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…

17 Having laid his hands upon. We have said elsewhere that this was a solemn, and as it were an ordinary thing amongst the Jews, to lay their hands upon those whom they did commend to God. The Apostles translated that custom taken from sacrifices, to their use: either when they gave the visible graces of the Spirit: or when they made any man minister of the Church. To this end doth Ananias lay his hands now upon Paul, partly that he may consecrate him unto God, partly that he may obtain for him the gifts of the Spirit. And though there be no mention made of doctrine in this place, yet it shall appear afterward by Pauls narration, that Ananias was also commanded to teach him, and by Baptism which was later in order, we gather that he was instructed in the faith. Let the readers note out of the Chapter next going before, how this ceremony is effectual to give the Spirit. But seeing Paul received the Spirit by the hand of Ananias, the papists are more than ridiculous, who will have the Bishops alone to lay on their hands.

17 Hauing laid his hands vpon. We haue said elsewhere that this was a solemne, and as it were an ordinarie thing amongst the Iewes, to lay their hands vpon those whom they did commende to God. The Apostles translated that custome taken from sacrifices, to their vse: either when they gaue the visible graces of the Spirite: or when they made any man minister of the Church. To this end doth Ananias lay his hands now vpon Paul, partly that hee may consecrate him vnto God, partlie that he may obtaine for him the gifts of the Spirit. And though there be no mention made of doctrine in this place, yet it shall appeare afterward by Pauls narration, that Ananias was also commaunded to teach him, and by Baptisme which was later in order, we gather that he was instructed in the faith. Let the readers note out of the Chapter next going before, how this ceremonie is effectual to giue the Spirit. But seeing Paul receiued the Spirite by the hand of Ananias, the papistes are more than ridiculous, who will haue the Byshops alone to lay on their hands.

18 There fell from his eyes as it had ben scales. The blindness of Paul, as we have said before, did not proceed from fear alone, or from amazedness: but by this means was he admonished of his former blindness, that he might quite abandon that boldness and vain confidence wherewith he was puffed up.