John Calvin Commentary Luke 10:24

"for I say unto you, that many prophets and kings desired to see the things which ye see, and saw them not; and to hear the things which ye hear, and heard them not." — Luke 10:24 (ASV)

Many Prophets and Kings have desired to see. The condition of the Church today is justly considered preferable to that of the holy fathers who lived under the Law, because to them was shown, only through shadows and figures, what is now openly revealed in the shining face of Christ. The veil of the temple being rent (Matthew 27:51), we enter by faith into the heavenly sanctuary and are freely permitted to approach God.

Although the fathers were satisfied with their lot and enjoyed a blessed peace in their own minds, yet this did not prevent their desires from extending farther. Thus, Abraham saw the day of Christ from afar, and rejoice (John 8:56), and yet longed to enjoy a nearer view, but did not obtain his wish. Simeon spoke the sentiments of all,¹⁹¹ when he said, Now you send your servant away in peace (Luke 2:29). And indeed, under the burden of that curse by which the human race is crushed, it was impossible for them to be anything but entirely inflamed with the desire for a promised deliverance.¹⁹² Let us therefore learn that they yearned for Christ like hungry persons, and yet possessed a serene faith, so that they did not murmur against God but kept their minds in patient expectation until the full time of revelation.

¹⁹¹ “Simeon disoit selon l’affection de tours les Peres;” — “Simeon spoke according to the feeling of all the Fathers.”;” — “Simeon spoke according to the feeling of all the Fathers.”

¹⁹² “Et de faict, il ne se pouvoit faire que ces bons personnages ne fussent tous ravis, et comme enflambez d’un grand desir de la delivrance promise.” — “And indeed it was impossible that those good men should not be altogether transported, and as it were inflamed with a great desire of the promised deliverance.”.” — “And indeed it was impossible that those good men should not be altogether transported, and as it were inflamed with a great desire of the promised deliverance.”