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…

Furthermore, he saith, that this last thing happened at such time as after the death of Festus, Albinus did succeed him. And I see not why some call this Ananus Ananias. That hath indeed some colour, in that he is called a pharisee: also in that it is said that he was bold and stout, who without any lawful authority caused James the Lords brother to be stoned. But if we give credence to Josephus, he could not be that Ananias of whom mention is made in this place by Luke, who was then made priest, when many years were past and gone, after that Felix departed out of the province. I have another conjecture in my head. For there flourished during all that time one Ananias an high priest, who excepting the title of honour, was almost chief in the order. And because Josephus leaveth some void time between Ananias and Ismael, it may be that this man had the room of the highest priest in the mean time. But though this were not so, it appeareth out of Josephus, that Ananias who died when the City was besieged, was in the reign of Claudius Caesar and Nero equal in dignity with the chief priests which were then.

Futhermore, he saith, that this last thing happened at suche time as after the death of Festus, Albinus did succeede him. And I see not why some call this Ananus Ananias. That hath indeed some colour, in that he is called a pharisie: also in that it is said that he was bold and stout, who wythout any lawfull authoritie caused Iames the Lords brother to be stoned. But if we giue credaunce to Iosephus, he coulde not bee that Ananias of whome mention is made in this place by Luke, who was then made priest, when manye yeeres were past and gone, after that Felix departed out of the prouince. I haue another coniecture in my head. For there flourished during all that time one Ananias an high prieste, who excepting the title of honour, was almost chiefe in the order. And because Iosephus leaueth some voyde time betweene Ananias and Ismael, it may be that this manne had the roome of the highest priest in the meane time. But though this were not so, it appeareth out of Iosephus, that Ananias who died when the Citie was besieged, was in the reigne of Claudius Caesar and Nero equall in dignity with the chiefe priestes which were then.

Yea his authority is so highly extolled, as if he had had the chief government, howsoever other men did bear the insignes of honour. Again he is called archiereus confusedly, as those who were the highest Priests. Now let the readers ponder and consider, whether the word archiereus doth not rather signify in this place Chief, than Highest, as it doth in many other places. For the Evangelists do every where call the Priests who were of the Course of Aaron, archiereis, that they may distinguish them from the Levites, who had a more inferior degree of Priesthood. Moreover it may be that that Ananias who was counted stout and courageous, did supply the high Priests room in his absence. Those things which we have recited out of Josephus, are recorded partly in the twentieth book of Antiquities, from the third Chapter, until the eight: partly in the second book of the wars of the Jews.