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

<strong>Commentary</strong> on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2
17. Verily, I say to you, That
many prophets and righteous
men have desired to see the
things which you see, and have
not seen them, and to hear the
things which you hear, and have
not heard them.
What I have here introduced from Luke belongs, perhaps, to another time; but I saw no necessity
for separating what he has placed in immediate connection. First, he says that the twelve apostles
preached the kingdom of God along with Christ; from which we infer that, though the ordinary
office of teaching had not yet been committed to them, they constantly attended as heralds to procure
an audience for their Master; and, therefore, though they held an inferior rank, they are said to have
been Christ’s assistants. Next, he adds, that among those who accompanied Christ were certain
women, who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases, such as Mary Magdalene, who had been
tormented by seven devils To be associated with such persons might be thought dishonorable; for
what could be more unworthy of the Son of God than to lead about with him women who were
marked with infamy? But this enables us more clearly to perceive that the crimes with which we
were loaded before we believed, are so far from diminishing the glory of Christ, that they tend
rather to raise it to a higher pitch. And, certainly, it is not said, that the Church which he elected
was found by him to be without spot and blemish, but that he cleansed it with his blood, and made
it pure and fair.
The wretched and disgraceful condition of those women, now that they had been delivered from
it, redounded greatly to the glory of Christ, by holding out public manifestations of his power and
grace. At the same time, Luke applauds their gratitude in following their Deliverer, and disregarding
the ridicule of the world. 174 Beyond all question, they were pointed at with the finger on every side,
and the presence of Christ served for a platform to exhibit them; but they do not refuse to have their
own shame made generally known, provided that the grace of Christ be not concealed. On the
contrary, they willingly endure to be humbled, in order to become a mirror, by which he may be
illustriously displayed.
In Mary, the boundless goodness of Christ was displayed in an astonishing manner. A woman,
who had been possessed by seven devils, and might be said to have been the meanest slave of Satan,
was not merely honored to be his disciple, but admitted to enjoy his society. Luke adds the surname
Magdalene, to distinguish her from the sister of Martha, and other persons of the name of Mary,
who are mentioned in other passages, (John 11:1; 19:25.)
174 “D’autant qu’elles ont suyvi leur Liberateur, nonobstant l’ignominie du monde qu’il leur faloit endurer en ce faisant;” —
“because they followed their Deliverer, notwithstanding the ignominy of the world which they must endure by so doing.”
68
John Calvin