John Calvin Commentary Luke 4:16

"And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and he entered, as his custom was, into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up to read." — Luke 4:16 (ASV)

And he came to Nazareth. The Evangelists are very careful to show by what sort of proofs Christ became known, a striking instance of which is here related by Luke. By explaining a passage in Isaiah, and applying it to the instruction which was immediately required, he turned the eyes of all upon him.

He entered, according to his custom, into the synagogue. From this we conclude that not only did he address the people in the open streets and highways, but, as far as he had opportunity, observed the usual order of the church. We see also that, though the Jews had become very degenerate, though everything was in a state of confusion, and the condition of the church was miserably corrupted, one good thing still remained: they read the Scriptures publicly, and took the opportunity from them to teach and admonish the people.

This also makes it evident what was the true and lawful method of keeping the Sabbath. When God commanded his people to abstain from working on that day, it was not so that they might give themselves up to idle rest, but, on the contrary, that they might apply themselves to meditating on his works. Now, the minds of men are naturally blind to the consideration of his works, and must therefore be guided by the rule of Scripture. Though Paul includes the Sabbath in an enumeration of the shadows of the law (Colossians 2:16), yet, in this respect, our manner of observing it is the same as that of the Jews: the people must assemble to hear the word, for public prayers, and for the other exercises of religion. It was for this purpose that the Jewish Sabbath was succeeded by the Lord’s Day.

Now, if we make a comparison of dates, this passage will be sufficient to prove clearly that the corruptions of the Papal Hierarchy, in our own time, are more shocking and detestable than those which existed among the Jews under the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas.

For the reading of Scripture, which was then in use, has not only become obsolete under the Pope, but is driven from the churches by fire and sword, with this exception: that such portions of it, as they think proper, are chanted by them in an unknown tongue.

Christ rose up to read, not only so that his voice might be better heard, but as a sign of reverence: for the majesty of Scripture deserves that its interpreters should make it clear that they approach handling it with modesty and reverence.