John Calvin Commentary Matthew 12:16

"and charged them that they should not make him known:" — Matthew 12:16 (ASV)

And he threatened them. The expression used by Mark conveys, in an even more pointed manner, that he restrained the unclean spirits,⁸⁹ who were exclaiming, Thou art the Son of God. We have previously explained the reason why he did not choose to have such witnesses.⁹⁰

And yet there is no room to doubt that divine power extorted this confession from the devils. However, having made it evident that they were subject to his dominion, Christ properly rejected their testimony.

But Matthew goes further and states that Christ commanded them not to spread the fame of the miracles he was performing. This was not because he wished that fame to be wholly repressed (as we have pointed out on other occasions,⁹¹).

Rather, he intended to allow it to strike root, so that it might bring forth abundant fruit at the proper season.

We know that Christ did not perform miracles for amusement, but had a distinct object in view: to prove that he was the Son of God and the appointed Redeemer of the world.

But he was manifested gradually, and by regular steps, and was not revealed in his true character until the time appointed by the Father, (Galatians 4:2).

At the same time, it deserves our attention that when wicked men do their utmost to extinguish the glory of God, they are so far from achieving their aim that, on the contrary, God turns their rebellious designs in the opposite direction. Though Christ withdrew from a populous district, yet in this very concealment⁹² his glory continues to shine, and even bursts forth magnificently into its full splendor.

⁸⁹ “A scavoir qu’il menacoit et faisoit taire les esprits immondes;”— “namely, that he threatened and silenced the unclean spirits.”;”— “namely, that he threatened and silenced the unclean spirits.”

⁹⁰ Harmony, volume 1 p. 246..

⁹¹ Harmony, volume 1, pp. 374, , 418..

⁹² “Toutesfois mesmes en ceste cachete, (par maniere de dire; ”)—”yet even in this hiding place, (so to speak.”);”)—”yet even in this hiding place, (so to speak.”)