John Calvin Commentary Luke 7:35

"And wisdom is justified of all her children." — Luke 7:35 (ASV)

And Wisdom is justified. This passage is explained in various ways by commentators. Some maintain that Wisdom was acquitted by the Jews because, conscious of guilt and as judges of their own unbelief, they were compelled to acknowledge that the doctrine they rejected was good and holy. By the children of Wisdom, they understand the Jews who boasted of that title. Others think that it was spoken in irony: "Is it in this way that you approve of the Wisdom of God, of which you boast that you are the children?" But as the Greek preposition ἀπό²⁷ does not properly relate to an agent, some explain that Wisdom is acquitted by her children and is no longer under obligation to them, just as when an inheritance is transferred to another. Thus Paul says that Christ was justified (δεδικαίωται) from sin (Romans 6:7), because the curse of sin no longer had any power over him.

Some interpret it more harshly, and with excessive freedom, to mean that Wisdom is estranged from her children. But even if this were the meaning of the Greek preposition, I regard the other meaning as more appropriate: namely, that Wisdom, however wickedly she may be slandered by her own sons, loses nothing of her worth or rank but remains unimpaired. The Jews, and particularly the scribes, claimed to be children of the Wisdom of God; and yet, when they trampled their mother underfoot, they not only flattered themselves in such heinous sacrilege but also desired Christ to fall by their decision. Christ maintains, on the contrary, that however wicked and depraved her children may be, Wisdom remains entire, and the malice of those who wickedly and malignantly slander her does not diminish her authority.

I have not yet presented the meaning that seems to my own mind the most appropriate and natural. First, Christ’s words contain an implied contrast between true children and bastards, who hold only an empty title without the reality. They mean this: “Let those who haughtily boast of being the children of Wisdom proceed in their obstinacy; she will, nevertheless, retain the praise and support of her own children.” Accordingly, Luke adds a term of universality, all her children, which means that the reluctance of the scribes will not prevent all the elect of God from remaining steadfast in the faith of the Gospel.

Regarding the Greek word ἀπό, it undoubtedly sometimes has the same meaning as ὑπό. Not to mention other instances, there is a passage in Luke 17:25 where Christ says that he must suffer many things, καὶ ἀποδοκιμασθὢναι ἀπὸ τὢς γενεᾶς ταύτης, and be rejected by this generation.²⁸ Everyone will admit that the form of expression is the same as in the corresponding clause. Besides, Chrysostom, whose native language was Greek, passes over this matter as if there were no room for debate.

Not only is this meaning more appropriate, but it also corresponds to a former clause in which it was said that God was justified by the people (Luke 7:29). Although many apostates may revolt from the Church of God, yet among all the elect, who truly belong to the flock, the faith of the Gospel will always remain uninjured.

²⁷ “Le mot Grec que nous avons rendu par De;” — “the Greek word which we have translated ” — “the Greek word which we have translated by.”

²⁸ “On void bien que la ce mot De se rapporte a la personne qui fait, et non pas a celuy qui souffre;” — “It is very evident that the word ;” — “It is very evident that the word By relates to the person that acts, and not to him who suffers.” relates to the person that acts, and not to him who suffers.”