John Calvin Commentary Luke 13:2

"And he answered and said unto them, Think ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they have suffered these things?" — Luke 13:2 (ASV)

Do you imagine? etc. This passage is highly useful, if only because this disease is almost natural to us: to be too rigorous and severe in judging others, and too much disposed to flatter our own faults. The consequence is that we not only censure with excessive severity the offenses of our fellow believers, but whenever they meet with any calamity, we condemn them as wicked and reprobate persons.

On the other hand, everyone who is not sorely pressed by the hand of God slumbers at ease in the midst of his sins, as if God were favorable and reconciled to him. This involves a double fault. When God chastises anyone before our eyes, He warns us of His judgments, so that each of us may examine himself and consider what he deserves. If He spares us for a time, we are so far from having a right to take such kindness and forbearance as an opportunity for slumber that we ought to regard it as an invitation to repentance.

To correct the false and cruel judgment which we are accustomed to pass on those who are suffering grievously, and, at the same time, to shake off the indulgence which each person cherishes towards himself, He shows, first, that those who are treated with severity are not the most wicked of all people; because God administers His judgments in such a manner that some are instantly seized and punished, while others are permitted to remain long in the enjoyment of ease and luxury. Secondly, He declares that all the calamities that happen in the world are so many demonstrations of the wrath of God; and from this we learn what a terrible destruction awaits us,²⁷⁸ if we do not avert it.

The immediate occasion for this exhortation was that some told Him that Pilate had mingled human blood with sacrifices, so that such a shocking event might bring sacrifices into abhorrence. Since it is probable that this outrage was committed on the Samaritans, who had departed from the pure service of the Law, the Jews would easily and readily be disposed to condemn the Samaritans and, by doing so, to applaud themselves. But our Lord applies it to a different purpose.

Since that whole nation was hated and detested by them on account of ungodliness, He poses the question: “Do you imagine that those unfortunate people, who have been put to death by Pilate, were worse than others? You are perfectly aware that the country is full of ungodly people, and that many who deserved the same punishment are still alive.” He is a blind and wicked judge who decides about the sins of all people by the punishments they now endure. It is not always the most wicked person who is first dragged to punishment; but when God selects a few out of a large number to be punished, He holds out in their case a warning that He will take vengeance on the rest, so that all may be alarmed.

Having spoken of the Samaritans, He now approaches more closely to the Jews themselves. Eighteen men had at that time been killed by the fall of a tower in Jerusalem. He declares that those men were not more wicked than others, but that their death was held out to all as a cause for alarm; for if God gave a display of His judgment in them, others, though they might be spared for a time, would likewise not escape His hand. Christ does not, however, forbid believers to consider attentively the judgments of God, but enjoins them to observe this order: to begin with their own sins. They will thus obtain the highest advantage, for they will avert God’s chastisements by voluntary repentance. To the same purpose is the warning which Paul gives:

Let no man deceive you with vain words; for on account of these things the wrath of God cometh against the rebellious, (Ephesians 5:6)

²⁷⁸ “Dont nous avons a penser quelle punition et damnation nous sentirons;”— “by which we are led to consider what punishment and condemnation we shall receive.”;”— “by which we are led to consider what punishment and condemnation we shall receive.”