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…

6 When he was about to bring him forth. It seemeth at the first blush that the Church prayeth to small purpose: for the day was now appointed wherein Peter should be put to death, and he is within one night of death, and yet the faithful cease not to pray, because they know that when the Lord doeth purpose to deliver his, he taketh his time oftentimes in the last and farthest point of necessity, and that he hath in his hand diverse ways to deliver. Secondly we may think that they did not so much pray for Peters life, as that the Lord would arm him with invincible fortitude, for the glory of the Gospel: and that God would set the gospel of his son, open to the reproaches and slanders of the wicked.

6 When he was about to bring him forth. It seemeth at the first blush that the Church praieth to small purpose: for the day was now appointed wherein Peter should be put to death, and he is within one night of death, and yet the faithfull cease not to pray, because they knowe that when the Lord doeth purpose to deliuer his, hee taketh his time oftentimes in the last and farthest point of necessitie, and that he hath in his hande diuerse wayes to deliuer. Secondly we may thinke that they did not so much pray for Peters life, as that the Lord would arme him with inuincible fortitude, for the glory of the Gospel: and that God would set the gospel of his son, open to the reproches and slanders of the wicked.

That night he slept. Al these circumstances do more set forth the wonderful power of God, for who would not have thought that Peter was already swallowed up of death? for though he drew breath as yet, yet had he no chink to creep out at, for as much as he was beset with many deaths. Therefore whereas he escapeth from amidst deaths, whereas he goeth safely among the hands of his hangmen, whereas the chains are molten and are loosed, whereas the iron gate openeth it self to him: hereby it appeareth that it was a mere divine kind of deliverance, and it was profitable for Peter to be thus taught by these signs, that he might with more assurance forthwith declare unto men the grace of God thus known. Again it appeareth by this strait keeping, that Herod meant nothing less than to let Peter go away alive.