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…

Went up together. Because these words epi to auto, doth no more signify place than time, this latter sense seemeth better to agree with the text of Peter, yet because it is of no great importance, I leave it indifferent. That is called the ninth hour of prayer, when as the day began to draw towards night. For seeing the day from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof, had twelve hours, as I have said else where, all that time was divided into four parts. So that by the ninth, is meant the last portion of the day: as the first hour did continue unto the third, the third unto the sixth, the sixth unto the ninth. Hence may we gather by a probable conjecture, that that hour was appointed for the evening sacrifice. Furthermore if any man ask, whether the Apostles went up into the Temple that they might pray according to the rite of the law: I do not think that that is a thing so likely to be true, as that they might have better opportunity to spread abroad the Gospel. And if any man will abuse this place, as if it were lawful for us to use and take up superstitious worshippings, whilst that we are conversant amongst the ignorant and weak, his reason shall be frivolous. The Lord appointed that the Jews should offer sacrifice, morning and evening. By this exercise were they taught,¹ to begin and end the day with calling upon the name of God, and with worshipping him. Therefore Peter and John might freely come into the Temple, which was consecrated to God: neither did they pollute themselves, seeing they called upon the God of Israel, that they might thereby declare their Godliness. First in that the Lord would have the old people to observe the appointed hours: we gather thereby that the Church cannot be without certain Discipline. And even at this day were it profitable for us to have such meetings daily, unless our too too much sluggishness did let us. And whereas the Apostles go up at that hour, hereby we gather that we must forslow no opportunity that is offered us for the furtherance of the Gospel.

Went vp togither. Because these words epi to auto, doth no more signifie place than time, this latter sense seemeth better to agree with the text of Peter, yet because it is of no great importance, I leaue it indifferent. That is called the ninth houre of prayer, when as the day began to drawe towards night. For seeing the day from the rising of the sunne vnto the going downe thereof, had twelue houres, as I haue saide else where, all that time was deuided into foure partes. So that by the ninth, is meant the last portion of the day: as the first houre did continue vnto the third, the third vnto the sixt, the sixt vnto the ninth. Hence may we gather by a probable coniecture, that that houre was appointed for the euening sacrifice. Furthermore if any man aske, whether the Apostles went vp into the Temple that they might pray according to the rite of the law: I do not think that that is a thing so likely to be true, as that they might haue better oportunity to spread abroad the Gospel. And if any man will abuse this place, as if it were lawfull for vs to vse and take vp superstitious worshippings, whilest that wee are conuersant amongst the ignorant and weake, his reason shall bee friuolous. The Lorde appointed that the Iewes shoulde offer sacrifice, morning and euening. By this exercise were they taught,