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…

Whom ye have delivered. He mingleth with doctrine a most sharp chiding, according as the matter did require. For it was unpossible to bring them truly unto God, unless they were first brought to the knowledge of their sins. Neither doth he only lightly touch them, but he doeth very gravely show them the horribleness of that offence, which they had committed. To this end tendeth that comparison, that they delivered him to be put to death, whom Pilate would have loosed. And again, that pardoning a murderer, they put the prince of life to death: that they did reject the just & holy. Men must be so stricken, that being ⟨p. 74⟩brought to know their guiltiness, they may earnestly fly unto the remedy of pardon. Such vehemency and earnestness did Peter also use in his first sermon. He saith afterward that God raised him up. Whereby they ought to know, that in putting Christ to death, they did strive against God. Although Peter had respect unto an higher thing: to wit, that their cruelty did no whit impair the glory of Christ because God had nevertheless restored him to life. When as he saith, that he and his fellows in office were witnesses of the resurrection, his meaning is, that they saw it with their eyes.¹ Therefore this is referred not only unto the Apostolical function: but because they saw Christ with their eyes after that he was risen from the dead. Although I do also grant that this second thing is comprehended under these words: Because it is likely that Peter doeth make mention of that function which was committed unto him, to the end he may purchase the greater authority.

Whom ye haue deliuered. Hee mingleth with doctrine a most sharpe chiding, according as the matter did require. For it was vnpossible to bring them truly vnto God, vnlesse they were first brought to the knowledge of their sinnes. Neither doth he only lightly touch them, but hee doeth very grauely shewe them the horriblenesse of that offence, which they had committed. To this ende tendeth that comparison, that they deliuered him to be put to death, whom Pilate would haue loosed. And againe, that pardoning a murtherer, they put the prince of life to death: that they did reiect the iust & holy. Men must bee so stricken, that being ⟨p. 74⟩brought to knowe their giltines, they may earnestly flie vnto the remedie of pardon. Such vehemencie and earnestnesse did Peter also vse in his first sermon. He saith afterward that God raised him vppe. Whereby they ought to know, that in putting Christe to death, they did striue against God. Although Peter had respect vnto an higher thing: to wit, that their crueltie did no whit impayre the glory of Christ because God had neuerthelesse restored him to life. When as he saith, that he and his fellowes in office were witnesses of the resurrection, his meaning is, that they saw it with their eyes.