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…

4 They began to speak. He showeth that the effect did appear presently, and also to what use their tongues were to be framed & applied. But, because Luke setteth down shortly after, that strangers out of divers countries did marvel, because that every one of them did hear the Apostles speaking in their own tongue: some think that they spake not in divers tongues, but that they did all understand that which was spoken in one tongue, as well as if they should hear their natural tongue. ⟨p. 20⟩Therefore they think that one and the same sound of the voice was diversly distributed amongst the hearers. An other conjecture they have, because Peter made one sermon in the audience of many gathered together out of divers countries: who could not understand his speech and language, unless an other voice should come unto their ears, then that which proceeded out of his mouth. But we must first note, that the disciples spake in deed with strange tongues: otherwise the miracle had not been wrought in them, but in the hearers. So that the similitude should have been false, whereof he made mention before: neither should the Spirit have been given so much to them as to others. Again, we hear how Paul giveth thanks to God,¹ that he speaketh with divers tongues. Truly he challengeth to himself both the understanding, and also the use thereof. Neither did he attain to this skill by his own study and industry, but he had it by the gift of the Spirit. In the same place he affirmeth, that it is an especial gift, wherewith all men are not endued. I suppose that it doth manifestly appear hereby, that the Apostles had the variety & understanding of tongues given them: that they might speak unto the Greeks in Greek, unto the Italians in the Italian tongue, and that they might have true communication and conference with their hearers. Notwithstanding I leave it indifferent, whether there was any second miracle wrought or no, so that the Egyptians and Elamites did understand Peter speaking in the Chaldean tongue, as if he did utter divers voices. For there be some conjectures which persuade me thus to think, and yet not so firm, but that they may be refuted. For it may be that they spake with divers tongs, as they light upon this man or that, and as occasion was offered, & as their languages were divers.

4 They began to speake. Hee sheweth that the effect did appeare presently, and also to what vse their tongues were to be framed & applied. But, because Luke setteth downe shortly after, that strangers out of diuers countries did maruell, because that euery one of them did heare the Apostles speaking in their owne tongue: some think that they spake not in diuers tongues, but that they did all vnderstande that which was spoken in one tonge, as wel as if they should heare their natural tongue.