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…

21 They were all amazed. This is added, that we may know that the power of God was acknowledged. For seeing that the zeal of Paul against the Gospel was openly known, they saw no other cause of such a sudden change, but the hand of God. And therefore this is also one fruit of the miracle, that they all wonder at him being made a new man so suddenly, so that his doctrine doth the more move their minds. Whereas they say that he raged horribly with great cruelty, and that he came of late to Damascus, that he might proceed in his purpose: these circumstances serve to augment the miracle. We must also note the phrase, those which call upon this name: which witnesseth that the godly did so profess the name of Christ, that they placed all their hope of salvation in him: according to that, These men put their trust in chariots, and others in horses, but we will call upon the name of the Lord. Finally whatsoever the scripture commandeth concerning calling upon the name of God, it agreeth to the person of Christ.

21 They were all amased. This is added, that wee may knowe that the power of God was acknowledged. For seeing that the zeale of Paul against the Gospel was openly knowne, they saw no other cause of such a sodaine chaunge, but the hand of God. And therefore this is also one fruite of the myracle, that they all wonder at him being made a newe man so sodainly, so that his doctrine doth the more moue their minds. Whereas they say that hee raged horriblie with great crueltie, and that he came of late to Damascus, that he might proceed in his purpose: these circumstances serue to augment the myracle. Wee must also note the phrase, those which call vpon this name: which witnesseth that the godly did so professe the name of Christ, that they placed all their hope of saluation in him: according to that, These men put their trust in chariots, and others in horses, but we will call vpon the name of the Lord. Finally whatsoeuer the scripture commaundeth concerning calling vpon the name of God, it agreeth to the person of Christ.

22 And Saul waxed stronger. Luke doeth not only in this place commend the bold zeal of Paul in confessing the faith of Christ: but also he telleth us that he used strong reasons to convince the Jews: He waxed strong, saith he, that is, he gat the victory in disputation, his confession did carry with it great force and efficacy, because being furnished with testimonies of Scripture, and such other helps of the holy Ghost, he did as it were tread all his adversaries under his feet. For the word confounded which Luke useth, doth signify, That, for as much as Paul did urge them out of measure, they were so stricken that they could not tell where they were. The manner of the confounding is expressed, because Paul proved that Jesus was Christ. For the sense is this, that even when the Jews were most desirous to resist, they were overcome & confounded. So that Paul tried by experience, that that was most true which he himself affirmeth, that the Scripture is profitable to convince. Also he performed that which he required elsewhere, of a Bishop and teacher: for he was armed with the word of God to maintain the trueth. And Luke setteth down two things: that Paul so gate the victory in disputing,