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…

22 Away with such a fellow. Luke showeth here how outrageously Paul his sermon was interrupted. For they do not only oppress him with their crying, but they desire to have him put to death: where it doeth also plainly appear how frenzy pride is. The Jews conceived so great good liking of themselves, that they did not only despise ⟨p. 519⟩all the whole world in comparison of themselves, but they stood also more stoutly in defence of their own dignity then of the Law it self: as if all religion did consist in this, that Abraham his stock might excel all other mortal men. So now they rage against and rail upon Paul, because he said that he was sent to be the Apostle of the Gentiles: as if God were bound by his own liberality to suffer the contempt of his power in the wicked and unthankful, on whom he bestowed excellent graces above all other. And it is no marvel if there were such fierceness and fury at that day among the Jews, seeing that being by all means wasted, and accustomed to suffer extreme reproaches at this day, they cease not notwithstanding to swell with servile pride.¹ But these be fruits of reprobation, until God gather together the remnant according to Paul his prophecy.

22 Away with such a fellowe. Luke sheweth heere howe outragiouslie Paul his sermon was interrupted. For they doe not onely opppresse him with their crying, but they desire to haue him put to death: where it doeth also plainelie appeare howe frensie pride is. The Iewes conceiued so great good liking of themselues, that they did not onely despice ⟨p. 519⟩all the whole worlde in comparison of themselues, but they stoode also more stoutly in defense of their owne dignitye then of the Lawe it selfe: as if al religion did consist in this, that Abraham his stocke might excell all other mortall men. So now they rage against and raile vpon Paul, because hee saide that hee was sent to bee the Apostle of the Gentiles: as if God were bounde by his owne liberalitie to suffer the contempt of his power in the wicked and vnthankfull, on whom he bestowed excellent graces aboue all other. And it is no maruell if there were suche fiercenesse and fury at that day among the Iewes, seeing that being by all meanes wasted, and accustomed to suffer extreme reproches at this daye, they cease not notwithstanding to swell with seruile pride.