John Calvin Commentary Matthew 12:30

"He that is not with me is against me, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth." — Matthew 12:30 (ASV)

He that is not with me. There are two ways of explaining this passage. Some suppose that it is an argument drawn from contraries, and that Christ’s meaning is: “I cannot reign until the devil is overthrown; for the object of all his attempts is, to scatter whatever I gather.” And certainly we see abundant evidence of the earnestness with which that enemy labors to destroy the kingdom of Christ.

But I rather agree with those who explain it to denote that the scribes are declared to be, in two respects, opposed to the kingdom of God, because they intentionally hinder its progress. “It was your duty to assist me, and to give me your hand in establishing the kingdom of God; for whoever does not assist is, in some measure, opposed to me, or, at least, deserves to be reckoned among enemies. What then shall be said of you, whose furious rage drives you into avowed opposition?”¹²⁶

And he that gathereth not with me scattereth. The truth of this is abundantly manifest from what has already been said, for so strong is our propensity to evil that the justice of God can have no place except in those who earnestly apply themselves to it.

This doctrine has an even wider application and implies that those who do not use all the means in their power are unworthy to be considered as belonging to the flock of Christ. Their indolence tends to hinder and ruin the kingdom of God, which all of us are called to advance.

¹²⁶ “A batailler ouvertement contre Dieu;” — “to fight openly against God.”;” — “to fight openly against God.”