John Calvin Commentary Matthew 27:63

"saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said while he was yet alive, After three days I rise again." — Matthew 27:63 (ASV)

We remember that that impostor said. This thought was suggested to them by divine inspiration, not only that the Lord might execute upon them just vengeance for their wickedness (as he always punishes bad consciences by secret torments), but chiefly to restrain their unholy tongues.

Yet we again perceive what insensibility seizes wicked men when they are bewitched by Satan. They go so far as to call him an impostor, whose divine power and glory were lately manifested by so many miracles.

This certainly was not to defy the clouds, but, so to speak, to spit in the face of God by ridiculing the brightness of the sun. Such examples show us that we ought, with pious and modest thoughtfulness, to direct our attention early to the glory of God when it is presented to our view, so that our hardness of heart may not lead us to brutal and dreadful blindness.

Now, although it may appear strange and absurd for wicked men to indulge in such wicked mockery over Christ when dead, so that our minds may not be rendered uneasy by this licentiousness, we ought always to wisely consider the purpose to which the Lord turns it.

Wicked men imagine that they will overwhelm the whole doctrine of Christ, together with his miracles, by that single blasphemy which they haughtily vomit out; but God employs no other persons than themselves to vindicate his Son from all blame of imposture.

Whenever these wicked men labor to overturn everything with their slanders, and unleash unmeasured slander, let us wait with composure and tranquility of mind until God brings light out of darkness.