Commentary on a Harmony of the Evangelists Matthew Mark and Luke John Calvin
Matthew 10:1-8; Mark 6:7; Luke 9:1-2
MATTHEW 10:1-8; MARK 6:7; LUKE 9:1-2
Matthew 10:1-8
Mark 6:7
Luke 9:1-2
1. And having called the twelve disciples, 561 he gave them power against the unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure any disease and any sickness. 2. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3. Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alpheus, and Lebbeus, surnamed Thaddeus; 4. Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. 5. These, twelve in number, Jesus sent out, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, 562 and enter not into a city of the Samaritans: 6. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 563 7.
And when you have departed, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
8. Cure the diseased, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely you have received, freely give. 564
7. And he calleth the twelve, and began to send them out two and two, and gave them power against 565 the unclean spirits.
1. And having called the twelve, 566 Jesus gave them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases. 2. And sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to cure the diseased.
The calling of the Apostles is here described to us, not as on a former occasion, when the Lord Jesus Christ, intending to prepare them for their office, selected them
561"Lors ayant appel, a soy ses douze disciples;" — "then having called to himself his twelve disciples."
562"N'allez point vers les Gentils;" — "go not towards the Gentiles." 563"Mats plustost allez aux ouailles de la matson d'Israel, qui sontperies;" — "but rather go to the flocks of the house of Israel, which are lost."
564"Vous l'avez receu pour neant, donnez-le pour neant;" — "you have received it for nothing, give it for nothing."
565"Sur les esprits immondes;" — "over the unclean spirits." 566"Puis apres avoir appel, ses douze disciples ensemble;" — "then after having called his twelve disciples together."
HARMONY OF THE EVANGELISTS
for admission into his private circle. They are now called to immediate performance, are ordered to prepare themselves for the work, receive injunctions, and, that there may be no want of authority, are endued with the power of the Holy Spirit. Formerly, they were held in expectation of future labor: now, Christ announces that the hour is come when they must put their hands to the work. It is proper to observe, however, that he does not as yet speak of perpetual apostleship, but only of temporary preaching, which was fitted to awaken and excite the minds of men, that they might be more attentive to hear Christ. So then they are now sent to proclaim throughout
Judea that the time of the promised restoration and salvation is at hand at a future period, Christ will appoint them to spread the Gospel through the whole world. Here, he employs them as assistants only, to secure attention to him where his voice could not reach afterwards, he will commit into their hands the office of teaching which he had discharged. It is of great importance to observe this, that we may not suppose it to be a certain and fixed rule laid down for all ministers of the word, when our Lord gives instructions to the preachers of his doctrine as to what he wishes them to do for a short time. From inattention to this point many have been led astray, so as to demand from all ministers of the word, without distinction, conformity to this rule.567
Matthew 10:1. And having called the twelve disciples The number, twelve, was intended to point out the future restoration of the Church. As the nation was descended from twelve patriarchs, so its scattered remains are now reminded by Christ of their origin, that they may entertain a fixed hope of being restored. Although the kingdom of God was not in so flourishing a state in Judea, as to preserve the nation entire, but, on the contrary, that people, which already had miserably fallen, deserved doubly to die on account of ingratitude in despising the grace which had been offered to them, yet this did not prevent a new nation from afterwards springing up. At a future period, God extended far beyond Zion the scepter of the power of his Son, and caused rivers to flow from that fountain, to water abundantly the four quarters of the world. Then God assembled his Israel from every direction, and united into one body not only the scattered and torn members, but men who had formerly been entirely alienated from the people of God.
It was not without reason, therefore, that the Lord, by appointing, as it were, twelve patriarchs, declared the restoration of the Church. Besides, this number reminded the Jews of the design of his coming; but, as they did not yield to the grace of God, he begat for himself a new Israel. If you look at the beginnings, it might appear ridiculous that Christ should bestow such honorable titles on persons who were mean and of no estimation: but their astonishing success, and the wide extension of the Church, make it evident that, in honorable rank and in numerous offspring, the apostles not only are not inferior to the patriarchs, but greatly excel them.
Gave them power The apostles had almost no rank among men, while the commission which Christ gave them was divine. Besides, they had neither ability nor eloquence, while the excellence and novelty of their office required more than hu-
567"Voulant reigler indifferemment tous ministres de la parole selon ee qui est ici dk;" — "wishing to regulate indiscriminately all ministers of the word according to what is here said."