John Calvin on Matthew 11:15-19

15. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. We know that it is customary with Christ to introduce this sentence, whenever he treats of subjects which are highly important, and which deserve no ordinary attention. “Et qui ne doit pas estre escoutee par acquit;” — “and which ought not to be listened to in an indifferent manner.” He reminds us, at the same time, of the reason why the mysteries of which he speaks are not received by all. It is because many of his hearers are deaf, or at least have their ears closed. But now, as every man is hindered not only by his own unbelief, but by the mutual influence which men exercise on each other, Christ here exhorts the elect of God, whose ears have been pierced, to consider attentively this remarkable secret of God, and not to remain deaf with unbelievers.

MATTHEW 11:16-19; Luke 7:29-35

Matthew 11:16-19

Luke 7:29-35

16. But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children, who sit in the market-place, and call out to their companions, 17. And say, We have played on the flute to you, and you have not danced; we have sung mournful airs to you, and you have not lamented. 18. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. 19. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Lo, a man who is a glutton and a wine-bibber, “Gourmand et; yvrongne;” — “a glutton and a drunkard.” a friend to publicans and sinners; and Wisdom is justified by her children.

29. And all the people hearing, and the publicans, justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John. “Et tout le peuple qui oyoit cela, et les Peagers qui estoyent baptizez du baptesme de Iean, iustiferent Dieu.” — “And all the people who heard that, and the publicans who were baptized with the baptism of John, justified God.” 30. But Pharisees and Lawyers “Les Docteurs de la Loy;” — “the Doctors of the Law.” despised “Reietterent le conseil de Dieu;” — “rejected the counsel of God.” the counsel of God in themselves, “En eux-mesmes, ou, a l’encontre d’eux-mesmes;” — “in themselves, or, against themselves.” having not been baptized by him. 31. And the Lord said, To what then shall I compare the men of this generation? and to what are they like? 32. They are like children sitting in the market-place, and calling out to each other, and saying, We have played on the flute to you, and you have not danced; we have sung mournful airs to you, and you have not wept. 33. For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, He hath a devil. 34. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and you say, Lo, a man gluttonous and a wine-bibber, a friend to publicans and sinners. “Ami des Peagers et gens du mauvaise vie;” — “a friend of publican and persons of wicked life.” 35. And Wisdom is justified by all her children.