John Calvin Commentary Matthew 26:64

"Jesus said unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Henceforth ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven." — Matthew 26:64 (ASV)

Thou hast said it. Luke inserts another reply, by which Christ reproves the malice of the priests for not inquiring with a desire to know. If I tell you, says he, you will not believe: by which words he means that, though he were to prove to them a hundred times that he was the Christ, it would be of no avail with obstinate men.

For they had not only heard, but had also seen with their eyes miracles which, though Christ had been silent, would have confirmed his heavenly and divine power, and would even have cried aloud that he was the promised Redeemer.

He next adds a confession, which, though related in many words by Matthew, does not convey a different meaning. Jesus affirms that he is the Christ, not to avoid death, but rather to inflame the rage of his enemies against him.

Though at that time he was exposed to contempt and almost annihilated by his humble attire, he announces that at the proper time he will finally come with royal majesty, so that they may tremble before the Judge, whom they now refuse to acknowledge as the Author of salvation.

The meaning, therefore, is that they are widely mistaken if they judge him by his present appearance. It is necessary that he should be humbled and almost reduced to nothing before he appears adorned with the emblems of his royal power and with magnificent splendor.

For by this word hereafter he distinguishes between his first and second coming.

We may draw from this a useful doctrine, which is still more extensive. For how is it that wicked men are so much at their ease? How is it that they are so insolent in rebellion, if not because they do not set a high value on the crucified Jesus?

It is therefore necessary to remind them of a dreadful judgment, which, with all their stupidity, they will not be able to avoid. And though they ridicule as a fable what is said about the future coming of Christ, still it is not in vain that the Judge summons them to his tribunal and orders them to be summoned by the preaching of the Gospel, so that they may be rendered more inexcusable.

But this announcement is also of great use to believers, so that with the eyes of hope they may now look for Christ sitting at the right hand of the Father, and patiently wait until he comes. They can also believe that the rage of wicked men against him, while he is absent, will not be without its consequences.

For they will be compelled to behold him on high coming from heaven, whom they now not only despise but even trample upon in their pride.

Sitting at the right hand of power. The metaphor contained in the term right hand must be well known, as it frequently occurs in Scripture. Christ then sits at the right hand of the Father because he is his deputy; and it is called the right hand or power, because it is only through the agency of his Son that God now displays his power and will execute judgment at the last day.