The commentaries of M. John Calvin upon the Acts of the Apostles, faithfully translated…The commentaries of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the Actes of the Apostles, faithfully translated…

Renting their garments. Because the old interpreter had truly translated this, it was evil done of Erasmus to change it, that The Magistrates ⟨p. 400⟩did rent their own garments. For this was Luke his meaning only, that the holy men were outrageously beaten, the lawful order of judgement being neglected, and that they laid hands on them with such violence that their garments were rent. And this had been too far disagreeing with the custom of the Romans, for the judges to cut their own garments publicly in the market place: especially seeing the question was concerning an unknown religion, for which they did not greatly care, but I will not long stand about a plain matter.

Renting their garments. Because the old interpreter had truly translated this, it was euill done of Erasmus to change it, that The Magistrates ⟨p. 400⟩did rent their owne garments. For this was Luke his meaning only, that the holy men were outragiously beaten, the lawefull order of iudgement being neglected, and that they laid hands on them with such violence that their garments were rent. And this had been too far disagreing with the custome of the Romanes, for the iudges to cut their owne garments publikely in the market place: especially seeing the question was concerning an vnknowne religion, for which they did not greatly care, but I will not long stand about a plaine matter.

23 And when they had given them many stripes, they did cast them into prison, commanding the keeper of the prison to keep them safe. 24 Who seeing he had received such commandment, did put them in the inner prison, and made fast their feet in the stocks. 25 And at midnight Paul & Silas praying did praise god. And those which lay bound heard them. 26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And by and by all the doors were opened, and all their hands were loosed. 27 And when the keeper of the prison awaked, and saw all the prison doors open, drawing out his sword he was about to slay himself, thinking that those which lay bound were fled. 28 And Paul cried with a loud voice, saying: do thy self no harm: for we be all here.