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…

10 Be it known unto you. Peter might (as I have already said) have turned aside unto many starting holes, if he would not have entered the cause: but because the miracle was wrought, to this end, that the name of Christ might be glorified, he descendeth by and by unto this. For he knew that he was the minister of such excellent power of GOD that ⟨p. 89⟩he might have a seal to confirm his doctrine. In the mean while the wicked, will they nill they, are enforced to hear that which they would have had buried full deep. When they have done what they can, this is all, they cause Peter to avouch and object to their faces, that wherewith they were so grieved, when it was spoken to others. And first he maketh Christ the author of the miracle. Secondly because it seemed to be an absurd and uncredible thing, that a dead man should be endowed with divine power, he testifieth that Christ is alive, because God hath raised him up from the dead, howsoever they had crucified him. So that the miracle giveth him occasion to preach the resurrection of Christ. And by this testimony Peter meant to prove, that he was the true Messiah. He saith that they had crucified him, not only to the end he may upbraid this unto them, that they may acknowledge their fault: but also that they may understand, that they have in vain striven against God: and so consequently cease to rage so unluckily and with such deadly success.

10 Be it knowē vnto you. Peter might (as I haue alredy said) haue turned aside vnto many starting holes, if hee would not haue entred the cause: but because the myracle was wrought, to this ende, that the name of Christ might be glorified, he descendeth by and by vnto this. For hee knewe that he was the minister of such excellent power of GOD that ⟨p. 89⟩he might haue a seale to confirme his doctrine. In the meane while the wicked, will they nill they, are enforced to heare that which they would haue had buried full deepe. When they haue done what they can, this is all, they cause Peter to auouch and obiect to their faces, that wherewith they were so grieued, when it was spoken to others. And first he maketh Christ the authour of the myracle. Secondly because it seemed to be an absurde and vncredible thing, that a deade man should bee endewed with diuine power, he testifieth that Christ is aliue, because God hath raised him vp from the deade, howsoeuer they had crucified him. So that the myracle giueth him occasion to preach the resurrection of Christ. And by this testimonie Peter meant to prooue, that he was the true Messias. He saith that they had crucified him, not onely to the end he may vpbraide this vnto them, that they may acknowledge their fault: but also that they may vnderstand, that they haue in vaine striuen against God: and so consequently cease to rage so vnluckely and with such deadly successe.