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 And Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also my self hear the man. To morrow saith he, thou shalt hear him. 23 And on the morrow when Agrippa was come and Bernice with great pomp, and was entered into the common hall with the chief captains, and the principal men of the city: at Festus commandment Paul was brought. 24 And Festus saith, king Agrippa, and all men which are present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews hath called upon me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying that he ought not to live any longer. 25 Yet have I found that he hath committed nothing worthy of death. And because he hath appealed unto Augustus, I have determined to send him. 26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my Lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth unto you, and chiefly unto thee O king Agrippa, that after examination had, I may have somewhat to write. 27 For it seemeth to me an unmeet thing to send a prisoner, and not to show the crimes whereof he is accused.

22 And Agrippa said vnto Festus, I would also my self hear the man. To morow saith he, thou shalt heare him. 23 And on the morrow when Agrippa was come and Bernice with great pompe, and was entred into the common hall with the chiefe captaines, and the principall men of the citie: at Festus commaundement Paul was brought. 24 And Festus saith, king Agrippa, and all men which are present with vs, yee see this man, about whome all the multitude of the Iewes hath called vppon mee, both at Ierusalem and heere, crying that hee ought not to liue any longer. 25 Yet haue I found that he hath committed nothing worthie of death. And because hee hath appealed vnto Augustus, I haue determined to sende him. 26 Of whom I haue no certaine thing to write vnto my Lord. Wherefore I haue brought him foorth vnto you, and chiefly vnto thee O king Agrippa, that after examination had, I may haue somewhat to write. 27 For it seemeth to me an vnmeet thing to send a prisoner, and not to shew the crimes whereof he is accused.

22 I would also. By this we may gather that Agrippa did so desire to hear Paul that he was ashamed to make his desire known, least Festus should think that he came for some other end then to salute him. And it may be that not only curiosity did move him to be desirous to hear Paul: but because he did hope to profit by hearing him. Notwithstanding we may easily gather by this, how cold his desire was, because he suffered many days to pass before he showeth any sign of his desire: because he was more in love with earthly commodities which he counted better. Neither durst he make any words, neither did he pass for uttering any speech until such time as Festus did of his own accord will him so to do. So that the holy minister of Christ is brought forth as on a stage, that a profane man may cheer up his guest: save only that Festus will be holpen with the advise of Agrippa and his company, that he may let Caesar understand how diligent he is. But the matter was turned to another end by the secrete providence of God: neither ned we doubt, but that such report went abroad, as made much for the confirmation of the godly, and it may be also that some of the hearers were touched, and did conceive seed of faith, which did afterward bring forth fruit in due time. But admit none of them did embrace Christ sincerely & from his heart, this was no small profit, that the unskilful were appeased after that the malice of the enemies was discovered, that