John Calvin Commentary Matthew 21:37

"But afterward he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son." — Matthew 21:37 (ASV)

They will reverence my son. Strictly speaking, indeed, this thought does not apply to God, for He knew what would happen and was not deceived by the expectation of a more agreeable result; but it is customary,⁴⁷ especially in parables, to ascribe human feelings to Him. Yet this was not added without reason, for Christ intended to represent, as in a mirror, how deplorable their impiety was. It was an all too clear proof of this impiety that they rose in diabolical rage against the Son of God, who had come to bring them back to a sound mind.⁴⁸

Just as they had formerly, as far as it was in their power, driven God from his inheritance by the cruel murder of the prophets, so it was the crowning point of all their crimes to slay the Son, so that they might reign as in a house that lacked an heir. Certainly, the chief reason the priests raged against Christ was that they might not lose their tyranny, which could be called their prey;⁴⁹ for he is the one by whom God chooses to govern, and to whom He has given all authority.

The Evangelists also differ a little in the conclusion. For Matthew relates that he drew from them the confession by which they condemned themselves, while Mark says simply that Christ declared what punishment must await servants so unprincipled and wicked. Luke differs, at first sight, more openly, by saying that they turned away with horror from the punishment which Christ had threatened. But if we examine the meaning more closely, there is no contradiction; for, regarding the punishment such servants deserved, there can be no doubt that they agreed with Christ, but when they perceived that both the crime and the punishment were being applied to themselves, they objected to this application.

⁴⁷ “C’est la coustume de l’Escriture;” — “it is the custom of Scripture.”;” — “it is the custom of Scripture.”

⁴⁸ “Qui estoit venu pour les retirer de leurs meschantes façons de faire;” — “who had come to withdraw them from their wicked courses of life.”;” — “who had come to withdraw them from their wicked courses of life.”

⁴⁹ “Pource qu’ils avoyent peur de perdre la proye; c’est a dire, de dimineur quelque chose de leur tyrannie;” — “because they were afraid of losing the prey; that is to say, of diminishing something of their tyranny.”;” — “because they were afraid of losing the prey; that is to say, of diminishing something of their tyranny.”