It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
Ver. 25. It is sufficient for the disciple, &c.] And a fair preferment too,John 21:18. Peter thinks much that himself should be destined to die a martyr, and not John. What shall he do? saith Peter; Follow thou me, saith our Saviour. I shall show thee the way to an ignominious suffering, whatever becomes of John; though he shall suffer his part too. For if the head be crowned with thorns, should not the members feel the pain of it? a
If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub] That is, master fly, such as Pliny calleth Μυιαγρος. The men of Elis sacrificed to Jupiter Muscarius (Απομυιος). He is otherwise called Jupiter Stercorarius, this Beelzebub: as the Scripture calls all the vanities of the heathen Gelulim, excrements, dunghill deities: a name too good for them. David would not do them so much honour as once to name them. And Absit (saith Jerome) ut de ore Christiano sonet Iupiter omnipotens, et Mehercule, et Mecastor, et caetera magis portenta quam numina. Beelzebub was the god of Ekron, that is, the devil of hell (for of Ekron comes Acheron). How prodigiously blasphemous then were these miscreants that called Christ Beelzebub. Wonder it was, that at the hearing thereof the heaven sweat not, the earth shook not, the sea swelled not above all her banks.
How much more shall they call, &c.] So they called Athanasius Sathanasius, Cyprian Coprian, Calvin Cain, Farellus devil. When he came first to Geneva, and began the Reformation there, he was haled before the bishop, and set upon in this sort: Quid tu diabole nequissime ad hanc civitatem perlurbandam accessisti? What a devil meanest thou to meddle with the Scriptures? (said Stephen Winchester to Marbeek); seeing thou art so stubborn and wilful, thou shalt go to the devil for me.
a Non decet ut sub capite spinis coronato vivant membra in deliciis. Zanch. lib. 10, cap. 28.