John Calvin Commentary Matthew 24

And Jesus went out. The disciples undoubtedly perceived that Christ was paying, as it were, his last farewell to the temple. It remained, therefore, that he should erect a new temple far more magnificent, and that he should produce a more flourishing condition of the kingdom, as had been foretold by the Prophets. For he had nothing to do with that temple, in which everything was opposed to him.

But again, the disciples could not believe that the magnificent splendor of the temple would give way to Christ. It ought to be carefully observed that, owing to the prodigious costliness of the temple, their eyes were so dazzled by the splendor of its present aspect, that they could scarcely entertain the hope that the kingdom of Christ would arise.

They do not, indeed, in express terms acknowledge their hesitation, but they tacitly throw out a suggestion of it when they allege, in opposition to Christ, the mass of stones which must be got out of the way, and which must indeed be utterly laid low if he intended to reign.

Many simple persons of our own day are carried away by a similar admiration of Popery; for, perceiving it to be supported by very great wealth and by immense power, they are filled with absolute amazement, so as to despise a Church of mean and slovenly aspect. Many even think that we are mad in laboring to effect its destruction, as if this were nothing less than an attempt to draw down the sun out of heaven.

And yet, there is no reason to wonder that a spectacle so imposing held the disciples of Christ in astonishment; for the great expense that building cost Herod may be concluded from the single fact that he kept ten thousand workmen employed on it for eight successive years.

Nor is it without reason that they admire the stones which, Josephus tells us, were superlatively beautiful, and were fifteen¹²⁵ cubits in length, twelve in height, and eight in breadth. Besides, so great was the reverence entertained for the temple even in remote districts, that scarcely any person would venture to suppose that it could ever be destroyed.

Verily I say to you. As the vast size and wealth of the temple, like a veil hung before the eyes of the disciples, did not permit them to elevate their faith to the true reign of Christ, which was still future, so he affirms with an oath that those things which occupy their attention will quickly perish. This prediction of the destruction of the temple, therefore, opened a path for the ignorant and weak.¹²⁶

Now, though it was advantageous that the temple should be destroyed, so that its services and shadows would not exercise an undue influence on the Jews, who were already too much attached to earthly elements, yet the chief reason was that God determined, by this dreadful example, to take vengeance on that nation for having rejected his Son and despised the grace brought by him.

Therefore, this threat must have deterred the disciples from siding with a rebellious people. In the same way, the punishments Scripture denounces against the wicked should now deter us from those crimes which provoke the wrath of God.

Everything Scripture tells us, even about the fading and transitory aspect of the world, should correct the vanity of our senses, which too eagerly follow pomp, and luxury, and pleasure.

But especially, what Scripture declares concerning the fearful destruction of Antichrist and his followers should remove every obstacle which hinders us from pursuing the right course of faith.

And Jesus answering said to them. They received an answer very different from what they had expected. For while they were eager for a triumph, as if they had already finished their warfare, Christ exhorts them to long patience. As if he had said, “You wish to seize the prize at the very outset, but you must first finish the course. You would draw down to earth the kingdom of God, which no one can obtain until he ascends to heaven.”

Now, this chapter contains admonitions highly useful for regulating the course of our life. We see that, by a wonderful purpose of God, the mistake into which the apostles fell is made to turn to our advantage. The sum of the present instruction is that the preaching of the Gospel is like sowing the seed, and therefore we should wait patiently for the time of reaping. It also teaches that it arises from improper softness or weakness if we lose courage because of the frost, snow, clouds of winter, or other unpleasant seasons.

Take heed lest any man deceive you. There are two charges which Christ expressly gives to the disciples: to beware of false teachers, and not to be terrified by scandals. By these words He gives warning that His Church, as long as its pilgrimage in the world lasts, will be exposed to these evils. But they might be inclined to think that this was inconsistent, since the prophets gave a widely different description of the future reign of Christ. Isaiah predicts that all will then be taught of God (Isaiah 54:13). The words of God are:

I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy;
your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams,
(Joel 2:28).

A still more abundant light of understanding is promised by Jeremiah.

No longer shall any man teach his neighbor, nor a man his brother, saying, Know the Lord; for all shall know me from the least to the greatest, (Jeremiah 31:34).

And, therefore, we do not need to wonder if the Jews expected that when the Sun of righteousness had arisen, as Malachi had predicted (Malachi 4:2), they would be entirely free from every cloud of error. Hence, also, the woman of Samaria said,

When the Messiah cometh, he will teach us all things,
(John 4:25).

Now we know what splendid promises of peace, righteousness, joy, and abundance of all blessings, are to be found everywhere in Scripture. We do not, therefore, need to wonder if they expected that, at the coming of Christ, they would be delivered from commotions of war, from extortions and every kind of injustice, and, in short, from famine and pestilence.

But Christ warns them that false teachers will from now on cause no less trouble to the godly than false prophets gave to the ancient people, and that disturbances will be not less frequent under the Gospel than they formerly were under the Law.

This is not to say that those prophecies I have just mentioned will fail to be accomplished, but rather that their full accomplishment does not immediately appear in one day. For it is enough that believers now obtain a taste of those blessings, so as to cherish the hope of their full enjoyment at a future period.

And, therefore, they were greatly mistaken who wished to have at the commencement of the Gospel an immediate and perfect exhibition of those things which we see accomplished from day to day.

Besides, that happiness which the prophets ascribe to the reign of Christ, though it cannot be altogether annihilated by human depravity, is retarded or delayed by it. It is true that the Lord, in contending with human malice, opens up a way for His blessings through every obstacle. Indeed, it would be unreasonable to suppose that what is founded on the undeserved goodness of God, and does not depend on the will of man, should be set aside because of their fault.

Yet, so that they may receive some punishment for their ingratitude, He bestows His favors upon them in small measure, which would otherwise flow to them in the richest abundance. Hence arises a labyrinth of evils, through which believers wander all their lives, though they are pursuing the straight road to salvation, having Christ for their guide, who holds out to them the torch of His Gospel.

Hence arises a multitude of combats, so that they have a hard warfare, though there is no danger of their being vanquished. Hence arise disturbances so numerous and so sudden that they are kept in perpetual uneasiness, though, resting on Christ, they remain firm to the end.

And since Christ enjoins His disciples to beware of deceptions, let us know that the means of defense will not be lacking, provided that they are not negligent themselves.¹²⁷ Therefore, whatever schemes Satan may employ, let us entertain no doubt that we shall be safe from them, if every one of us keeps diligent watch over his own station.