John Calvin Commentary Luke 7:36

"And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he entered into the Pharisee`s house, and sat down to meat." — Luke 7:36 (ASV)

And one of the Pharisees requested him. This narrative shows the fault-finding disposition—a tendency not only to take offense but also to seek it out—which was demonstrated by those who did not understand the office of Christ.

A Pharisee invites Christ; from this, we infer that he was not one of those who furiously and violently opposed Christ, nor of those who arrogantly despised Christ’s doctrine.

But however mild he might have been, he is immediately offended when he sees Christ graciously receive a woman who, in his opinion, should not have been allowed to approach or speak with him. Consequently, he rejects him as a prophet, because he does not recognize him as the Mediator, whose unique office it was to bring miserable sinners into a state of reconciliation with God.

It was something, no doubt, to give Christ the honor due to a prophet. However, he should also have inquired for what purpose Christ was sent, what he brought, and what commission he had received from the Father.

Overlooking the grace of reconciliation—which was the primary characteristic to be sought in Christ—the Pharisee concluded that he was not a prophet. And certainly, if this woman had not obtained the forgiveness of her sins and a new righteousness through the grace of Christ, she should have been rejected.

Simon’s mistake is simply this: not considering that Christ came to save what was lost, he rashly concludes that Christ does not distinguish between the worthy and the unworthy.

So that we do not share in this dislike, let us learn:

1. That Christ was given as a Deliverer to miserable and lost men,²³⁹ and to restore them from death to life.
2. That everyone should examine themselves and their lives; then we will not wonder that others are admitted along with us, for no one will dare to place themselves above others.

It is hypocrisy alone that leads people to be careless about themselves²⁴⁰ and haughtily to despise others.

²³⁹ “Que Christ a este donne pour liberateur au genre humain, miserable et perdu;” — “that Christ was given as a deliverer to the human race, miserable and lost.”;” — “that Christ was given as a deliverer to the human race, miserable and lost.”

²⁴⁰ “Qui fait que les hommes se me cognoissent;” — “which makes men forget themselves.”;” — “which makes men forget themselves.”