John Calvin Commentary Mark 12

Master, you have spoken well, and with truth. Mark alone mentions that the scribe was softened down; and it is worthy of notice that, though he had attacked Christ maliciously and with the intention of taking him by surprise, not only does he silently yield to the latter, but openly and candidly assents to what Christ had said. Thus we see that he did not belong to the class of those enemies whose obstinacy is incurable; for, though they have been a hundred times convinced, yet they do not cease to oppose the truth in some manner.

From this reply it may also be concluded that Christ did not precisely include under these two words the rule of life, but embraced the opportunity which presented itself for reproving the false and hypocritical holiness of the scribes, who, giving their whole attention to outward ceremonies, almost entirely disregarded the spiritual worship of God, and cared little about brotherly kindness. Now, though the scribe was infected by such corruptions, yet, as sometimes happens, he had obtained from the Law the seed of right knowledge, which lay choked in his heart, and on that account he easily allows himself to be withdrawn from the wicked custom.

Is better than all burnt-offerings and sacrifices. But it appears incongruous that sacrifices, which are a part of divine worship and belong to the first table of the Law, should be considered less important than love for others.

The reply is that although the worship of God is greatly preferable, and is more valuable than all the duties of a holy life, yet its outward exercises ought not to be valued so highly as to overshadow brotherly kindness.

For we know that brotherly kindness, in and of itself, is pleasing to God, though sacrifices are not regarded by him with delight or approval, except with a view to another purpose.

Besides, it is naked and empty sacrifices that are spoken of here, for our Lord contrasts a hypocritical appearance of piety with true and sincere uprightness. The same doctrine is found very frequently in the prophets, that hypocrites may know that sacrifices are of no value unless spiritual truth is joined to them, and that God is not appeased by animal sacrifices when brotherly kindness is neglected.

But when Jesus saw. Whether this scribe made any further progress is uncertain; but as he had shown himself to be teachable, Christ reaches out His hand to him. By His example, He teaches us that we should assist those in whom there is any beginning of teachableness or of right understanding.

There appear to have been two reasons why Christ declared that this scribe was not far from the kingdom of God: first, because he was easily persuaded to do his duty, and second, because he skillfully distinguished the outward worship of God from necessary duties.

Christ's declaration that he was near the kingdom of God was not so much intended to praise him as to exhort him. Through this scribe, Christ encourages us all, after having once entered the right path, to proceed with all the greater cheerfulness.

By these words, we are also taught that many, while they are still held and involved in error, advance with closed eyes toward the road. In this manner, they are prepared to run in the Lord's course when the time arrives.

And after that, no one ventured to ask him a question. The assertion of the Evangelists that the mouths of adversaries were stopped, so that they did not venture any more to lay snares for Christ, must not be understood as if they desisted from their wicked obstinacy. For they groaned inwardly, like wild beasts confined in their dens, or, like unruly horses, they bit the bridle.

But the more hardened their obstinacy and the more incorrigible their rebellion, all the more illustrious was Christ’s triumph over both. This victory, which He obtained, should greatly encourage us never to become dispirited in the defense of the truth, being assured of success.

Indeed, it will often happen that enemies will molest and insult us until the end, but God will eventually ensure that their fury recoils on their own heads, and that, in spite of their efforts, truth will be victorious.

¹²² “Selon le prix qu’il vaut au monde;” — “according to the price at which it is estimated by the world.”;” — “according to the price at which it is estimated by the world.”

¹²³ “De Crœsus, lequel on dit avoir esté si riche;” — “of Crœsus, who is said to have been so rich.” — The allusion is to ;” — “of Crœsus, who is said to have been so rich.” — The allusion is to Crœsus, King of Lydia, whose vast wealth was a proverb among the Greeks and Romans. — King of Lydia, whose vast wealth was a proverb among the Greeks and Romans. — Ed.