John Calvin Commentary Matthew 16:20

"Then charged he the disciples that they should tell no man that he was the Christ." — Matthew 16:20 (ASV)

Having given a proof of his future glory, Christ reminds his disciples of what he must suffer, so that they also may be prepared to bear the cross; for the time was near when they must enter into the contest, for which he knew them to be not at all equal, if they had not been strengthened by fresh courage. And first of all, it was necessary to inform them that Christ must begin his reign, not with gaudy display, not with the magnificence of riches, not with the loud applause of the world, but with an ignominious death.

But nothing was harder than to rise above such an offense, particularly if we consider the opinion which they firmly held concerning their Master, for they imagined that he would obtain for them earthly happiness. This unfounded expectation held them in suspense, and they eagerly looked forward to the hour when Christ would suddenly reveal the glory of his reign. So far were they from having ever considered the ignominy of the cross, that they considered it completely unsuitable for him to be placed in any circumstances from which he did not receive honor.⁴⁵⁹

To them it was a distressing occurrence that he should be rejected by the elders and the scribes, who held the government of the Church; and from this we may readily conclude that this admonition was highly necessary. But as the bare mention of the cross must, of necessity, have caused heavy distress to their weak minds, he quickly heals the wound by saying that on the third day he will rise again from the dead.

And certainly, as there is nothing to be seen in the cross but the weakness of the flesh until we come to his resurrection, in which the power of the Spirit shines brightly, our faith will find no encouragement or support. In the same way, all ministers of the Word who desire that their preaching may be profitable should be exceedingly careful that the glory of his resurrection should always be exhibited by them in connection with the ignominy of his death.

But we naturally wonder why Christ refuses to accept as witnesses the Apostles, whom he had already appointed to that office. For why were they sent, if not to be the heralds of that redemption which depended on the coming of Christ?

The answer is not difficult, if we keep in mind the explanations I have given on this subject:

1. That they were not appointed teachers for the purpose of bearing full and certain testimony to Christ, but only to gather disciples for their Master—that is, to induce those who were too overcome by laziness to become teachable and attentive.

2. And that their commission was temporary, for it ended when Christ himself began to preach.

As the time of his death was now near, and as they were not yet fully prepared to testify to their faith—but, on the contrary, were so weak in faith that their confession of it would have exposed them to ridicule—the Lord instructs them to remain silent until others have acknowledged him to be the conqueror of death, and until he has endowed them with increased firmness.

⁴⁵⁹ “Que rien luy peust advenir qui ne fust honorable et magnifique;” — “that any thing should happen to him which was not honorable and magnificent.”;” — “that any thing should happen to him which was not honorable and magnificent.”