Commentary on a Harmony of the Evangelists Matthew Mark and Luke John Calvin
Luke 2:8-14
LUKE 2:8-14
Luke 2:8-14
8. And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the fields, 134 and watching by night over their flock. 135 9. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them: and the glory 136 of the Lord shone round about them, and they feared with a great fear. 10. And the angel said to them, Fear not: for, lo, I announce to you great joy, which shall be to all the people: 11. For this day is born to you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, in the city of David. 12. And this shall be a sign to you: 137 you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling-bands 138 laid in a manger: 13. And suddenly there was present with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, 139 praising God, and saying, 14. Glory in the highest 140 to God, and on earth peace, among men good-will. 141
8. And there were shepherds It would have been to no purpose that Christ was born in Bethlehem, if it had not been made known to the world. But the method of doing so, which is described by Luke, appears to the view of men very unsuitable.
First, Christ is revealed but to a few witnesses, and that too amidst the darkness of night. Again, though God had, at his command, many honorable and distinguished witnesses, he passed by them, and chose shepherds, persons of humble rank, and of no account among men. Here the reason and wisdom of the flesh must prove to be foolishness; and we must acknowledge, that "the foolishness of God" (1 Corinthians
1:25) excels all the wisdom that exists, or appears to exist, in the world. But this too was a part of the "emptying of himself," (Philippians 2:6:) not that any part of Christ's glory should be taken away by it, but that it should lie in concealment for a time.
134"Couchant es champs." 135"Gardant les veilles de la nuict." 136"La clarte;" — "the brightness." 137"Et vous aurez ces enseignes;" — "and you shall have these signs." 138"Pannis;" — "bandelettes." 139"Militiae;" — "des armees celestes;" — "of the heavenly armies." 140"es cieux treshauts;" — "in the highest heavens." 141"Envers les hommes son bon plaisir, ou, bonne volonte;" — "towards men his good pleasure, or, good-will."