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…

24 When he saw a certain man. Moses came not to this spectacle by chance, but forasmuch as God had appointed him to be the deliverer of his people, he would have him show forth this token, & as it were make this beginning. For Stephen doth plainly express, that he did attempt nothing unadvisedly: but did that which became him, that was appointed to be a deliverer of the people, knowing that he was thereunto called. For unless God had armed him and made him puissant, it had been a thing altogether unlawful for him to kill any man, how wicked soever he had bin. It is a godly deed & praise worthy, for a man to set himself against the wicked, to defend the good against the injuries of the wicked, to bridle their violence: but it is not for a private person to punish or take vengeance. Therefore it was unlawful for Moses to slay the Egyptian, save only in as much as the Lord had put the sword in his hand according to the right of his calling. But this heroical courage and nobleness of heart was a work of the holy ghost: because God doth mightily show forth his power in those whom he appointeth unto great matters, that they may be able to fulfil their function. In sum, Stephen meaneth that Moses was even then offered to be the minister of deliverance, when the day was at hand according to the covenant made with Abraham: yet did the people hope for nothing less.

24 When he saw a certaine man. Moses came not to this spectacle by chaunce, but forasmuch as God had appointed him to be the deliuerer of his people, he would haue him shew foorth this token, & as it were make this beginning. For Steeuen doth plainly expresse, that he did attempt nothing vnaduisedly: but did that which became him, that was appointed to bee a deliuerer of the people, knowing that hee was thereunto called. For vnlesse God had armed him and made him puissaunt, it had been a thing altogether vnlawfull for him to kill any man, how wicked soeuer he had bin. It is a godly deed & praise worthy, for a mā to set himselfe against the wicked, to defend the good against the iniuries of the wicked, to bridle their violence: but it is not for a priuate person to punish or take vengeāce. Therfore it was vnlawfull for Moses to slea the Egyptiā, saue only in as much as the Lord had put the sword in his hand according to the right of his calling. But this heroicall courage and noblenesse of heart was a work of the holy ghost: because God doth mightily shew foorth his power in those whō he appointeth vnto great matters, that they may be able to fulfill their function. In summe, Steeuen meaneth that Moses was euen then offered to be the minister of deliuerance, when the day was at hand according to the couenant made with Abraham: yet did the people hope for nothing lesse.