The doctrine of satisfaction, as handed down by both medieval scholastics and early modern theologians (prior to the Socinian controversy), teaches that Christ’s work on the cross was a voluntary and pleasing offering to God which was accepted in lieu of retributive punishment. The evidence presented in this paper demonstrates that the reformer John Calvin subscribed to a classic understanding of satisfaction, and not a “satisfaction through punishment” view whereby the Father must punish the Son until his wrath has been satisfied. Additionally, Calvin held to the hypothetical necessity of the incarnation and cross, which was rooted in his doctrine of God. Satisfaction and hypothetical necessity therefore form two pillars of thought in Calvin’s theology that may prove to be helpful in reforming the reformed tradition’s understanding of the work of Christ.