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…

13 At midday, O king. The narration tendeth to this end, that king Agrippa may understand that it was no vain visor or ghost, neither was it any such trance as brought him into some madness, so that he was destitute of judgement. For though he fell to the earth for fear, yet he heareth a plain voice: he asketh who it was that spake: he understandeth the answer which was made: which are signs that he was not beside himself. Hereupon it followeth that he did not rashly change his mind, but did godlily and holily obey the heavenly oracle: least he should of set purpose proceed to strive against God.

13 At midday, O king. The narration tendeth to this end, that king Agrippa may vnderstand that it was no vaine visure or ghost, neyther was it any such traunce as brought him into some madnesse, so that hee was destitute of iudgement. For though he fell to the earth for fear, yet he heareth a plaine voice: he asketh who it was that spake: hee vnderstandeth the answere which was made: which are signes that he was not beside himselfe. Hereupon it followeth that hee did not rashly chaunge his minde, but did godlily and holily obey the heauenly oracle: least he should of set purpose proceed to striue against God.

16 But rise. Christ did throw down Paul that he might humble him: now he lifteth him up, and biddeth him be of good courage. And even we are daily thrown down by his voice to this end, that we may be taught to be modest: but look whom he throweth down, he doth raise the same again gently. And this is no small consolation, when Christ saith that he appeared to him not as a revenger to plague him for his madness, for those stripes which he had unjustly and cruelly given, for his bloody sentences, or for that trouble wherewith he had troubled the Saints, for his wicked resisting of the Gospel: but as a merciful Lord, intending to use his industry, and to call him to an honourable ministry. For he made him a witness of those things which he saw and which he should afterward see. This vision was worthy to be recorded, by which he learned that Christ reigneth in heaven, that he might no longer proudly contemn him: but acknowledge that he is the son of God, and the promised redeemer, he had other revelations afterward,