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…

38 Jesus of Nazareth. He calleth him a Nazarite here, not because he was borne there, but because he came thence to execute his office. Again because he was surnamed thus commonly. He saith that he was ⟨p. 257⟩anointed with the Spirit and power by hypallage. For the power wherein Christ exceeded proceeded from the Spirit alone. Therefore when as the heavenly father anointed his son, he furnished him with the power of his Spirit. Peter saith immediately after, that this power appeared in miracles: although he expresseth one kind only in plain words, that Christ testified, that he was endowed with power of the holy Ghost, that he might do good in the world. For it was not meet that the fearful power of God should be showed forth in him: but such as might allure the world with the sweet taste of goodness and grace to love him and to desire him. The metaphor of Anointing is usual so often as mention is made of the gifts of the holy ghost: it is now applied unto the person of Christ: because by this means he was consecrated a king and Priest by his father. And we know that in time of the Law oil was a solemn token of consecration. The Going of Christ is taken for the course of his calling: as if he should say that he fulfilled his function until the time appointed before. The similitude is taken from travellers which go forward in their journey, until they come unto the appointed place. Although he showeth therewithal that he walked through Judea in three years, so that no corner was without his good deeds.

38 Iesus of Nazareth. He calleth him a Nazarite here, not because he was borne there, but because hee came thence to execute his office. Againe because he was surnamed thus commonly. He saith that hee was ⟨p. 257⟩annointed with the Spirite and power by hypallage. For the power wherein Christ exceeded proceeded from the Spirite alone. Therefore when as the heauenly father annointed his son, hee furnished him with the power of his Spirit. Peter saith immediatly after, that this power appeared in myracles: although hee expresseth one kinde onely in plaine words, that Christ testified, that he was endewed with power of the holy Ghost, that he might do good in the world. For it was not meete that the fearefull power of God should bee shewed forth in him: but such as might allure the worlde with the sweete tast of goodnesse and grace to loue him and to desire him. The metaphore of Annointing is vsuall so often as mention is made of the gifts of the holy ghost: it is now applied vnto the person of Christ: because by this meanes he was consecrated a king and Priest by his father. And we know that in time of the Law oile was a solemne token of consecration. The Going of Christ is taken for the course of his calling: as if he should say that he fulfilled his function vntil the time appointed before. The similitude is taken from trauellers which go forward in their iorney, vntill they come vnto the appointed place. Although he sheweth therewithall that he walked through Iudea in three yeeres, so that no corner was without his good deeds.