John Calvin Commentary John 12:49

"For I spake not from myself; but the Father that sent me, he hath given me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak." — John 12:49 (ASV)

For I do not speak from myself. So that the outward appearance of a man would not lessen the majesty of God, Christ frequently directs us to the Father. This is why He so often mentions the Father. Indeed, since it would be unlawful to transfer even a single spark of the divine glory to another, the word, to which judgment is ascribed, must have proceeded from God.

Christ distinguishes Himself from the Father here, not simply in His divine person, but rather in His flesh, so that the doctrine would not be judged according to human standards and therefore carry less weight. But if consciences were subject to the laws and doctrine of men, this argument of Christ would not apply: “My word (He says) will judge, because it has not proceeded from man,” according to that saying,

There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy (James 4:12).

We may also infer from this how monstrous is the sacrilege of the Pope in daring to bind souls by his inventions. For in this way he claims more for himself than the Son of God does, who declares that He does not speak only by the commandment of His Father.