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…

30 Therefore seeing he was a prophet. He showeth by two reasons that it is no marvel, if David do speak of things that should come to pass long after his time: the former is, because he was a prophet. And we know that things to come, & such as are removed far from the knowledge of men, are revealed unto the Prophets. Therefore it were wickedness to measure their speeches according to the common manner and order, which we use in measuring the speeches of other men, forasmuch as they go beyond the long courses of years, having the Spirit for their directer. Whereupon they are also called Seers: because being placed as it were upon an high tower, they see those things which by reason of great distance are hidden from other men. Another reason is, because Christ was promised to him peculiarly. This maxim was so common amongest the Jews, that they had ever now and then the son of David in their mouth, so often as there was any mention made of Christ. They be no such arguments I confess, as do necessarily prove, that this prophecy is to be expounded of Christ: neither was that Peter his intent and purpose: but first he meant to prevent the contrary objection, whence David had such skill to foretell a thing which was unknown. Therefore he sayeth, That he knew Christ, both by prophetical revelation, and also by a singular promise. Furthermore, this principle was of great force amongst the better minded sort, which Paul setteth down,¹ that Christ is the end of the law. No man therefore did doubt of this, but that this was the mark whereat all the Prophets did aim, to lead the Godly unto Christ as it were by the hand. Therefore what notable or extraordinary thing soever they did utter, the Jews were commonly persuaded that it did agree with Christ. Furthermore we must note, that Peter doeth reason soundly, when he gathereth that David was not ignorant of that which was the chiefest point of all revelations.

30 Therfore seeing he was a prophet. He sheweth by two reasons that it is no maruell, if Dauid doe speak of things that should come to passe long after his time: the former is, because hee was a prophet. And wee knowe that things to come, & such as are remoued far from the knowledge of men, are reuealed vnto the Prophetes. Therefore it were wickednesse to measure their speeches according to the common manner and order, which we vse in measuring the speeches of other mē, forasmuch as they goe beyond the long courses of yeeres, hauing the Spirite for their directer. Whereuppon they are also called Seers: because beeing placed as it were vpon an high tower, they see those things which by reason of great distaunce are hidden from other men. Another reason is, because Christ was promised to him peculiarly. This maxime was so common amongest the Iewes, that they had euer now and then the sonne of Dauid in their mouth, so often as there was any mention made of Christ. They bee no such arguments I confesse, as doe necessarilie proue, that this prophesie is to be expounded of Christ: neither was that Peter his intent and purpose: but first he meant to preuent the contrarie obiection, whence Dauid had such skill to foretell a thing which was vnknowen. Therefore he saieth, That hee knewe Christe, both by propheticall reuelation, and also by a singular promise. Furthermore, this principle was of greate force amongst the better minded sort, which Paule setteth downe,