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…

10 A certain Prophet. Though Luke doth not plainly express the same, yet do I conject that this Agabus was the same of whom mention is made in the xi. chapter, who foretold that there should be famine under the reign of Claudius Caesar.¹ And whenas Luke calleth him a prophet as of late he called the four daughters of Philip, he signifieth that it was not a common but a peculiar gift. Now we must see to what end the persecution which was at hand was now again showed by Agabus. As concerning Paul he was sufficiently told already. Therefore I do not doubt but that this confirmation was added for other mens sake: because the Lord meant every where to make known the bonds of his servant partly that they might know that he entered the combat willingly partly that they might perceive that he was appointed of god to be a champion to fight for the gospel. It was surely a profitable example of invincible constancy, seeing that he offered himself willingly and wittingly to the violence of the adversaries: and no less profitable is it for us at this day, that his apostleship should be confirmed with this voluntary & no less constant giving over of his life.

10 A certaine Prophet. Though Luke doth not plainlie expresse the same, yet do I coniect that this Agabus was the same of whom mention is made in the xi. chapter, who foretold that there should be famin vnder the reigne of Claudius Caesar.¹ And whenas Luke calleth him a prophet as of late he called the four daughters of Philip, he signifieth that it was not a common but a peculiar gift. Now we must see to what ende the persecutiō which was at hand was now again shewed by Agabus. As concerning Paul he was sufficiently told alreadie. Therefore I doe not doubt but that this confirmation was added for other mens sake: bicause the Lord meant euery where to make knowen the bonds of his seruant partly that they might know that he entred the combat willingly partly that they might perceiue that he was appointed of god to be a chāpion to fight for the gospell. It was surely a profitable example of inuincible constancie, seeing that he offered himself willingly and wittingly to the violence of the aduersaries: and no lesse profitable is it for vs at this day, that his apostleship should be confirmed with this voluntarie & no lesse constant giuing ouer of his life.