John Calvin Commentary Luke 23

And Pilate said to the chief priests and scribes. As Christ had come to bear the punishment of our sins, it was proper that he should first be condemned by the mouth of his judge, so that it might afterwards be evident that he was condemned for the sake of others, and not for his own.

But as Pilate, from a dread of inciting a tumult, did not venture to acquit him absolutely, he willingly took advantage of the opportunity that presented itself, of submitting him to the jurisdiction of Herod. This Herod was the one who bore the surname Antipas, to whom the tetrarchy of Galilee had been left, when Archelaus was a prisoner at Vienna, and when Judea had been annexed to the province of Syria.

Now although we will shortly afterwards find Luke relating that this mark of respect pacified Herod, who had formerly been enraged against Pilate, still his design was not so much to obtain Herod’s favor as to rid himself of a disagreeable affair under an honorable excuse, and thus to avoid the necessity of condemning Christ.

And when Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad. From this it is evident how greatly wicked men are intoxicated, or rather bewitched, by their own pride; for though Herod did not acknowledge Christ as the Son of God, he at least regarded him as a prophet. It was therefore a most unreasonable cruelty to take pleasure in seeing him treated with contempt and disdain. But, as if an injury had been done to him for as long as he had not seen Christ, when he now sees him placed in his power, Herod triumphs as if he had won a victory.

We also see what kind of love is cherished by wicked and irreligious men for prophets, in whom the power of God shines brightly. Herod had long wished to see Christ. Why then did he not wish to hear him, so that he might benefit from his teaching? It was because he preferred to amuse himself by beholding the divine power, rather than to view it, as he should have, with devout and humble reverence.

And this is the disposition of the flesh: to desire to see God in his works, yet not submit to his authority; to desire to see his servants, yet refuse to hear God speaking through them. Even Herod, though he hoped that some miracle would be performed by Christ, chose to have him placed at his feet as a wrongdoer rather than to receive him as a teacher. We should not be surprised, therefore, if God conceals his glory from wicked men, who wanted him to contribute to their amusement, like some actor.

And Herod despised him. It was inevitable that a haughty man, who valued himself on his luxuries, royal dignity, and wealth, would despise Christ, who at that time had nothing but what was contemptible in his appearance.

And yet the pride of Herod, which shut the door on the grace of God, admits of no excuse. Nor can it be doubted that God, in order to punish him for his former indifference, purposely hardened his heart by such a spectacle. For he was unworthy of beholding in Christ any ray of heavenly glory, since he had so long shut his eyes on the full brightness by which his whole country had been illuminated and adorned.

Herod, with his attendants. Luke relates not only that Christ was despised by Herod, but that he was despised by Herod's entire retinue. This is intended to inform us that the honor due to God is seldom rendered to him in the courts of kings.

For almost all courtiers, being addicted to pompous display, have their senses preoccupied by such great vanity that they carelessly despise, or pass by with closed eyes, the spiritual favors of God.

But by this contempt of Christ we have acquired new dignity, so that we are now held in estimation by God and by angels.

²⁵⁵ “Ne se souciant pas fort de le retenir;” — “without giving themselves much concdn about keeping him in their possession.”;” — “without giving themselves much concdn about keeping him in their possession.”

²⁵⁶ “Ainsi aujourd’huy, comme ainsi soit que s’il est question de quelques brigans ou autres malfaiteurs, les juges avisent de pres à maintenir leur jurisdiction, et en debatent fort et ferme les uns contre les autres, les enfans de Dieu sont par eux jettez là avec desdain, en sorte qu’il semble qu’ils en jouent à triquoter entr’eux.” — “Thus in the present day, when a dispute happens to arise about some robbers or other malefacors, the judges are exceedingly attentive to maintain their jurisdiction, and debate about it keenly and warmly between themselves, while the children of God are thrown aside by them with disdain, so that they appear to amuse themselves with it by playing tricks on each other.”.” — “Thus in the present day, when a dispute happens to arise about some robbers or other malefacors, the judges are exceedingly attentive to maintain their jurisdiction, and debate about it keenly and warmly between themselves, while the children of God are thrown aside by them with disdain, so that they appear to amuse themselves with it by playing tricks on each other.”

²⁶² “Les Gouverneurs deputez de par l’Empereur de Rome;” — “the Governors appointed by the Emperor of Rome.”;” — “the Governors appointed by the Emperor of Rome.”

²⁶³ “Pleust à Dieu.”.”

²⁶⁴ “Entre les juges, la plus grand’ part ne demandent pas mieux que de servir de bourreaux pour executer la rage des supposts de l’Antechrist.” — “Among the judges, the greater part ask nothing better than to act as hangmen to execute the rage of the supporters of Antichrist.”.” — “Among the judges, the greater part ask nothing better than to act as hangmen to execute the rage of the supporters of Antichrist.”