John Calvin Commentary Matthew 26:54

"How then should the scriptures be fulfilled that thus it must be?" — Matthew 26:54 (ASV)

How then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled? By this expression Christ means that he should not attempt any method of escaping death, to which he knew that he was called by the Father. For himself, indeed, he had no need of the Scriptures to inform him that God had appointed that he should die at that time; but because mortals do not know what God has determined to do until it is revealed by his word, Christ, for the sake of his disciples, properly refers to the testimony that God gave of his will.

We know that whatever affliction happens to us, it is inflicted by God himself. However, since we are uncertain about the result, when we seek remedies that he allows, we do not rise against his governance. But when his will has been ascertained, nothing more remains for us than to acquiesce.

Although in this passage Christ teaches nothing more than that he should patiently suffer death because the Scriptures have declared that it must be so, yet the use of this doctrine is evidently more extensive. Namely, Scripture is a sufficient bridle for subduing the rebellion of the flesh, because God points out to us what his will is, for the very purpose of keeping us in subjection to his will.

Accordingly, Paul ascribes to Scripture this office: that it trains us to patience (Romans 15:4) and supplies us with all the comfort that we need in adversity. His reproof of the disciples, as given by Luke, is more brief, Permit them to do thus far; yet he still severely condemns their presumption in having gone so far as to perform an unlawful action, though at the same time he holds out a hope of pardon if they suppress their improper zeal and proceed no further.