“Though it was a shocking exhibition, and highly incompatible with the majesty of the Son of God, to be dragged before the judgment-seat of a profane man and to be tried on the charge of a capital offense, as a malefactor in chains, yet we ought to remember that our salvation consists in the doctrine of the cross.
For the Son of God chose to stand bound before an earthly judge, and there to receive sentence of death, in order that we, delivered from condemnation, may not fear to approach freely to the heavenly throne of God.”
–John Calvin, Commentary on a Harmony of the Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, and Luke (Edinburgh: Calvin Translation Society, 1845; repr. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1981), 3:274–75.
