John Calvin on Luke 8:39-44

39. Relate those things which God hath done for thee. He bids him relate not his own work, but the work of God His design in doing so is, that he may be acknowledged to be the true minister and prophet of God, and may thus acquire authority in teaching. In this gradual manner it was proper to instruct an ignorant people who were not yet acquainted with his divinity. Though Christ is the ladder by which we ascend to God the Father, yet, as he was not yet fully manifested, he begins with the Father, till a fitter opportunity occurred.

We must now add the symbolical meaning. Nunc addenda est anagoge. — “Maintenant il rested adjouster la deduction ou derivation;” — “it now remains to add the inference or remoter instruction.” — The word anagoge, or rather ἀναγωγὴ was technically employed by divines of the allegorizing school to denote the mystical meaning, which was the last and most recondite, as the literal was the first and most obvious, of the various meanings which they supposed to be contained in every verse of the Bible. Never did those men encounter a more zealous or more formidable opponent than Calvin. But, while he manfully sets his face against all that is mystical, when it can plead no higher authority than the ravings of a wild imagination, he is equally careful that those instructions which are indicated, though not directly conveyed, by the sacred writers, shall receive due consideration. He lays down as a general principle, which he endeavors to support by the word of God, that the cures of bodily diseases, performed by our Lord and his apostles, were intended to be symbolical of the removal of spiritual diseases by the power and grace of the Great Physician. Seldom does he close his illustration of one of those miracles without adverting to the loftier and more important occasions on which the arm of the Deliverer will put forth its strength. It is to this symbolical meaning that Calvin, under the word ἀναγωγὴ, borrowing the language, but disavowing the principles, of an ancient school, now proceeds to draw the attention of his reader. The grounds of his opinion it were foreign to our purpose to examine, but we have judged it necessary to append this note, in order to bring out clearly what the Author means. — Ed. In the person of one man Christ has exhibited to us “proof of his grace” which is extended to all mankind. Though we are not tortured by the devil, yet he holds us as his slaves, “Toutesfois nous luy sommes serfs et esclaves;” — “yet we are his serfs and slaves.” till the Son of God delivers us from his tyranny. “De la tyrannic malheureuse d'iceluy;” — “from his unhappy tyranny.” Naked, torn, and disfigured, we wander about, “Nous ne raisons que trainer ca et la estans nuds, deschirez, et dis- figurez;” — “we do but drag along here and there, being naked, torn, and disfigured.” till he restores us to soundness of mind. It remains that, in magnifying his grace, we testify our gratitude.

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, “Lors ayant appel, a soy ses douze disciples;” — “then having called to himself his twelve disciples.” 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, “N'allez point vers les Gentils;” — “go not towards the Gentiles.” and enter not into a city of the Samaritans: 6. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. “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.” 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. “Vous l'avez receu pour neant, donnez-le pour neant;” — “you have received it for nothing, give it for nothing.”

7. And he calleth the twelve, and began to send them out two and two, and gave them power against “Sur les esprits immondes;” — “over the unclean spirits.” the unclean spirits.

1. And having called the twelve, “Puis apres avoir appel, ses douze disciples ensemble;” — “then after having called his twelve disciples together.” 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.