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…

12 And by the hands of the Apostles were done many signs and wonders amongst the people. And they were all with one accord in the porch of Solomon. 13 And of the other durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. 14 And the multitude of those that believed in the Lord both of men and women, grew more and more. 15 So that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them in beds and couches, that at the least way the shadow of Peter as he came, might shadow some of them. 16 And a multitude of the next cities came together to Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those which were vexed with unclean spirits, which were all healed.

12 And by the handes of the Apostles were done manie signes and woonders amongst the people. And they were all with one accord in the porch of Solomon. 13 And of the other durst no man ioyn himselfe to them: but the people magnified them. 14 And the multitude of those that beleeued in the Lorde both of men and women, grew more and more. 15 So that they brought foorth the sicke into the streetes, and laid them in beds and couches, that at the least way the shadowe of Peter as he came, might shadow some of them. 16 And a multitude of the next cities came together to Ierusalem, bringing their sicke and those which were vexed with vncleane spirites, which were all healed.

12 He returneth to miracles of another sort, which are more proper to the gospel: to wit, whereby Christ doth not only declare his power, but also his goodness: to the end he may allure men unto himself with the sweetness of his grace. For he came to save the world, and not to condemn it. Therefore whereas the sick are healed, and other are delivered from devils, these benefits done to the body, do represent the spiritual grace of Christ: and therefore they agree with his natural office, that I may so speak. That fearful sign which was showed in Ananias and Sapphira, came to pass extraordinarily. Luke sayeth that the church was increased by miracles, because they serve for faith (as we have said) to prepare some, to confirm other some. Whereby that is proved again, which I have said else where, that miracles must never be separated from the word. Luke showeth the multitude of miracles by this, in that the sick were brought forth every where, that they might be healed. For God meant thus to set forth the Gospel of his son, especially at the beginning: that he might for a certainty testify to the Jews, that that restoring of all things was present, which was so often promised, and in which all their hope was reposed, as they themselves did pretend, and make semblance. It is well known that Couches were certain little beds in which the men of old were wont to rest at noon. Because they might the more easily carry them out, they laid the sick in them.