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…

Saul, Saul. Luke compared the light which shined round about Paul, to lightning, though I do not doubt but that lightnings did fly in the air. And this voice which Christ did send out to beat down his pride, may full well be called a lightning or thunderbolt, because it did not only strike him, and make him astonied, but did quite kill him, so that he was now as no body with himself, who did so much please himself before, and did challenge to him self authority to put the Gospel to flight. Luke putteth down his name in Hebrew in this place, Saul, Saul, because he repeateth the words of Christ, who spake unto him undoubtedly according to the common custom of the country.

Saul, Saul. Luke compared the light which shined round about Paul, to lightning, though I doe not doubt but that lightninges did flie in the ayre. And this voice which Christ did send out to beat downe his pride, may ful well be called a lightning or thunderbolt, because it did not onely strike him, and make him astonied, but did quite kill him, so that hee was now as no bodie with himselfe, who did so much please himselfe before, and did challenge to him selfe authoritie to put the Gospell to flight. Luke putteth downe his name in Hebrewe in this place, Saul, Saul, because he repeateth the wordes of Christe, who spake vnto him vndoubtedly according to the common custome of the countrie.

5 Who art thou, Lord? We have Paul now somewhat tamed, but he is not yet Christs disciple. Pride is corrected in him, and his fury is brought down, but he is not yet so throughly healed, that he obeyeth Christ: he is only ready to receive commandments, who was before a blasphemer. Therefore this is the question of a man that is afraid, and thrown down with amazedness. For why doeth he not know by so many signs of Gods presence, that it is God that speaketh? Therefore that voice proceeded from a panting and doubtful mind: therefore Christ driveth him nigher unto repentance. When he addeth, I am Jesus, let us remember, that that voice sounded from heaven, therefore it ought to have pierced the mind of Paul, when he considered that he had made war against God hitherto: it ought to have brought him by and by to true submission, when he considered that he should not escape scot-free, if he should continue rebellious against him, whose hand he could not escape. This place containeth a most profitable doctrine: and the profit thereof is manifold. For first Christ showeth what great account he maketh of his Gospel, when he pronounceth that it is his cause, from which he will not be separated.