John Calvin Commentary Genesis 22:4

"On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off." — Genesis 22:4 (ASV)

And saw the place. He saw, indeed, with his eyes, the place which had previously been shown him in secret vision. But when it is said that he lifted up his eyes, Moses doubtless indicates that he had been very anxious during the whole of the three days.

In commanding his servants to remain behind, he does it so that they might not lay their hands on him, as on a delirious and insane old man. And in this his magnanimity appears, that he keeps his thoughts so well composed and tranquil as to do nothing in an agitated manner.

When, however, he says that he will return with the boy, he does not seem to be free from dissimulation and falsehood. Some think that he uttered this declaration prophetically; but since it is certain that he never lost sight of what had been promised concerning the raising up of seed in Isaac, it may be that he, trusting in the providence of God, imagined his son as surviving even in death itself. And since he went, as if with closed eyes, to the slaughter of his son, there is nothing improbable in the supposition that he spoke confusedly in a matter so obscure.