whom he
answered, and said to them, The wicked and adulterous (or, bastard) nation demandeth a sign.”
161 “Et voyci, il y a ici plus que Ionas;” — “and, lo, there is here a greater than Jonah.”
162 “Et voyci, il y a ici plus que Salomon;” — “and, lo, there is here a greater than Solomon.”
163 “Qui une fois s’estoyent endurcis;” — “who had once become hardened.”
164 “Que Christ ne leur monstre aucun signe d’enhaut qui soit pour seelet ceste doctrine;” — “that Christ shows them no sign
from above that is sufficient to seal this doctrine.”
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John Calvin