Matthew 9

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:4

Verse 4 4.And when Jesus saw their thoughts He now gives a proof of his Divinity in bringing to light their secret thoughts: for who knoweth the things of a man but the spirit of man which is in him? (1 Corinthians 2:11.) And so Mark adds, that Jesus knew by his Spirit: which means, that what was concealed in their hearts could not be perceived by man, but that Christ by his Divine Spirit knew it thoroughly. Why do you think evil? This does not imply that it gave them pain to see a mortal man... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:5

Verse 5 5.Whether is it easier to say? The meaning is, that, as it is not easier to quicken by a word a body which is nearly dead than to forgive sins, there is no reason to wonder that he forgives sins, when he has accomplished the other. The argument which our Lord uses may appear to be not well-founded: for, in proportion as the soul is more excellent than the body, the forgiveness of sins is a greater work than the healing of the body. But the reply is easy. Christ adapts his discourse to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:6

Verse 6 6.That the Son of man hath authority on earth. This authority is very different from what was given to the apostles, and from what is now exercised by the pastors of the Church: for they cannot so properly be said to pardon sins, as to declare that they are pardoned, when they deliver the commission which is entrusted to them. By these words Christ declares that he is not only the minister and witness, but likewise the author, of this grace. But what means this restriction, on earth? Of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:8

Verse 8 8.And the multitudes who saw Instead of astonishment which Matthew mentions, (511) the other two Evangelists employ the word ἔκστασις, or amazement: and Luke adds fear But the design of all the Evangelists is to show, that the power of God was not merely acknowledged, but that all were struck with astonishment, and compelled to give glory to God. The fear, which followed the astonishment, had the effect of preventing them from opposing Christ, and of making them submit to him with... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:9

Verse 9 Matthew 9:9.Jesus saw a man sitting at the customhouse. The custom-house has usually been a place noted for plundering and for unjust exactions, and was at that time particularly infamous. In the choice of Matthew out of that place, not only to be admitted into the family of Christ, but even to be called to the office of Apostle, we have a striking instance of the grace of God. It was the intention of Christ to choose simple and ignorant persons to that rank, in order to cast down the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:11

Verse 11 Matthew 9:11.Why does your Master eat with publicans and sinners? The scribes attack the disciples of Christ, and, with the view of soliciting them to revolt, reproach him with what was at first sight base and shameful.” Of what use was it that he should be their Master, if it were not to withdraw them from the majority of men to lead a holier life? On the contrary, he withdrew them from a respectable and passable condition in life to ungodly licentiousness, and to pollute themselves... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:12

Verse 12 12.Not they who are in health need a physician It is evident from Christ’s reply that the scribes erred in two ways: they did not take into account the office of Christ; and, while they spared their own vices, they proudly despised all others. This deserves our particular attention, for it is a disease which has been always very general. Hypocrites, being satisfied and intoxicated with a foolish confidence in their own righteousness, do not consider the purpose for which Christ was... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:13

Verse 13 13.But rather go and learn He dismisses and orders them to depart, because he saw that they were obstinate and unwilling to learn. Or rather he explains to them, that they are contending with God and the Prophet, when, in pride and cruelty, they are offended at relief which is given to the wretched, and at medicine which is administered to the sick. This quotation is made from Hosea 6:6 : For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt-offerings. The... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:14

Verse 14 Matthew 9:14.Then come to him the disciples of John. Luke represents the Pharisees as speaking: Mark appears to connect both. And, indeed, there is no room to doubt that the Pharisees maliciously endeavored, by this stratagem, to draw the disciples of John to their party, and to produce a quarrel between them and the disciples of Christ. A resemblance in prayers and fastings was a plausible pretext for associating at this time: while the different manner in which Christ acted was an... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:15

Verse 15 15.Can the children of the bridegroom mourn? Christ apologizes for his disciples on the score of the season, alleging that God was still pleased to indulge them in joyous feelings, as if they were present at a marriage: for he compares himself to the bridegroom, who enlivens his friends by his presence. Chrysostom thinks that this comparison was taken from the testimony of John the Baptist, He that hath the bride is the bridegroom, (John 3:29.) I have no objection to that view, though... read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:5

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:6

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:8

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:9

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:11

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:12

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:13

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:14

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 9:15

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