John Calvin Commentary Matthew 14:34

"And when they had crossed over, they came to the land, unto Gennesaret." — Matthew 14:34 (ASV)

They came into the country of Gennesareth. The Evangelists give that designation to the country which borrowed its name from the lake, though it is uncertain if it was not rather the name of the country that was bestowed on the lake; but that is a matter of little consequence. Our chief business is to attend to the purpose which the Evangelists have in view. It is to show that the glory of Christ was attested not by one or by another miracle, but that this part of Judea was filled with innumerable proofs of it, the report of which might easily be carried to Jerusalem and to other towns in every direction.

Hence we infer that singularly base and wicked must have been the ingratitude of that nation which wickedly shut its eyes from perceiving and even endeavored, as far as it could, to extinguish the brightness of the divine glory which was exhibited before them.

Our present business is to perceive, amidst so large an assemblage of miracles, the reason why Christ came, which was that he might offer himself as a physician to heal all the diseases of all men.³⁸⁷ For we must bear in mind what Matthew had formerly quoted from the Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 53:4), that in healing bodies he foreshadowed something greater, namely, that he restores our souls to health, and that it is his specific office to remove spiritual diseases.³⁸⁸

He is not now an inhabitant of the earth; but it is certain that, now that he is in heaven, he is authorized to bestow those favors of which he then exhibited a visible proof. Now, as we labor under every kind of disease until he heals us, let each of us not only present himself to him but also endeavor to bring others who need the same remedy.

That they might touch the fringe. There is reason to believe that they were under the influence of some superstition when they limited the grace of Christ to a touch of his robe; at least, they defrauded him of a part of his honor, since they did not expect any efficacy³⁸⁹ to be derived from his mere word. But so that he might not quench the smoking flax (Isaiah 42:3), he accommodated himself to their ignorance.

Yet there is nothing here that supports the views of those who seek the grace of God in wood, or nails, or robes, while Scripture expressly declares that we have no right to conceive of Christ except in a way that is spiritual and consistent with his heavenly glory. The weakness of those who, not knowing that Christ is God, desired to make a nearer approach to him, was endured for a time. Now that he fills heaven and earth with the sweet savor of his grace, we must embrace—not with hands or eyes, but by faith—the salvation which he offers to us from heaven.

³⁸⁷ “En guairissant toutes sortes de maladies en toutes personnes;” — “by healing all kinds of diseases in all persons.”;” — “by healing all kinds of diseases in all persons.”

³⁸⁸ See Harmony, vol. 1, p. 251..

³⁸⁹ “Veu qu’ils n’esperoyent point de sentir aucun secours de sa vertu;” — “since they did not hope to experience any relief from his power.”;” — “since they did not hope to experience any relief from his power.”