John Calvin Commentary Matthew 9:14

"Then come to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?" — Matthew 9:14 (ASV)

Then come to him the disciples of John. Luke represents the Pharisees as speaking. Mark appears to connect both. Indeed, there is no room to doubt that the Pharisees maliciously endeavored, by this stratagem, to draw the disciples of John to their party and to produce a quarrel between them and the disciples of Christ. A resemblance in prayers and fastings was a plausible pretext for associating at this time, while the different manner in which Christ acted was an occasion of enmity and dislike to men whose temper was unpleasant and who were excessively devoted to themselves.

This example reminds us that prudence and caution are necessary to prevent wicked and cunning men from sowing divisions among us on any slight grounds. Satan has a wonderful dexterity, no doubt, in laying those snares; and it is an easy matter to distress us about a trifle.⁵²³ But we ought especially to beware lest the unity of faith be destroyed, or the bond of charity broken, on account of outward ceremonies.

Almost all suffer from the malady of attaching undue importance to the ceremonies and elements of the world, as Paul calls them (Galatians 4:3; Colossians 2:8), and accordingly they do not hesitate, for the most part, to prefer the merest rudiments to the highest perfection. This is followed by another evil arising from fastidiousness and pride, when everyone would willingly compel the whole world to copy his example. If anything pleases us, we immediately desire to make it a law, so that others may live according to our will.

When we read that the disciples of John were caught by these snares of Satan, let us first learn not to place holiness in outward and indifferent matters, and at the same time to restrain ourselves with moderation and equity, so that we may not desire to restrict others to what we approve, but may allow everyone to retain his freedom.

Regarding fasting and prayers, it should be understood that John gave his disciples a particular training, and for this purpose they had stated days for fastings, a settled form, and fixed hours of prayer. Now, I consider those prayers among outward observances. For though calling on God holds the first rank in spiritual worship, yet that method of doing it was adapted to the immaturity of people, and is justly considered among ceremonies and indifferent matters, the observance of which should not be too strictly enjoined.

We have already spoken of the reason why John’s discipline was more severe than that of Christ, and a more convenient opportunity for discussing it will occur again.

⁵²³ “Pour des choses qui ne valent pas le parler;” — “for things that are not worth talking about.”;” — “for things that are not worth talking about.”