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…

Of all things which he began. I do not greatly mislike the interpretation which some give of this place, that Luke said rather of all, then all, because it is possible in some measure, to entreat of the works and doctrine of Christ. But to set down the whole course, that the narration may be perfect, were a matter of great weight. Like as John doth declare that the world could not contain the books.¹ That is also to be noted, that Luke saith, that he began his history at the beginning of the works of Christ. But so soon as he hath declared the nativity of Christ, he passeth over unto the twelfth year of his age:² and after he had briefly spoken of his disputation had in the temple with the doctors, passing over XVIII. years without speaking any thing of them, he entereth the just narration of the works of Christ. It is therefore manifest that those works and sayings only, which make any thing unto the sum of our salvation, are noted in this place. For after that Christ came abroad into the world clothed with our flesh, he lived privately at home until he was XXX. years of age, at which time his Father put upon him another manner of person. God would have him to lead the former part of his life obscurely, to this end, that the knowledge of these things might be more excellent which do edify our faith.

Of all things which he began. I do not greatly mislike the interpretation which some giue of this place, that Luke saide rather of all, then all, because it is possible in some measure, to intreat of the workes and doctrin of Christ. But to set downe the whole course, that the narration may be perfect, were a matter of great weight. Like as Iohn doth declare that the world could not conteine the bookes.¹ That is also to be noted, that Luke saith, that he began his historie at the beginning of the workes of Christ. But so soon as he hath declared the natiuity of Christ, he passeth ouer vnto the twelfth yeare of his age:² and after he had briefly spoken of his disputation had in the temple with the doctors, passing ouer XVIII. yeares without speaking any thing of them, he entereth the iust narration of the workes of Christ. It is therefore manifest that those workes and sayings onely, which make any thing vnto the sum of our saluation, are noted in this place. For after that Christ came abroad into the world clothed with our flesh, he liued priuatly at home vntil he was XXX. yeeres of age, at which time his Father put vpon him another manner of person. God woulde haue him to leade the former part of his life obscurely, to this ende, that the knowledge of these things might be more excellent which do edifie our faith.