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…

29 He disputed with the Grecians. Erasmus noteth well in this place, that those are here called Grecians, not which came of Grecians, but rather those Jews, who were scattered throughout divers parts of the world. Those men were wont to come together to Jerusalem to worship. ⟨p. 225⟩And it is to be thought that Paul disputed rather with strangers and aliens, than with those who dwelt at Jerusalem, because this latter sort would never have abide him, neither had it been wisely done to come in their sight. Therefore being excluded from those who knew him before, he tried whether there were any hope to do good amongst men whom he knew not: so that he did most stoutly whatsoever concerned the duty of a valiant soldier.

29 Hee disputed with the Grecians. Erasmus noteth well in this place, that those are here called Grecians, not which came of Grecians, but rather those Iewes, who were scattered throughout diuers parts of the world. Those men were wont to come togither to Ierusalem to worship. ⟨p. 225⟩And it is to be thought that Paul disputed rather with straungers and aliants, than with those who dwelt at Ierusalem, because this latter sort would neuer haue abid him, neither had it bene wisely done to come in their sight. Therefore being excluded from those who knew him before, he tried whether there were any hope to doe good amongst men whom he knew not: so that he did most stoutly whatsoeuer concerned the duty of a valiant soldiar.

They would have slain him. Behold again fury in stead of zeal: and it cannot otherwise be, but that hypocrisy and superstition will be cruel and fierce. The godly must be incensed with an holy wrath, when they see the pure truth of God corrupt with false and wicked opinions: yet so that they moderate their zeal, that they set down nothing until they have throughly weighed the cause: and secondly that they assay to bring those into the way who wander out of the same. Lastly that if they see their stubbornness to be past hope, they themselves take not the sword in hand, because they must know that they have no authority granted them of the Lord to punish or revenge. But hypocrites are always ready to shed blood before they know the matter. So that superstition is bloody through blind and headlong fury. But Paul who of late ran up and down to vex the godly, can abide no where now. And yet this estate was far better for him, than if he should have reigned in peace and quietness, driving the godly every where out of their places.