Commentary on a Harmony of the Evangelists Matthew Mark and Luke John Calvin (continued)
Luke 15:25-32
Luke 15:25-32
Luke 15:25-32
25. Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26. And he called one of his servants, and asked what those things were. 1148 27. And he said to him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. 1149 28. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore his father went out, and entreated him. 29. But he answering said to his father, Behold, during so many years I serve thee, and never have I transgressed thy commandment; and thou never gavest me a kid, that I might be merry with my friends: 30. But after that this thy son, who hath devoured thy property with harlots, is come, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 31. But he said to him, Son, 1150 thou art always with me, and all my property is thine. 32. But it was proper that we should be merry and rejoice; because this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.
This latter portion of the parable charges those persons with cruelty, who would wickedly choose to set limits to the grace of God, as if they envied the salvation of wretched sinners. For we know that this is pointed at the haughtiness of the scribes, 1151 who did not think that they received the reward due to their merits, if Christ admitted publicans and the common people to the hope of the eternal inheritance.
The substance of it therefore is, that, if we are desirous to be reckoned the children of God, we must forgive in a brotherly manner the faults of brethren, which He forgives with fatherly kindness.
25. And his elder son was in the field. Those who think that, under the figure of the first-born son, the Jewish nation is described, have indeed some argument on 1148"Et l'interroga que c'estoit;" — "and asked him what it was." 1149The two adjectives, safe and sound, which occur in the authorized version, are here retained as the translation of "incolumem," which conveys both ideas; and this is fully justified by our author's vernacular," pourtant qu'il l'a recouvre sain et sauf;" — because he hath received him back sound and safe." — Ed.
1150"Mon enfant;" — "my child." 1151"L'orgueil et la presomption des Scribes;" — "the pride and presumption of the Scribes."