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…

36 There arose one Theudas. If we credit Josephus, Gamaliel altereth in this place the true course of the history. For he reporteth that Judas Gaulanites, who was borne in Gamala, at such time as Quirinius, or Cyrenius was Proconsul, did raise a tumult with his adherents, because they would not have their goods taxed: and that Theudas at such time as Cuspius Fadus was Procurator, did boast that he was a Prophet of God. And Fadus was sent into Judea by Claudius Caesar. The former history is recorded in the eighteenth book of Antiquities: and the other in the twentieth. But I think that when Luke saith, After him was there one Judas: he meant not to note the course of time as if he were the latter: but forasmuch as Gamaliel brought in two like examples, he might put the one in place of the other, without having respect of time. Therefore the word post, is as much as Moreover, or besides. Furthermore even these examples wherewith Gamaliel confirmeth his opinion, do not sufficiently agree with the present cause. For, because they did not by and by resist Judas, that sedition which he had raised, was the occasion of many murders, and at length he was vanquished with hand and weapon. Theudas also had done far more hurt, unless he had been put to flight in time by Cuspius Fadus. But Gamaliel hath respect unto this alone, that men have unlucky success when as they advance themselves unadvisedly: and that cometh to pass by the just judgement of God. But because the Priests refuse to hearken when God giveth them good counsel, they are worthy to be made amazed by man with frivolous reasons, wavering hither & thither through foolish perplexity. Furthermore if we cast the time, we shall find that it was twelve years at least after the death of Christ, before the Apostles were beaten. For unto the five years, which remained of the government of Tiberius, we must add three and one half, which Caligula reigned. Fadus was not sent by Claudius into Judea, before the second or third year of his reign. Gamaliel rehearseth not the act within a day or two after. Therefore that space of time is complete whereof I spake. Wherefore the constancy of the Apostles was the more excellent, who though they be so evil rewarded for those long pains which they had endured, yet are they not discouraged, neither do they cease to hold on as they had begun.

36 There arose one Theudas. If we credit Iosephus, Gamaliel altereth in this place the true course of the historie. For hee reporteth that Iudas Gaulanites, who was borne in Gamala, at such time as Quirinius, or Cyrenius was Proconsull, did raise a tumult with his adherentes, because they woulde not haue their goods taxed: and that Theudas at such time as Cuspius Fadus was Procuratour, did boast that hee was a Prophet of God. And Fadus was sent into Iudea by Claudius Caesar. The former hystorie is recorded in the eighteenth booke of Antiquities: and the other in the twentith. But I thinke that when Luke saith, After him was there one Iudas: he meant not to note the course of time as if he were the latter: but forasmuch as Gamaliel brought in two like examples, he might put the one in place of the other, without hauing respect of time. Therefore the worde post, is as much as Moreouer, or besides. Furthermore euen these examples wherewith Gamaliel confirmeth his opinion, doe not sufficiently agree with the present cause. For, because they did not by and by resist Iudas, that sedition which he had raised, was the occasion of many murthers, and at length he was vanquished with hand and weapon. Theudas also had done farre more hurt, vnlesse he had beene put to flight in time by Cuspius Fadus. But Gamaliel hath respect vnto this alone, that men haue vnlucky successe when as they auance themselues vnaduisedly: and that commeth to passe by the iust iudgement of God. But because the Priestes refuse to harken when God giueth them good coūsel, they are worthy to be made amased by mā with friuilous reasons, wauering hither & thither through foolish perplexitie. Furthermore if wee cast the time, wee shall finde that it was twelue yeeres at least after the death of Christ, before the Apostles were beaten. For vnto the fiue yeeres, which remained of the gouernement of Tyberius, we must adde three and one halfe, which Caligula reigned. Fadus was not sent by Claudius into Iudea, before the second or thirde yeere of his reigne. Gamaliel rehearseth not the act within a day or two after. Therefore that space of time is complete whereof I spake. Wherefore the constancie of the Apostles was the more excellent, who though they bee so euill rewarded for those longe paines which they had endured, yet are they not discouraged, neither doe they cease to holde on as they had begunne.