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…

34 For doubtless David. Although they might easily gather by the very effect which they saw with their eyes, that the principality was granted and given to Christ, yet to the end his glory may carry the greater credit, he proveth by David his testimony, that it was so appointed in times past by God, that Christ should be lifted up unto the highest degree of honour. For these words to sit at the right hand of God, import as much as to bear the chief rule, as we shall afterward more at large declare. Yet before he reciteth the prophecy, he sayeth, That it agreeth only to Christ. Therefore to the end the sense may be more manifest, the sentence must thus run. David pronounceth that it was decreed by God that a king should sit at his right hand. But this doeth not appertain unto David, who was never extolled unto so great dignity. Therefore he speaketh this of Christ. Furthermore that ought to have seemed no strange thing unto the Jews, which was foretold by the Oracle of the holy Ghost. Hereby it appeareth in what sense Peter denieth, that David ascended into heaven. He entreateth not in this place of the soul of David, whether it were received into blessed rest, and the heavenly dwelling or no: but the ascending into heaven comprehendeth under it those things which Paul teacheth in the Epistle to the Ephesians, the fourth Chapter, where he placeth Christ above all heavens, that he may fulfil all things. Wherefore the disputation concerning the estate of the dead is altogether superfluous in this place. For Peter goeth about to prove no other thing but this, that the prophecy concerning the sitting at the right hand of God, was not fulfilled in David, and that therefore the truth thereof must be sought elsewhere. And for as much as it can be found no where else save only in Jesus Christ: it resteth that the Jews do know that that is showed to them in Christ, ⟨p. 52⟩which was foretold them so long before. That is true indeed, that David reigned, God being the author hereof, and in some respect he was Gods vicegerent: yet not so that he might be above all creatures. Wherefore this sitting agreeth to none, unless he excel and be above all the whole world.

34 For doubtlesse Dauid. Although they might easily gather by the very effect which they sawe with their eyes, that the principalitie was graunted and giuen to Christe, yet to the ende his glory may carrie the greater credite, hee prooueth by Dauid his testimonie, that it was so appointed in times past by God, that Christ should be lifted vppe vnto the highest degree of honour. For these wordes to sit at the right hand of God, import as much as to beare the chiefe rule, as we shall afterwarde more at large declare. Yet before he reciteth the prophesie, he saieth, That it agreeth onely to Christ. Therefore to the ende the sense may bee more manifest, the sentence must thus runne. Dauid pronounceth that it was decreed by God that a king shoulde sit at his right hand. But this doeth not appertaine vnto Dauid, who was neuer extolled vnto so great dignitie. Therefore he speaketh this of Christe. Furthermore that ought to haue seemed no strange thing vnto the Iewes, which was foretold by the Oracle of the holie Ghost. Hereby it appeareth in what sense Peter denieth, that Dauid ascended into heauen. He intreateth not in this place of the soule of Dauid, whether it were receiued into blessed rest, and the heauenlie dwelling or no: but the ascending into heauen comprehendeth vnder it those thinges which Paule teacheth in the Epistle to the Ephesians, the fourth Chapter, where he placeth Christe aboue all heauens, that he may fulfill al things. Wherfore the disputation concerning the estate of the dead is altogether superfluous in this place. For Peter goeth about to proue no other thing but this, that the prophesie concerning the sitting at the right hand of God, was not fulfilled in Dauid, and that therefore the truth thereof must bee sought elswhere. And for as muche as it can bee founde no where els saue onely in Iesus Christe: it resteth that the Iewes doe knowe that that is shewed to them in Christ,