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…

5 It is a thing worthy to be noted in this place, that the wicked do omit no subtlety that they may blot out the Gospel and the name of Christ, & yet do they not obtain that which they hoped for: because god doth make their counsels frustrate. For they make an assembly wherein they do all things so tyrannously, that yet notwithstanding lust beareth a show of right, and liberty is driven far away, and at length, the truth may seem to be condemned by good right. But the Lord bringeth upon them a sudden fear, so that they dare not do that which they can, and which they do most of all desire: whatsoever the Apostles shall bring in defence of their cause, that shall remain buried and shut up with the walls, where there is none which doth bear them any favour. And therefore there is no place left for the truth. Yet we see how the Lord bringeth their counsel to nought, whiles that being kept back with fear of the people, they stay themselves and bridle their fury, to the end they may avoid envy. But I marvel much why Luke doeth m•ke Annas the highest priest in this place, seeing that it appeareth by Josephus, that this honour was not taken from Caiaphas, until Vitellius had entered Jerusalem to bear rule, after that Pilate was commanded to depart unto Rome. All men grant that the Lord was crucified in the eighteenth year of Tiberius And that empire did continue four years longer. And it must needs be, that there were 3. years complete after the death of Christ, before Pilate was put from the office of the proconsul. For when Tiberius was dead, he came to Rome: So that Caiaphas was hie priest yet 3. years after the death of Christ. Wherefore it is to be thought that that whereof Luke speaketh in this place, did not happen immediately after the resurrection of Christ. Although the doubt cannot thus be answered. ⟨p. 88⟩For Josephus reporteth that Jonathan was chosen into the place of Caiaphas: but because this Jonathan was the son of Annas, it is a thing not unlike to be true, that the son was called by the name of the father: as Caiaphas also had two names: for they did also call him Joseph.

5 It is a thing worthie to be noted in this place, that the wicked do omit no subtiltie that they may blot out the Gospell and the name of Christ, & yet do they not obtain that which they hoped for: because god doth make their counsels frustrate. For they make an assemblie wherein they doe all thinges so tyrannously, that yet notwithstanding luste beareth a shew of right, and libertie is driuen farre away, and at length, the truth may seem to be condemned by good right. But the Lord bringeth vpon them a sodain feare, so that they dare not do that which they can, and which they do most of all desire: whatsoeuer the Apostles shall bring in defence of their cause, that shall remaine buried and shut vppe with the walles, where there is none which doth beare them any fauour. And therefore there is no place left for the truth. Yet wee see how the Lord bringeth their counsell to nought, whiles that beeing kept backe with feare of the people, they stay themselues and bridle their furie, to the ende they may auoid enuie. But I maruell much why Luke doeth mke Annas the highest priest in this place, seeing that it appeareth by Iosephus, that this honour was not taken from Caiphas, vntill Vitellius had entred Ierusalem to beare rule, after that Pilate was commanded to depart vnto Rome. All men graunt that the Lord was crucified in the eighteenth yeere of Tiberius And that empire did continue foure yeres longer. And it must needs be, that there were 3. yeres complete after the death of Christ, before Pilate was put from the office of the proconsull. For when Tiberius was dead, he came to Rome: So that Caiphas was hie priest yet 3. yeeres after the death of Christ. Wherfore it is to be thoght that that wherof Luke speaketh in this place, did not happē immediatly after the resurrectiō of Christ. Althogh the dout cānot thus be answered.