John Calvin Commentary John 12:48

"He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I spake, the same shall judge him in the last day." — John 12:48 (ASV)

He who rejects me. So that wicked men may not flatter themselves as if their unbounded disobedience to Christ would pass unpunished, he adds here a dreadful threatening: that even if he were to do nothing in this matter, his doctrine alone would be sufficient to condemn them. This is similar to what he says elsewhere: that there would be no need for any other judge than Moses, in whom they boasted (John 5:45).

The meaning, therefore, is: “Burning with ardent desire to promote your salvation, I do indeed abstain from exercising my right to condemn you, and am entirely employed in saving what is lost. But do not think that you have escaped from the hands of God; for though I should altogether hold my peace, the word alone, that you have despised, is sufficient to judge you.”

And receives not my words. This latter clause is an explanation of the former. For since hypocrisy is natural to men, nothing is easier for them than to boast in words that they are ready to receive Christ; and we see how common this boasting is even among the most wicked men. We must therefore attend to this definition: that Christ is rejected when we do not embrace the pure doctrine of the Gospel.

Papists, indeed, loudly proclaim this word that Christ uttered; but as soon as his pure truth is brought forward, nothing is more hateful to them. Such persons kiss Christ in the same manner as Judas kissed him (Matthew 26:49). Let us therefore learn to receive him along with his word, and to render to him the homage and obedience that he demands as his sole right.

The word which I speak shall judge you at the last day. It is impossible to give a nobler or more magnificent title to the Gospel than to ascribe to it the power of judging. For, according to these words, the last judgment will be nothing else than an approval or ratification of the doctrine of the Gospel. Christ himself will indeed ascend the tribunal, but he declares that he will pronounce the sentence according to the word that is now preached. This threatening ought to strike deep terror into the ungodly, since they cannot escape the judgment of that doctrine that they now so haughtily disdain.

But when Christ mentions the last judgment, he means that they are now destitute of understanding, for he reminds them that the punishment that they now treat with mockery will then be openly displayed.

On the other hand, it yields an invaluable consolation to the godly: that to whatever extent they may now be condemned by the world, they still do not doubt that they are already acquitted in heaven. For, wherever the faith of the Gospel has its seat, the tribunal of God is erected to save.

Relying on this right, we need not trouble ourselves about Papists or their absurd decisions, for our faith rises even above angels.