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

<strong>Commentary</strong> on Matthew, Mark, Luke - Volume 2
was proper and suitable to hearers, whom he knew to be not yet sufficiently prepared to receive
instruction.
35. That it might be fulfilled Matthew does not mean, that the psalm, which he quotes, is a
prediction which relates peculiarly to Christ, but that, as the majesty of the Spirit was displayed in
the discourse of the Prophet, in the same manner was his power manifested in the discourse of
Christ. The Prophet, when he is about to speak of God’s covenant, by which he adopted the seed
of Abraham, of the benefits which he continued to bestow upon his people, and of the whole
government of the Church, introduces his subject in lofty terms, I will open my mouth in parables,
(Psalm 78:2:) that is, “I will not speak of trifling matters, but will handle with becoming gravity
subjects of the highest importance.” When he adds, I will utter dark sayings, the meaning is the
same; such repetitions being very frequent in the Psalms. The Hebrew word , (Meshalim) signifies
comparisons; and it came afterwards to be applied to “weighty sentences,” because comparisons
generally impart beauty and energy to a discourse. The word (Chidoth) sometimes denotes
“riddles,” and at other times, “short sayings.”
Now though Matthew seems to allude to the word parable, he undoubtedly means, that Christ
spoke figuratively, in order that his very style, being more brilliant than ordinary discourse, might
carry more weight and dignity. In short, he says that what is contained in the psalm was fulfilled;
because the use of allegories and figures tended to show, that Christ was treating of the hidden
mysteries of God, and to prevent his doctrine from being despised. Hence, too, we infer, that there
was no inconsistency in the various objects which Christ had in view, when he spoke to the people
in a dark manner. Though he intended to conceal from the reprobate what he was saying, yet he
labored to make them feel, even in the midst of their amazement, that there was something heavenly
and divine in his language. 225
Luke 13:22. Journeying towards Jerusalem. It is uncertain whether Luke speaks only of one
journey, or means that, while Christ walked throughout Judea, and visited each part of it for the
purpose of teaching, he was wont to go up to Jerusalem at the festivals. The former clause, certainly,
appears to describe that course of life which Christ invariably pursued, from the time that he began
to discharge the office which had been committed to him by the Father. To make the latter clause
agree with this, the meaning will be, that, when the festivals were at hand, he attended, along with
others, 226 the holy assemblies.
MATTHEW 13:44-52
225 “Car combien qu’il voulust parler en telle sorte que les reprouvez n’y entendissent rien, il a toutesfois tellement modere
son style, qu’en leur stupidite ils ont senti que son parler avoit quelque vertu celeste et Divine;” — “for, though he intended to
speak in such a manner, that the reprobate might understand nothing of it, yet he was so regulated in his style that, amidst their
stupidity, they felt that his manner of speaking had some Divine and heavenly power.”
226 “Sa coustume estoit de se trouver;” — “his custom was to be present.”
89
John Calvin