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

<strong>Commentary</strong> on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2
In order to make a deeper impression on his hearers, our Lord unquestionably refers here to a
passage in Daniel, (12:3,)
And they that are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament.
“The Prophet,” he seems to say, “when he predicts a future brightness, intimates also that there
is a temporary obscurity: and so, if we admit the prediction, we ought to endure patiently that
mixture which, for a time, classes the elect of God with the reprobate.” By comparing this glory to
the sun, he does not determine that it will be alike in all. As Christ now distributes his gifts variously
218 among believers, in like manner will he crown these gifts at the last day. But we must recollect
what I have said, that the restoration, which is delayed till the last coming of Christ, is compared
with the cloudy state of the world. 219
The kingdom of the Father, as the inheritance of the godly, is contrasted with the earth, to remind
them that here they are pilgrims, and therefore ought to look upwards towards heaven. In another
passage, the kingdom of God is said to be within us, (Luke 17:21,) but we shall not obtain the full
enjoyment of it till God be all in all, (1 Corinthians 15:28.)
MATTHEW 13:31-35; MARK 4:26-34;
LUKE 13:18-22
Matthew 13:31-35
Mark 4:26-34
Luke 13:18-22
31. He delivered another 26. And he said, The 18. Therefore he said, To
parable to them, saying, The kingdom of God is as if a man what is the kingdom of God
kingdom of heaven is like a should cast seed into the ground, like? and to what shall I compare
grain of mustard, which a man 27. And sleep, and rise by night it? 19. It is like a grain of
took and sowed in his field: and day, and the corn should mustard, which a man took and
32. Which indeed is the least of spring and grow up, while cast into his garden, and it grew,
all seeds: but when it is grown knoweth not how. 28. For the and became a large tree, and the
up, it is the largest among herbs, earth yieldeth fruit of itself, first fowls of the air made their nests
220 and becometh a tree, so that the blade, then the ear, and then among its branches. 20. And
the fowls of heaven come and the full corn in the ear. 29. And again he said, To what shall I
make their nests among its when the fruit is matured, he compare the kingdom of God?
branches. 33. He spake another immediately applieth the sickle, 21. It is like leaven, which a
parable to them: The kingdom because the harvest is at hand. woman took and hid in three
of heaven is like leaven, which 30. And he said, To what shall measures of meal, till the whole
218 “Diversement, aux uns plus, aux autres moins;” — “variously, to some more, to others less.”
219 “Avec l’estat present du monde, qui est comme tout obscurci de brouillars;” — “with the present state of the world, which
is entirely, so to speak, obscured by mists.”
220 “Il est plus grand que les autres herbes;” — “it is larger than the other herbs.”
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John Calvin