John Calvin Commentary Luke 2:11

"for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord." — Luke 2:11 (ASV)

This day is born to you. Here, as we recently mentioned, the angel expresses the cause of the joy. This day is born the Redeemer promised long ago, who would restore the Church of God to its proper condition. The angel does not speak of it as a thing entirely unknown.

He opens his message by referring to the Law and the Prophets. For if he had been addressing pagans or irreligious people, it would have been useless to employ this way of speaking: this day is born to you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. For the same reason, he mentions that He was born in the city of David, which would serve no purpose except to recall those promises that were widely known among the Jews. Lastly, the angel adapted his message to hearers who were not entirely unfamiliar with the promised redemption. With the doctrine of the Law and the Prophets, he joined the Gospel, as originating from the same source.

Now, since the Greek word, Greek, as Cicero assures us, has a broader meaning than the Latin word Servator, and as there is no Latin noun that fully corresponds to it, I considered it better to employ a term that might be deemed less classical, rather than diminish the power of Christ. And I have no doubt that the author of the Vulgate, and the ancient doctors of the Church, had the same intention.¹⁵⁰ Christ is called Savior,¹⁵¹ because He bestows a complete salvation.

The pronoun to you¹⁵² is very emphatic, for it would have given little delight to hear that the Author of salvation was born, unless each person believed that He was born for them. In the same manner Isaiah says, Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given (Isaiah 9:6); and Zechariah, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee lowly (Zechariah 9:9).

¹⁵⁰ He refers to his use of the Latin word Salvator, for which there is no classical authority. The apology may be deemed unnecessary; but Calvin was entitled to be more sensitive on this point than many modern scholars. The purity of his style discovers so perfect an acquaintance with the writers of the Augustan age, that it must have given him uneasiness to depart from their authorized terms. He pleads high authority for the liberty he had taken. Cicero, whose command of the resources of his native tongue will not be questioned, acknowledges that there is no Latin word which conveys the full import of the Greek word σωτ́ηρ, and in this, as well as many other instances, calls in the aid of a richer and more expressive language than his own. — for which there is no classical authority. The apology may be deemed unnecessary; but Calvin was entitled to be more sensitive on this point than many modern scholars. The purity of his style discovers so perfect an acquaintance with the writers of the Augustan age, that it must have given him uneasiness to depart from their authorized terms. He pleads high authority for the liberty he had taken. Cicero, whose command of the resources of his native tongue will not be questioned, acknowledges that there is no Latin word which conveys the full import of the Greek word σωτ́ηρ, and in this, as well as many other instances, calls in the aid of a richer and more expressive language than his own. — Ed.

¹⁵¹ “Salvator.”

¹⁵² “Au reste, ce n'est pas sans cause que ce mot Vous est adjouste: et il est bien a poiser. Car il ne serviroit gueres de savoir que le Sauveur est nay, sinon qu'un chacun appliquast cela a sa personne, s'asseurant que c'est pour lui qu'est nay le Fils de Dieu.” — “Besides, it is not without reason that this word .” — “Besides, it is not without reason that this word You is added; and it is well to weigh it. For it would hardly be of service to know that the Savior is born, unless each applied that to his own person, being persuaded that it is for him that the Savior is born.”is added; and it is well to weigh it. For it would hardly be of service to know that the Savior is born, unless each applied that to his own person, being persuaded that it is for him that the Savior is born.”