Commentary on a Harmony of the Evangelists Matthew Mark and Luke John Calvin
JOHN CALVIN
authority as king make it inconsistent that the Jews should pay to the Roman Empire a stipulated sum for each man under the name of a tax: for we know that Herod, though he was called a king, held nothing more than a borrowed power, and was little better than a slave. On what authority Eusebius states that this registration took place by an order of the Roman Senate, I know not.
7. Because there was no room for them in the inn We see here not only the great poverty of Joseph, but the cruel tyranny which admitted of no excuse, but compelled Joseph to bring his wife along with him, at an inconvenient season, when she was near the time of her delivery. Indeed, it is probable that those who were the descendants of the royal family were treated more harshly and disdainfully than the rest. Joseph was not so devoid of feeling as to have no concern about his wife's delivery. He would gladly have avoided this necessity: but, as that is impossible, he is forced to yield,131 and commends himself to God. We see, at the same time, what sort of beginning the life of the Son of God had, and in what cradle132 he was placed.
Such was his condition at his birth, because he had taken upon him our flesh for this purpose, that he might, "empty himself" (Philippians 2:7) on our account. When he was thrown into a stable, and placed in a manger, and a lodging refused him among men, it was that heaven might be opened to us, not as a temporary lodging,133 but as our eternal country and inheritance, and that angels might receive us into their abode. of Herod."
131"Il baisse la teste;" — "he bows the head." 132"Comment il a este heberge." 133"Non modo hospitii jure;" — "non point comme un logis pour y estre hebergez en passant."