Commentary on a Harmony of the Evangelists Matthew Mark and Luke John Calvin (continued)
Matthew 23:13-15; Mark 12:40 Luke 11:52; 20:47
MATTHEW 23:13-15; MARK 12:40
LUKE 11:52; 20:47
Matthew 23:13-15
Mark 12:40
Luke 11:52
13. But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you do not enter yourselves, and do not permit those who come to enter. 14. And woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you devour widows' houses, and that under the disguise of a long prayer; therefore you will be the more severely punished. 15. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you compass sea and land to make 1421 one proselyte; and when he is made, 1422 you make him twice as much the child of hell as yourselves.
40. Who devour widows' houses, and that under the disguise of a longprayer.
These shall receive a severer condemnation.
52. Woe to you, lawyers! for you have taken away the key of knowledge: you did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.
Luke 20:47
47. Who devour widows' houses, and by way of pretence make long prayers 1423. These shall receive greater condemnation.
He breaks out into still stronger language of condemnation, and he does so not so much on their account, as for the purpose of withdrawing the common people and simple-minded men from their sect. 1424 For though we see frequently in Scripture the judgment of God pronounced against the reprobate, so as to render them the more inexcusable, yet in their person the children of God receive a useful warning, not to involve themselves in the snares of the same crimes, but to guard against falling into similar destruction. Certainly, when the scribes, after overturning the 1421"Afin de gaigner un proselyte;" — "in order to gain one proselyte." 1422"Et quand il est gaigné;" — "and when he is gained." 1423"Lesquels devorent les maisons des vefues, sous ombre de faire longue oraison;" — "who devour the houses of widows, under the pretense of making a long prayer."
1424"De suyvre telle maniere de gens;" — "from following that sort of people."