John Calvin Commentary Matthew 2:4

"And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ should be born." — Matthew 2:4 (ASV)

Having assembled the priests—Although deep silence prevailed concerning Christ in Herod's Hall, yet, as soon as the Magi spoke of a King, predictions that had previously been forgotten were remembered. Herod instantly surmises that the King about whom the Magi were inquiring is the Messiah whom God had previously promised (Daniel 9:25). Here again, it appears that Herod is seriously alarmed when he makes such earnest inquiries, and it is no wonder. All tyrants are cowards, and their cruelty produces stronger alarm in their own hearts than in the hearts of others. Herod must have trembled more than others because he perceived that he was reigning in opposition to God.

This new investigation shows that the contempt of Christ, before the arrival of the Magi, must have been very deep. At a later period, the scribes and high priests furiously labored to corrupt the whole of Scripture, so that they might not give any support to Christ. But on the present occasion, they reply honestly from Scripture, because Christ and His Gospel have not yet troubled them. And so, all ungodly people find no difficulty in giving their assent to God on general principles; but when God's truth begins to press them more closely, they give vent to the venom of their rebellion.

We have a striking instance of this in our own day among those who adhere to the Papacy. They freely acknowledge that He is the only-begotten Son of God, clothed in our flesh, and acknowledge the one person of the God-man, as subsisting in two natures.

But when we come to the power and office of Christ, conflict immediately erupts, because they will not consent to accept a lower rank, much less to be reduced to nothing. In short, as long as wicked people think it is not diminishing themselves, they will grant God and Scripture some degree of reverence. But when Christ comes into direct conflict with their ambition, covetousness, pride, misplaced confidence, hypocrisy, and deceit, they immediately forget all modesty and erupt in rage. Let us therefore learn that the chief cause of blindness in the enemies of truth is to be found in their wicked desires, which turn light into darkness.