John Calvin Commentary Matthew 10:1

"And he called unto him his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of disease and all manner of sickness." — Matthew 10:1 (ASV)

The calling of the Apostles is here described to us, not as on a former occasion, when the Lord Jesus Christ, intending to prepare them for their office, selected them for admission into his private circle. They are now called to immediate performance, are ordered to prepare themselves for the work, receive injunctions, and, so that there may be no lack of authority, are endowed with the power of the Holy Spirit. Formerly, they were held in expectation of future labor; now, Christ announces that the hour has come when they must put their hands to the work.

It is proper to observe, however, that he does not yet speak of perpetual apostleship, but only of temporary preaching, which was designed to awaken and excite the minds of people, so that they might be more attentive to hear Christ. So then, they are now sent to proclaim throughout Judea that the time of the promised restoration and salvation is near. At a future period, Christ will appoint them to spread the Gospel through the whole world.

Here, he employs them as assistants only, to secure attention to him where his voice could not reach. Afterwards, he will commit into their hands the office of teaching which he himself had performed. It is very important to observe this, so that we do not mistake the instructions our Lord gives to the preachers of his doctrine—concerning what he wishes them to do for a short time—for a certain and fixed rule laid down for all ministers of the Word. Due to inattention to this point, many have been led astray, so as to demand from all ministers of the Word, without distinction, conformity to this rule.⁵⁶⁷

And having called the twelve disciples. The number twelve, was intended to indicate the future restoration of the Church. As the nation was descended from twelve patriarchs, so its scattered remains are now reminded by Christ of their origin, so that they may cherish a steadfast hope of being restored.

Although the kingdom of God was not in such a flourishing state in Judea as to preserve the nation entire—but, on the contrary, that people, who had already miserably fallen, doubly deserved to die on account of their ingratitude in despising the grace that had been offered to them—yet this did not prevent a new nation from springing up afterwards.

At a future period, God extended the scepter of his Son’s power far beyond Zion and caused rivers to flow from that fountain, to water abundantly the four quarters of the world. Then God assembled his Israel from every direction and united into one body not only the scattered and torn members, but also people who had formerly been entirely alienated from the people of God.

It was not without reason, therefore, that the Lord, by appointing, as it were, twelve patriarchs, declared the restoration of the Church. Besides, this number reminded the Jews of the purpose of his coming; but, as they did not yield to the grace of God, he begot for himself a new Israel.

If you look at the beginnings, it might appear ridiculous that Christ should bestow such honorable titles on persons who were lowly and of no reputation; but their astonishing success, and the wide extension of the Church, make it evident that, in honorable rank and in numerous offspring, the apostles not only are not inferior to the patriarchs, but greatly excel them.

Gave them power. The apostles had almost no rank among people, while the commission Christ gave them was divine. Besides, they had neither ability nor eloquence, while the excellence and novelty of their office required more than human endowments.⁵⁶⁸

It was therefore necessary that they should derive authority from another source. By enabling them to perform miracles, Christ invests them with the badges of heavenly power, in order to secure the confidence and veneration of the people.

And from this we may infer what is the proper use of miracles. Since Christ gives them, at the same time and in immediate connection, the appointment to be preachers of the gospel and ministers of miracles, it is clear that miracles are nothing other than seals of his doctrine; therefore, we are not free to dissolve this close connection.

The Papists, therefore, are guilty of forgery and of wickedly corrupting the works of God by separating his word from miracles.

⁵⁶⁷ “Voulant reigler indifferemment tous ministres de la parole selon ee qui est ici dk;” — “wishing to regulate indiscriminately all ministers of the word according to what is here said.”;” — “wishing to regulate indiscriminately all ministers of the word according to what is here said.”

⁵⁶⁸ “Et cependant une charge si excellente et nouvelle requeroit des graces plus grandes qu'on n'en pent trouver en l'homme;” — “and yet an office so excellent and new demanded higher graces than can be found in man.”;” — “and yet an office so excellent and new demanded higher graces than can be found in man.”