Matthew 22

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 22:11

Verse 11 Matthew 22:11.And the king, having come in to see the guests. Here Christ does not reproach the Jews with having wickedly despised the grace and calling of God; but gives early warning to those who would be placed in their room, not to pollute with their filth the holy marriage, when God shall bestow upon them admission to his table. Hitherto he has taught that the Jews, on account of their ungodly and disdainful conduct, would be deprived of the peculiar honor and privilege which they... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 22:14

Verse 14 14.For many are called, but few are chosen. The object of the parable is pointed out by the conclusion, that few are chosen, though many are called; from which we infer, that we ought not to attempt an ingenious explanation of every minute clause. But lately, Christ did not threaten that the greater part would be thrown out, but mentioned one man only; and now we learn from him, that out of a large number few will be retained. And certainly, though in the present day a more numerous... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 22:15

Verse 15 Matthew 22:15.That they might entrap him in his words. The Pharisees, perceiving that all their other attempts against Christ had been fruitless, at length concluded that the best and most expeditious method of destroying him was, to deliver him to the governor, as a seditious person and a disturber of the peace. There was at that time, as we have seen under another passage, (59) a great disputing among the Jews about the tribute-money; for, since the Romans had claimed for themselves... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 22:16

Verse 16 16.Master, we know that thou art true. This is the righteousness which they counterfeit, when they offer humble subjection to Christ, as if they were desirous to learn, and as if they not only had some relish for piety, but also were fully convinced of his doctrine; for if what they said had been from the heart, this would have been true uprightness. And therefore from their words we may obtain a definition of a good and faithful teacher, such as they pretended to believe Christ to be.... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 22:18

Verse 18 18.Knowing their malice. They had opened the conversation in such a manner that they did not appear to differ at all from excellent scholars. Whence then had Christ this knowledge, but because his Spirit was a discerner of hearts? It was not by human conjecture that he perceived their cunning, but because he was God he penetrated into their hearts, and therefore they gained nothing by attempting the concealment of flattery and of pretended righteousness Accordingly, before giving a... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 22:19

Verse 19 19.Show me the tribute-money. When Christ orders them to bring forward a coin, though at first sight it appears to be of no great importance, yet it is sufficient for breaking their snares. In this way they had already made an acknowledgment of subjection, so that Christ did not find it necessary to enjoin upon them any thing new. The coin was stamped with Caesar’s likeness; and thus the authority of the Roman government had been approved and admitted by the general practice. Hence it... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 22:21

Verse 21 21.Render therefore to Caesar those things which are Caesar’s. Christ reminds them that, as the subjection of their nation was attested by the coin, there ought to be no debate on that subject; as if he had said, “If you think it strange to pay tribute, be not subjects of the Roman Empire. But the money (which men employ as the pledge of mutual exchanges) attests that Caesar rules over you; so that, by your own silent consent, the liberty to which you lay claim is lost and gone.”... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 22:22

Verse 22 22They wondered at him. Here, too, it appears how God turns to a different purpose the wicked attempts of His enemies, and not only disappoints their expectation, but even drives them back with disgrace. It will sometimes happen, no doubt, that wicked men, though vanquished, do not cease to growl; but, though their insolence be not subdued, however numerous may be their assaults on the Word of God, there is an equal number of victories which God has in his hand, to triumph over them... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 22:23

Verse 23 Matthew 22:23.The same day came to him the Sadducees. We see here how Satan brings together all the ungodly, who in other respects differ widely from each other, to attack the truth of God. For, though deadly strife existed between these two sects, (66) yet they conspire together against Christ; so that the Pharisees are not displeased to have their own doctrine attacked in the person of Christ. Thus in the present day, we see all the forces of Satan, though in other respects they are... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 22:24

Verse 24 24.Master, Moses said. As it was enough to mention the bare fact, why do they make use of this preface? They cunningly employ the name of Moses, for the purpose of proving that they were lawful marriages, which had been contracted not by the will of men, but by the command and appointment of God himself. But that God should contradict Himself is impossible. Their sophistry therefore is this: “If God shall one day collect believers into His kingdom, He will restore whatever He had given... read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 22:11

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 22:14

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 22:15

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 22:16

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 22:18

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 22:19

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 22:21

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 22:22

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 22:23

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 22:24

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