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…

That a great multitude believed. As Luke did before show the power of the Spirit in Paul & Barnabas: so now he commendeth another grace of God in that prosperous success which they had, for one only sermon which they made, was not without fruit, but it brought forth many children of god: as well of the Jews as of the Gentiles. If one, or two, or a few, had believed they might have thought that they sped well, but the Lord confirmeth them far better, when as they gather such plentiful fruit of their doctrine even in a short time. For they knew that so many hearts of men were converted to believe, not so much by their voice, as by the power of the Spirit: whereby they might also assure themselves, that they themselves were defended by the outstretched hand of God: which did not a little in courage them.

That a great multitude beleeued. As Luke did before shewe the power of the Spirit in Paul & Barnabas: so now he commendeth another grace of God in that prosperous successe which they had, for one onely sermon which they made, was not without frute, but it brought forth many childrē of god: as wel of the Iewes as of the Gentiles. If one, or two, or a few, had beleeued they might haue thoght that they sped wel, but the Lorde cōfirmeth thē far better, whē as they gather such plentiful frute of their doctrin euen in a short time. For they knew that so many hearts of men were cōuerted to beleeue, not so much by their voice, as by the power of the Spirit: whereby they might also assure themselues, that they themselues were defended by the outstretched hand of God: which did not a little in courage them.

2 And those Jews which believed not. Lo, they are persecuted now afresh, & that by the Jews. For they were like firebrands to inflame the minds of the Gentiles, For it is to be thought that the Gentiles could abide to hear the gospel preached, unless they had bin incensed to resist by these fans. I interpret cacosai in this place, for to resist with a malicious affection, or to enforce to do hurt, Under the name Brethren, Luke comprehendeth in my judgement all the godly: to wit, that they were vexed and troubled whosoever embraced the gospel, as if some pernicious sect had risen to spread discord, to trouble the peace of the city, to shake the public state. Yet if any had rather restrain it unto Paul and Barnabas, I am not greatly against him.