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…

14 And Peter standing. By this word Standing, he did signify that there was a grave sermon made in the assembly. For they did rise when they spake unto the people, to the end they might be the better heard. The sum of this Sermon is this: he gathereth that Christ is already revealed and given by the gift of the holy Ghost, which they saw. Yet first he refuteth that false opinion, in that they thought that the disciples were drunk. This refutation consisteth upon a probable argument: because men use not to be drunk betimes in the morning. For as Paul sayeth, Those which are drunk, are drunk in the night.¹ For they fly the light for shame. And surely so great is the filthiness of this vice, that for good causes it hateth the light. And yet this argument were not always good. For Jesaias doeth inveigh in his time against those, which did rise early to follow drunkenness. And at this day there be many, who like hogs, so soon as they awake, run to quaffing. But because this is a common custom amongest men, Peter sayeth, that it is no likely thing. Those which have but even small skill in antiquity, do know that the civill day, from the rising of the Sun until the going down thereof, was divided into twelve hours. So that the hours were longer in summer, and shorter in winter. Therefore that which should now be the ninth before noon in winter, and in summer the eight, was the third hour amongst the old people. Therefore, whereas Peter doeth only lightly remove the opinion of drunkenness, he doeth it for this cause, because it had been superfluous to have stood about any long excuse. Therefore, as in a matter which was certain and out of doubt, he doeth rather pacify those which mocked, than labour to teach them. And he doeth not so much refute them by the circumstance of time, as by the testimony of Joel. For when he sayeth that that is now come to pass, which was foretold, he toucheth briefly their unthankfulness, ⟨p. 34⟩because they do not acknowledge such an excellent benefit promised unto them in times past, which they now see with their eyes. And whereas he upbraideth the fault of a few unto all, he doeth it not to this end, that he may make them all guilty of the same fault: but because a fit occasion was offered by their mocking to teach them all together, he doth not for-slow the same.

14 And Peter standing. By this worde Standing, hee did signifie that there was a graue sermon made in the assemblie. For they did rise when they spake vnto the people, to the ende they might be the better heard. The summe of this Sermon is this: hee gathereth that Christ is already reuealed and giuen by the gifte of the holy Ghost, which they sawe. Yet first hee refuteth that false opinon, in that they thought that the disciples were drunke. This refutation consisteth vpon a probable argument: because men vse not to bee drunke betimes in the morning. For as Paule saieth, Those which are drunke, are drunke in the night.