John Calvin Commentary John 5:43

"I am come in my Father`s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive." — John 5:43 (ASV)

Regarding the statement, I have come in my Father’s name, the false prophets do indeed boast of this title, as the Pope, today, boasts openly that he is Christ’s Deputy or Vicar; and under this very disguise Satan has deceived wretched people from the beginning. But Christ here means the reality, and not a hypocritical pretense. For when He testifies that He has come in His Father’s name, He means not only that the Father has sent Him, but that He faithfully executes the commission He has received.

By this mark He distinguishes the lawful teachers of the Church from spurious and pretended teachers. This passage, therefore, teaches that we ought boldly to reject all who exalt themselves and, in their own name, claim authority over souls; for anyone who desires to be considered a servant of God ought to have nothing separate from God. Now, if the whole doctrine of the Pope is examined, even the blind will see that he has come in his own name.

If another come in his own name, him you will receive. Christ proves by this argument that the Jews do not love God and have no reverence for Him, because they will eagerly receive the false prophets while they refuse to obey God. For He takes for granted that it is a sign of a wicked and ungodly mind when people disregard truth and willingly assent to falsehoods.

If it is objected that this is generally done more through ignorance than through malice, the answer is easy. No one is exposed to the impostures of Satan, except to the extent that, through some wicked disposition, they prefer falsehood to truth. For why is it that we are deaf when God speaks, and that Satan finds us ready and active, but because we are averse to righteousness and of our own accord desire iniquity?

However, it should be observed that here Christ speaks chiefly of those whom God specially enlightened, as He bestowed on the Jews this privilege, that, having been instructed in His Law, they might keep the right way of salvation. It is certain that such persons listen to false teachers for no other reason than because they wish to be deceived. Accordingly, Moses says that when false prophets arise, this is intended to prove and try the people, if they love the Lord their God (Deuteronomy 13:3).

In many persons, no doubt, there appears to be an innocent and guileless simplicity, but their eyes are undoubtedly blinded by the hypocrisy which lurks within their minds. For it is certain that God never shuts the door to those who knock (Matthew 7:8) and never disappoints those who sincerely pray to Him (Isaiah 45:19). Therefore, Paul justly ascribes it to the vengeance of God, when the power of deceiving is given to Satan, that they who have rejected the truth, and taken pleasure in unrighteousness, may believe a lie, and says that they perish who did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved (2 Thessalonians 2:9, 12).

In this way, the hypocrisy of many is discovered—many who, devoted to the impostures and wicked superstitions of the Pope, burn with venomous rage against the Gospel. For if they had hearts disposed to the fear of God, that fear would likewise produce obedience.