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…

29 Being astonied he fell down. This keeper was no less brought under with fear to show obedience to god then with the miracle prepared, Hereby it appeareth what a good thing it is for men to be thrown down from their pride, that they may learn to submit themselves to god. He was hardened in his superstitions: therefore he might with a lofty stomach have despised whatsoever Paul and Silas should have said, whom he had also reproachfully thrust into the innermost part of the prison. Now fear maketh him apt to be taught and gentle. Therefore so often as the Lord shall strike us, or cast us down: let us know that this is done that we may be brought in order from our too much haughtiness.

29 Being astonied he fell down. This keeper was no lesse brought vnder with feare to shewe obedience to god then with the myracle prepared, Heerby it appeareth what a good thing it is for men to be thrown down frō their pride, that they may learn to submit themselues to god. He was hardned in his superstitions: therefore he might with a loftie stomacke haue despiced whatsoeuer Paul and Silas should haue saide, whom hee had also reprochfully thrust into the inermost part of the prison. Now feare maketh him apt to be taught and gentle. Therefore so often as the Lord shall strike vs, or cast vs downe: let vs knowe that this is done that we may be brought in order from our too much hautinesse.

But it is a wonder that he was not reproved for falling down at their feet. For why did Paul wink at that,¹ which (as Luke recordeth) Peter would not suffer in Cornelius? I answer that Paul doeth therefore bear with the keeper: because he knoweth that he was not moved with superstition but with fear of Gods judgement so to humble himself. It was a kind of worship common enough: but chiefly among the Romans it was a solemn thing, when they would humbly crave any thing, or crave pardon, they fell down at their knees, to whom they put up their supplication. Therefore there was no cause why Paul should be displeased with a man whom he saw simply humbled of God. For if there had bin any thing committed contrary to the glory of God, he had not forgotten that zeal which he showed before among the men of Lycaonia. Therefore by his silence we gather that in this kind of worship there was nothing contrary to godliness or the glory of God.