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…

6 Who went about to pollute the Temple. It was a light and almost a frivolous accusation to lay this to his charge before the Roman Governor, who could have wished that the Temple had bin turned topsituruie. But because nothing was more fit for procuring uproars than the polluting of the Temple, he doth craftily accuse Paul thereof: as if he should say, that it was no thanks to him that Jerusalem was not on an uproar: and that he carried such a firebrand as might have procured sore hurt, if he had not been prevented. Also he includeth that other thing, that because Paul had offended in matters of religion, it did belong properly to the Jews, to give judgement in that matter. And here he complaineth also of the chief captain Lysias, because he robbed them of their right. Therefore his drift is to obtain at the hands of the Ruler that he will restore to them that which Lysias had taken from them. This is also not void of subtlety, in that Tertullus doeth discredit the chief captain, because he dealt more courteously toward Paul than the Priests would he should: and glancingly he bringeth him in suspicion, because he dare not openly accuse him. But the question is whether they could hope that the Governor would grant them so much, seeing the Roman magistrates alone were to sit upon life and death. I answer that he maketh in this place some semblance of equity, as if they were purposed to handle him more gently than he deserved. For though they might not condemn any man to death, yet they might use some light chastisement as was scourging. Nevertheless Tertullus doth not cease to desire before the president to have him put to death.

6 Who went about to pollute the Temple. It was a light and almost a friuolous accusation to lay this to his charge before the Romane Gouernour, who could haue wished that the Temple had bin turned topsituruie. But because nothing was more fit for procuring vprores than the polluting of the Temple, he doth craftily accuse Paul thereof: as if hee should say, that it was no thankes to him that Ierusalem was not on an vprore: and that hee carried such a firebrande as might haue procured sore hurt, if hee had not beene preuented. Also he includeth that other thing, that because Paul had offended in matters of religion, it did belong properly to the Iewes, to giue iudgement in that matter. And here hee complaineth also of the chiefe captaine Lysias, because hee robbed them of their right. Therefore his drift is to obtaine at the hands of the Ruler that he wil restore to them that which Lysias had taken from thē. This is also not voide of subtiltie, in that Tertullus doeth discredite the chiefe captaine, because hee dealt more courteously toward Paul than the Priests would he should: and glauncingly hee bringeth him in suspition, because hee dare not openly accuse him. But the question is whether they could hope that the Gouernour would graunt them so much, seing the Romane magistrates alone were to sit vppon life and death. I answere that hee maketh in this place some semblance of equitie, as if they were purposed to handle him more gentlie than hee deserued. For though they might not condemne any man to death, yet they might vse some light chastisement as was scourging. Neuerthelesse Tertullus doth not cease to desire before the president to haue him put to death.