John Calvin on Mark 12:34-42

34. But when Jesus saw. Whether this scribe made any farther progress is uncertain; but as he had shown himself to be teachable, Christ stretches out the hand to him, and teaches us, by his example, that we ought to assist those in whom there is any beginning either of docility or of right understanding. There appear to have been two reasons why Christ declared that this scribe was not far from the kingdom of God. It was because he was easily persuaded to do his duty, and because he skillfully distinguished the outward worship of God from necessary duties. Nor was it so much with the design of praising as of exhorting him, that Christ declared that he was near the kingdom of God; and in his person Christ encourages us all, after having once entered into the right path, to proceed with so much the greater cheerfulness. By these words we are also taught that many, while they are still held and involved in error, advance with closed eyes towards the road, and in this manner are prepared for running in the course of the Lord, when the time arrives.

And after that, no man ventured to put a question to him. The assertion of the Evangelists, that the mouth of adversaries was stopped, so they did not venture any more to lay snares for Christ, must not be so understood as if’ they desisted from their wicked obstinacy; for they groaned within, like wild beasts shut up in their dens, or, like unruly horses, they bit the bridle. But the more hardened their obstinacy, and the more incorrigible their rebellion, so much the more illustrious was Christ’s triumph over both. And this victory, which he obtained, ought greatly to encourage us never to become dispirited in the defense of the truth, being assured of success. It will often happen, indeed, that enemies shall molest and insult us till the end, but God will at length secure that their fury shall recoil on their own heads, and that, in spite of their efforts, truth shall be victorious.

MATTHEW 22:41-46; MARK 12:35-37; LUKE 20:41-44

Matthew 22:41-46

Mark 12:35-37

Luke 20:41-44

41. And when the Pharisees were assembled, Jesus asked them, 42. Saying, What think you of Christ? whose son is he? They say to him, David’s. 43. He saith to them, How then doth David by the Spirit call him Lord, saying, 44. The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, till I have made thy enemies thy footstool? “Jusques a tant que je mettray tes ennemis pour le marchepied de tes pieds;” — “till I shall place thy enemies as the footstool for thy feet.” 45. If David then calleth him Lord, how is he his son? 46. And no man could make any reply to him; “Et nul ne luy pouvoit respondre une parolle;” — “and none could answer a word to him.” nor did any man from that day venture to put any more questions to him.

35. And Jesus answering said, while he was teaching in the temple, How do the scribes say that Christ is the son of David? 36. For David himself by the Holy “Spirit said, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, till I make thy enemies thy footstool. “Jusques a tant que je mettray tes ennemis pour le marchepied de tes pieds;” — “till I shall place thy enemies as the footstool for thy feet.” 37. David himself therefore calleth him Lord; and whence is he his son? And a vast multitude heard him gladly.

41. And he said to them, How do they say that Christ is the son of David? 42. And David himself saith in the Book of Psalms, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, 43. Till I make thy enemies thy footstool. “Jusques a tant que je mettray tes ennemis pour le marchepied de tes pieds;” — “till I shall place thy enemies as the footstool for thy feet.” 44. David therefore calleth him Lord; and how is he his son?