Matthew 23

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 23:4

Verse 4 4.For they bind heavy and intolerable burdens. He does not charge the scribes with oppressing and tyrannizing over souls by harsh and unjust laws; for, though they had introduced many superfluous ceremonies — as is evident from other passages — yet Christ does not at present refer to that vice, because his design is, to compare right doctrine with a wicked and dissolute life. That the Law of God should be called a heavy and intolerable burden is not wonderful, and more especially in... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 23:5

Verse 5 5.And all their works they do that they may be seen by men. He had lately said that the scribes live very differently from what they teach; but now he adds that, if they have any thing which is apparently good, it is hypocritical and worthless, because they have no other design than to please men, and to vaunt themselves. And here zeal for piety and a holy life is contrasted with the mask of those works which serve no purpose but for ostentation; for an upright worshipper of God will... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 23:6

Verse 6 6And love the first places at entertainments.. He proves, by evident signs, that no zeal for piety exists in the scribes, but that they are wholly devoted to ambition. For to seek the first places and the first seats belongs only to those who choose rather to exalt themselves among men, than to enjoy the approbation of God. But above all, Christ condemns them for desiring to be called masters; for, though the name Rabbi in itself denotes excellence, yet at that time the prevailing... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 23:9

Verse 9 9.And call no man on earth your Father. He claims for God alone the honor of Father, in nearly the same sense as he lately asserted that he himself is the only Master; for this name was not assumed by men for themselves, but was given to them by God. And therefore it is not only lawful to call men on earth fathers, but it would be wicked to deprive them of that honor. Nor is there any importance in the distinction which some have brought forward, that men, by whom children have been... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 23:10

Verse 10 10.For one is your Master, even Christ. He repeats a second time the former statement about Christ’s office as Master, in order to inform us that the lawful order is, that God alone rule over us, and possess the power and authority of a Father, and that Christ subject all to his doctrine, and have them as disciples; as it is elsewhere said, that Christ is the only head of the whole Church, (Ephesians 1:22) because the whole body ought to be subject to him and obey him. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 23:11

Verse 11 11.He who is greatest among you. By this conclusion he shows that he did not, after the manner of the sophists, dispute about words, but, on the contrary, looked to the fact, that no man, through forgetfulness of his rank, might claim more than was proper. He therefore declares that the highest honor in the Church is not government, but service. Whoever keeps himself within this limit, whatever may be the title which he bears, takes nothing away either from God or from Christ; as, on... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 23:13

Verse 13 Matthew 23:13.You shut up the kingdom of heaven. Christ pronounces a curse on them, because they pervert their office to the general destruction of the whole people; for since the government of the Church was in their hands, they ought to have been, as it were, porters for the kingdom of heaven. What purpose is served by religion and holy doctrine but to open heaven to us? For we know that all mankind are banished from God, and excluded from the inheritance of eternal salvation. Now... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 23:14

Verse 14 14.For you devour widows’ houses. He now proceeds farther, for he not only accuses them of open crimes which demand hatred and detestation, but even tears away the disguises of virtues, by which they deceived the common people. If it be objected, that there was no need of reproving those things which could do no harm by their example, we ought to recollect that it was impossible to promote the salvation of those who were held bound by the errors of the scribes, unless they turned away... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 23:15

Verse 15 15.For you compass sea and land. The scribes had also acquired celebrity by their zeal in laboring to bring over to the Jewish religion the strangers and uncircumcised. And so, if they had gained any one by their false appearances, or by any other stratagem, they gloried wonderfully over it as an increase of the Church. On this account also they received great applause from the common people, that by their diligence and ability they brought strangers into the Church of God. Christ... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 23:16

Verse 16 Matthew 23:16.Woe to you, blind guides, As ambition is almost always connected with hypocrisy, so the superstitions of the people are usually encouraged by the covetousness and rapacity of pastors. The world has, indeed, a natural propensity to errors, and even draws down upon itself, as if on purpose, every kind of deceit and imposture; but improper modes of worship come to gain a footing only when they are confirmed by the rulers (100) themselves. And it generally happens, that those... read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 23:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 23:5

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 23:6

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 23:9

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 23:10

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 23:11

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 23:13

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 23:14

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 23:15

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 23:16

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