John Calvin Commentary Luke 7
John Calvin Commentary
Luke 7
John Calvin Commentary
Luke 7
"for he loveth our nation, and himself built us our synagogue." — Luke 7:5 (ASV)
For he loveth our nation—this was, no doubt, a commendation given him by the Jews on account of his piety:501 for his love of a nation universally hated could proceed only from zeal for the Law, and from reverence for God. By building a synagogue, he showed plainly that he favored the doctrine of the Law. The Jews had therefore good grounds for saying that, as a devout worshipper of God, he had claims on Christ for receiving such a favor.
They reveal, at the same time, a marvelous stupidity in admitting, by their own acknowledgment, that a Gentile possesses that grace of God which they despise and reject. If they consider Christ to be the minister and dispenser of the gifts of God, why do they not receive the grace offered to them before bringing foreigners to enjoy it?
But hypocrites never fail to manifest such carelessness and presumption, as not to hesitate to look upon God as under some sort of obligations to them, and to dispose of his grace at their pleasure, as if it were in their own power; and then, when they are satisfied with it, or rather because they do not deign to taste it, they treat it as useless and leave it to others.
501 “Il n’ y a point de doute que les Juifs recommandent cest homme pour l'affection et le bon zele qu'il avoit a la crainte de Dieu.” — “There is no doubt that the Jews recommend this man for the affection and the good zeal which he had for the fear of God.”.” — “There is no doubt that the Jews recommend this man for the affection and the good zeal which he had for the fear of God.”
"And it came to pass soon afterwards, that he went to a city called Nain; and his disciples went with him, and a great multitude." — Luke 7:11 (ASV)
And it happened, that he went into a city. In all the miracles of Christ, we must pay attention to the rule that Matthew lays down. We should know, therefore, that this young man, whom Christ raised from the dead, is an emblem of the spiritual life which he restores to us.
The name of the city contributes to the certainty of the history. The same purpose is served by what Luke says, that a great multitude from every direction followed him: for Christ had many attendants along with him, and many persons accompanied the woman, as a mark of respect, to the interment of her son.
The resurrection of the young man was beheld by so many witnesses, that no doubt could be entertained as to its truth. There was the additional circumstance of its being a crowded place, for we know that public assemblies were held at the gates. That the dead man was carried out of the city was in accordance with a very ancient custom among all nations.
Jerome says that, in his time, the city of Nain was still in existence, two miles below Mount Tabor, in a southerly direction.
"Now when he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, there was carried out one that was dead, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her." — Luke 7:12 (ASV)
The only son of his mother. The reason which led Christ to restore the young man to life was that He saw the widow deprived of her only son, and had compassion on her: for He did not hold back His favor until someone requested it, as He did on other occasions; but anticipated the prayers of all, and restored the son to his mother, by whom nothing of this sort was expected. We have here a striking emblem of His freely bestowed compassion in raising us from death to life. By touching the coffin, perhaps He intended to show that He would by no means shrink from death and the grave in order to obtain life for us. He not only condescends to touch us with His hand, in order to quicken us when we are dead, but, so that He might raise us to heaven, He Himself descends into the grave.
"And he came nigh and touched the bier: and the bearers stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise." — Luke 7:14 (ASV)
Young man, I say to you. By this word Christ proved the truth of the saying of Paul, that God calls those things which are not, as they were (Romans 4:17). He addresses the dead man and makes himself be heard, so that death is suddenly changed into life.
We have here, firstly, a striking emblem of the future resurrection, as Ezekiel is commanded to say, O you dry bones, hear the word of the Lord (Ezekiel 37:4). Secondly, we are taught in what manner Christ quickens us spiritually by faith. It is when he infuses into his word a secret power, so that it enters into dead souls, as he himself declares:
The hour comes, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God,
and they who hear shall live (John 5:25).
"And fear took hold on all: and they glorified God, saying, A great prophet is arisen among us: and, God hath visited his people." — Luke 7:16 (ASV)
And fear seized all. A sense of the divine presence must have brought fear along with it, but there is a difference between the kinds of fear: unbelievers either tremble and are dismayed, or, struck with alarm, murmur against God, while devout and godly persons, moved by reverence, willingly humble themselves. Fear, therefore, is here taken in a good sense, because they gave the honor that was due to the power of God which they had witnessed, and rendered to God not only homage but also thanksgiving.
God hath visited his people. I understand this to refer not to every kind of visitation, but to that which would restore them to their original condition. Not only were the affairs of Judea in a depressed state, but they had sunk under a wretched and frightful slavery, as if God were not looking at them. The only remaining hope was that God had promised to be their Redeemer, after they had endured very heavy calamities.
I have no doubt, therefore, that they were excited by the miracle to expect an approaching restoration to prosperity; yet they fell into a mistake regarding the nature of the visitation. Though they acknowledged and celebrated the unusual grace of God in this respect, that a great Prophet hath risen up among us, this praise still falls very far short of the dignity and glory of the promised Messiah. Hence, it appears that the faith of that people was, at this time, exceedingly confused and involved in many unfounded imaginations.
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