Commentary on a Harmony of the Evangelists Matthew Mark and Luke John Calvin (continued)
Matthew 10:21-25; Luke 6:40
MATTHEW 10:21-25; LUKE 6:40
Matthew 10:21-25
Luke 6:40
21. And the brother will deliver up the brother to death, and the father the son, and the children will rise up against the parents, and will put them to death. 22.
And you will be hated by all on account of my name: but he who shall endure to the end 588 will be saved. 23. And when they shall persecute you in this city, flee into another: for verily I say unto you, You will not have gone over 589 all the cities of Israel, till the Son of man bec ome. 24. The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. 25. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and that the servant be as his lord: if they have called the master of the house himself
Beelzebub, how much more his household servants?
40. The disciple is not above his master, but every one shall be to his master.
Matthew 10:21. And the brother will deliver up the brother to death. He first gives warning what heavy calamities await them, and then adds a remarkable consideration, which sweetens all their bitterness. First, he announces that those circumstances which other men find to be the means of protection, or from which they obtain some relief, will prove to the disciples a fresh addition to their misery. Brothers, who ought to assist them when oppressed, to stretch out their hand to them amidst their distresses, and to watch over their safety, will be their mortal enemies.
It is a mistake however, to suppose that it happens to none but believers to be delivered up to death by their brethren: for it is possible that a father may pursue his son with holy zeal,590 if he perceives him to have apostatized from the true worship of God; nay, the Lord enjoins us in such a case (Deuteronomy 13:9) to forget flesh and blood, and to bestow all our care on vindicating the glory of his name.591 Whoever
588"Qui soustiendra, ou, tiendra bon, jusques k la fin;" — "he who shall endure, or hold out, even to the end."
589"Vous n'aurez point parachev, d'aller;" — "you will not have finished going." 590"Par un zele sainct et plaisant a Dieu;" — "by a zeal that is holy and pleasing to God." 591"De maintenir la gloire de son nom, a fin que punition soit faite de l'outrage commis contre sa majeste;" — "to maintam the glory of his name, that punishment may be inflicted on the outrage comnntted against his majesty."