John Calvin Commentary Mark 3:6

"And the Pharisees went out, and straightway with the Herodians took counsel against him, how they might destroy him." — Mark 3:6 (ASV)

The Pharisees took counsel with the Herodians. Now they regarded the Herodians with the fiercest hatred; for their eagerness to be considered the guardians and protectors of public liberty made it necessary for them to make an open profession of mortal hatred toward the ministers of that tyrant. Yet this aversion is counteracted by their hatred and fury against Christ,⁸⁸ which makes them not only enter into a conspiracy with foreigners but also insinuate themselves into the good graces of those with whom, on other occasions, they would have shrunk from interaction.

While ungodliness hurries men in various directions and drives them to different courses, it engages them, with one consent, in a contest with God. No hostilities prevent them from uniting to oppose the truth of God.

⁸⁸ “Toutesfois la haine enragee qu’ils ont contre Christ, surmonte toutes leurs autres meschantes affections;” — “and yet the enraged hatred which they have against Christ rises above all their other wicked dispositions.”;” — “and yet the enraged hatred which they have against Christ rises above all their other wicked dispositions.”