John Calvin Commentary Matthew 19:18

"He saith unto him, Which? And Jesus said, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness," — Matthew 19:18 (ASV)

You shall not murder. It is surprising that, though Christ intended to show that we are bound to obey the whole law, he mentioned the second table only. He did so because the disposition of everyone is better ascertained from the duties of charity. Piety towards God, no doubt, holds a higher rank; ⁶²³ but since the observance of the first table is often feigned by hypocrites, the second table is better suited for making a scrutiny. ⁶²⁴

Let us know, therefore, that Christ selected those commandments in which a proof of true righteousness is contained; but by a synecdoche he takes a part for the whole. Regarding his placing the commandment about honoring parents last, it is of no consequence, for he paid no attention to the regular order. Yet it is worthy of notice that this commandment is declared to belong to the second table, so that no one may be led astray by the error of Josephus, who thought that it belonged to the first table. ⁶²⁵ What is added at the end, You shall love your neighbor, contains nothing different from the former commandments but is a general explanation of them all.

The young man says to him. The law must have been dead to him when he vainly imagined that he was so righteous. For if he had not flattered himself through hypocrisy, it would have been excellent advice for him to learn humility and to contemplate his spots and blemishes in the mirror of the law. But, intoxicated with foolish confidence, he fearlessly boasts that he has discharged his duty properly from his childhood. Paul acknowledges that the same thing happened to himself: as long as the power of the law was unknown to him, he believed that he was alive; but after he knew what the law could do, a deadly wound was inflicted on him (Romans 7:9). So the reply of Christ, which follows, was suited to the man’s disposition. And yet Christ does not demand anything beyond the commandments of the law; but, as the mere recital had not affected him, Christ employed other words to detect the hidden disease of avarice.

I confess that we are nowhere commanded in the law to sell all; but as the design of the law is to bring people to self-denial, and as it expressly condemns covetousness, we see that Christ had no other object in view than to correct the false conviction of the young man. ⁶²⁶ For if he had known himself thoroughly, as soon as he heard the mention of the law, he would have acknowledged that he was liable to the judgment of God. But now, when the mere words of the law do not sufficiently convince him of his guilt, the inward meaning is expressed by other words. If Christ now demanded anything beyond the commandments of the law, he would be at variance with himself. He just now taught that perfect righteousness is comprehended in the commandments of the law. How then will it agree with this to charge the law with deficiency? Besides, the protestation of Moses (Deuteronomy 30:15), which I previously quoted, would be false.

⁶²³ “Vray est qu’entre les commandemens ceux qui parlent de la recognoissance que nous devons a Dieu tienent le premier degre;” — “it is true that, among the commandments, those which speak of the acknowledgment which we owe to God hold the first rank.”;” — “it is true that, among the commandments, those which speak of the acknowledgment which we owe to God hold the first rank.”

⁶²⁴ “A faire examen pour cognoistre les personnes;” — “to make a scrutiny for knowing persons.”;” — “to make a scrutiny for knowing persons.”

⁶²⁵ Josephus says that there were five on each table, from which it must be inferred, that he considered the Fifth commandment as belonging to the First Table. His words are: , from which it must be inferred, that he considered the Fifth commandment as belonging to the First Table. His words are: He showed them the two tables,, with the ten commandments engraven upon them,, Five upon each table; ; and the writin was byy the hand of God. — . — (Ant. 3. 6, . 3. 6, 8..) — — Ed..

⁶²⁶ “La fausse persuasion et presomption de ee ieune homme;” — “the false conviction and presumption of this young man.”;” — “the false conviction and presumption of this young man.”