Commentary on the Gospel According to John John Calvin (continued)
Commentary on John see and to feel him, in the same manner as before. In this manner, a new addition to the proof of Christ's resurrection was given, not only to Thomas, but, also to us. Besides, the obstinacy of Thomas is an example to show, that this wickedness is almost natural to all men, to retard themselves of their own accord, when the entrance to faith is opened to them.
25. Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails. This points out the source of the vice to be, that every one wishes to be wise from his own understanding, and flatters himself beyond measure. If I do not see, says he, "and if I do not touch, I will not believe." 545 These words have no approach to faith, but it is what may be called a sensual judgment, by which I mean, a judgment which is founded on the perception of the senses, 546 The same thing happens to all who are so devoted to themselves 547 that they leave no room for the word of God. It is of no consequence, whether you read the place, or the shape, or The Print of the nails; for transcribers may have exchanged {τύπον} (print) for {τόπον}, (place,) or {τόπον} (place) for {τύπον}, (print;) but the meaning is not altered on that account. Let the reader, therefore, choose which of them he shall prefer. 548
26. Reach hither thy finger. We have already spoken once about Christ's entrance, and the form of salutation which he employed. When Christ so readily yields to the improper request of Thomas, 549 and, of his own accord, invites him to feel his hands, and touch the wound of his side, we learn from this how earnestly desirous he was to promote our faith and that of Thomas; for it was not to Thomas only, but to us also, that he looked, that nothing might be wanting which was necessary for confirming our faith.
The stupidity of Thomas was astonishing and monstrous; for he was not satisfied with merely beholding Christ but wished to have his hands also as witnesses of Christ's resurrection. Thus he was not only obstinate, but also proud and contemptuous in his treatment of Christ. Now, at least, when he saw Christ, he ought to have been overwhelmed with shame and amazement; but, on the contrary, he boldly and fearlessly stretches forth his hand, as if he were not conscious of any guilt; for it may be readily inferred from the words of the Evangelist, that he did not repent before that he had convinced himself by touching. Thus it happens that, when we render to the word of God less honor than is due to it, there steals upon us, without our knowledge, a glowing obstinacy, which brings along with it a contempt of the word of God, and makes us lose all reverence for it. So much the more earnestly should we labor to restrain the wantonness of our mind, that none of us, by improperly indulging in contradiction, and extinguishing, as it were, the
545"Si je ne voy point, dit il, et si je ne touche, je ne croirai point." 546"C'est a dire, qui est fonde sur l'apprehension des sens." 547"Qui sont tellement adonnez a leur propre sens." 548"Car les deux mots Grecs ne sont point differens qu'en une lettre, et il est aisc de prendre Pun pour l'autre;" — "for the two Greek words differ only in a single letter, and one of them might easily be taken for the other."
549"Ce qu'il avoit demande par l'obstination et l'opiniastrete;" — "what he had asked through obstinacy and stubbornness."