John Calvin Commentary Matthew 8:19

"And there came a scribe, and said unto him, Teacher, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest." — Matthew 8:19 (ASV)

And a scribe approaching. Two men are presented to us here by Matthew, and three by Luke. All of them were prepared to become disciples of Christ; but, having been prevented by a diversity of vices from following the right course, they receive a corresponding variety of replies.

It might at first sight appear strange that Christ sends back, and does not admit into his family, one who offers to follow him immediately and without delay, while he detains another with him who, by asking leave for a time, showed himself to be slower and less willing. But there are the best reasons for both.

From where did the great readiness of the scribe to prepare himself immediately to accompany Christ arise, if not from his not having at all considered the hard and wretched condition of his followers?

We must bear in mind that he was a scribe, who had been accustomed to a quiet and easy life, had enjoyed honor, and was ill-suited to endure reproaches, poverty, persecutions, and the cross. He wishes indeed to follow Christ, but dreams of an easy and agreeable life, and of dwellings filled with every convenience; whereas the disciples of Christ must walk among thorns and march to the cross amidst uninterrupted afflictions.

The more eager he is, the less he is prepared. He seems as if he wished to fight in the shade and at ease, neither annoyed by sweat nor by dust, and beyond the reach of the weapons of war.

There is no reason to wonder that Christ rejects such persons: for, as they rush on without consideration, they are distressed by the first difficulty of any kind that occurs, lose courage at the first attack, give way, and basely desert their post.

Besides, this scribe might have sought a place in the family of Christ in order to live at his table without expense and to eat luxuriously without toil.

Let us therefore consider ourselves warned by his example, not to boast lightly and at ease that we will be disciples of Christ while we are giving no thought to the cross or to afflictions; but, on the contrary, to consider early what sort of condition awaits us.

The first lesson which he gives us, on entering his school, is to deny ourselves, and take up his cross (Matthew 16:24).