John Calvin Commentary 2 Corinthians 3:14

"but their minds were hardened: for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remaineth, it not being revealed [to them] that it is done away in Christ." — 2 Corinthians 3:14 (ASV)

Their understandings were blinded. He lays the whole blame upon them, since it was because of their blindness that they did not make any progress in the doctrine of the law. He afterwards adds, That veil remains even to this day. By this he means that this dullness of vision was not for a single hour merely, but foreshadowed what the condition of the nation would be in the future. “That veil with which Moses covered his face when publishing the law was the emblem of a spiritual dullness that would come upon those people and would continue upon them for a long period. Thus, to this day, when the law is preached to them, in hearing they hear not, and in seeing they see not (Matthew 13:13).

There is no reason, however, why we should be troubled, as though some new thing had happened (1 Peter 4:12).

God has shown long ago under the type of the veil that it would be so. However, so that no blame would attach to the law, he again repeats that their hearts were covered with a veil.

And it is not removed, because it is done away through Christ. He assigns a reason why they remain so long in blindness in the midst of light. For the law is in itself bright, but it is only when Christ appears to us in it that we enjoy its splendor.

The Jews turn away their eyes as much as they can from Christ. Therefore, it is not to be wondered if they see nothing, since they refuse to behold the sun.

This blindness on the part of the chosen people, especially as it has continued for so long, admonishes us not to be lifted up with pride, relying on the benefits that God has conferred upon us.

This point is discussed in Romans 11:20. However, let the reason for this blindness deter us from contempt of Christ, which God so grievously punishes. In the meantime, let us learn that without Christ, the Sun of righteousness (Malachi 4:2), there is no light even in the law or in the whole word of God.