John Calvin Commentary Matthew 3:6

"and they were baptized of him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins." — Matthew 3:6 (ASV)

Matthew 3:6; Mark 1:5. And were baptized, confessing their sins: this confession was a testimony of repentance: for, as the Lord, in the sacraments, commits himself to us, as if he had given his own written pledge, so it is our duty, in turn, to respond to him. In Baptism, he declares that our sins are forgiven and calls us to repentance. So that people may come forward properly to be baptized, confession of sins is required of them; otherwise, the whole performance would be nothing but an idle mockery²⁵⁴.

It should be noted that we are here speaking of adults, who, we are aware, should not be admitted indiscriminately into the Church, or introduced by Baptism into the body of Christ,²⁵⁵ until they have first been examined.²⁵⁶

Therefore, it is obvious how absurdly this passage has been tortured by the Papists to support auricular confession. There were no priests present in whose ears each individual might privately mutter²⁵⁷ his sins; nor is it said that they listed all their sins; nor are we told that John gave his disciples a regular rule for confession. Even if we grant the Papists all that they ask, confession will belong to catechumens alone,²⁵⁸ and will have no place after Baptism. In any case, the law which they prescribe for confession after Baptism finds no support in John’s example.²⁵⁹

²⁵⁴ “Autrement, tout ce sainct mystere seroit tournee en mines et bas-tellerie.” — “Otherwise, all this holy mystery would be turned into grimaces and buffoonery.”.” — “Otherwise, all this holy mystery would be turned into grimaces and buffoonery.”

²⁵⁵ “En la communion de Christ;” — “into communion ;” — “into communion or fellowship with Christ.”fellowship with Christ.”

²⁵⁶ “Devant qu'ils n'ayent este examinez et interroguez de leur foy;” —”before they have been examined and interrogated as to their faith.”;” —”before they have been examined and interrogated as to their faith.”

²⁵⁷ “Il n'y avoit point 1a de prestres, devant lequel un chacun eust peu s'a genouiller l'un apres l'autre, pourbarboter ses pechez en leurs aureilles.” — “There were no priests there, before whom each individual might kneel down, one after another, to mutter his sins in their ears.”.” — “There were no priests there, before whom each individual might kneel down, one after another, to mutter his sins in their ears.”

²⁵⁸ “Ceste confession n'appartient droit qu'a ceux qui de nouveau se convertissent a la foy.” — “That confession would only belong to those who are recently converted to the faith.”.” — “That confession would only belong to those who are recently converted to the faith.”

²⁵⁹ “Pour le moins, quand ils commandent par leur loy de se confesser depuis le Baptesme, ils ne peuvent pas dire qu’ils ensuivent Jean, ny l’alleguer pour autheur.” — “At least, when they enjoin, by their law, to make confession after Baptism, they cannot say that they follow John, nor produce him as their author.”.” — “At least, when they enjoin, by their law, to make confession after Baptism, they cannot say that they follow John, nor produce him as their author.”