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…

10 Two men, He calleth them so, by reason of their form. For although it might be that they had the bodies of men in deed, concerning which thing I will not greatly stand in defence of either part, yet ⟨p. 13⟩certain it is, they were not men. But because this Metonymia is commonly used in the scriptures, especially in the first book of Moses: I will not greatly stand thereupon. Their white garments were a token of rare & excellent dignity. For God meant by this, as by an evident token to distinguish them from the common sort of people, that the disciples might give better care unto them: and that at this day we also may know that this vision was showed them of God.

10 Two men, Hee calleth them so, by reason of their forme. For although it might be that they had the bodies of men in deed, concerning which thing I will not greatly stande in defence of either part, yet ⟨p. 13⟩certaine it is, they were not men. But because this Metonymia is commō ly vsed in the scriptures, especially in the first booke of Moses: I will not greatly stand thereupon. Their white garments were a token of rare & excellent dignitie. For God meant by this, as by an euident token to distinguish them from the commō sort of people, that the disciples might giue better care vnto them: and that at this day we also may knowe that this vision was shewed them of God.

Ye men of Galilee, &c. I am not of their opinion, who think that this name was given the Apostles after an opprobrious sort, as if the Angels meant to reprehend the slowness & dullness of the apostles. In my opinion it was rather to make them more attentive, in that men whom they did never see before did name them, as though they had perfectly known them. But they seem to be reprehended without cause, for looking up into heaven. For where should they rather seek for Christ, than in heaven? Doth not the scriptures also oftentimes exhort us thereunto? I answer, that they were not therefore reprehended, because they looked up towards heaven; but because they coveted to see Christ, when as the cloud, which was put between them and him, did keep them from seeing him with their bodily senses: Secondly, because they hoped that he would return again straight way, that they might enjoy the sight of him again, when as he did ascend to stay in the heavens, until such time as he should come to judge the world. Wherefore let us first learn out of this place, that we must not seek Christ either in heaven, either upon earth, otherwise than by faith: & also that we must not desire to have him present with us bodily in the world: for he that doth either of those two, shall oftentimes go farther from him. So this their admiration is reprehended, not simply, but inasmuch as they were astonied at the strangeness of this matter: like as we are oftentimes carried unadvisedly into a wonderful great wondering at Gods works: but we never apply our selves to consider for what end and purpose they were done.