Acts 12-18

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:9

Verse 9 9.He knew not that it was true. He did not think that it was a vain or false visor, as Satan doth oftentimes delude men with jugglings; buttrue is taken in this place for that which is done naturally and after the manner of men. For we must note the contrariety [antithesis] that is between the thing itself and the vision. Furthermore, though he think that it is a vision, yet doth he willingly obey; whereby his obedience is proved, whilst that being content with the commandment of the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:10

Verse 10 10.When they were past. God was able to have carried Peter away in the turning of an hand; (758) but he overcometh diverse straits one after another, that the glory of the miracle might be the greater. So he created the world in six days, (Genesis 1:0.) not because he had any need of space of thee, but that he might the better stay us in the meditating upon his works, (Exodus 20:11,) for he applieth the manner of doing unto our capacity, and unto the increase of faith. If Peter had at... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:11

Verse 11 11.Then Peter returning to himself. It is word for word, being made in himself, because, being before astonied with a strange and incredible thing, he was, as it were, without himself. But now at length, as it were after a trance, he knoweth that he is delivered from death. His words set down by Luke contain a thanksgiving; for he extolleth with himself the benefit of God which he had tried, [experienced,] and whereof he had tasted, and he doth highly commend it with himself, until he... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:12

Verse 12 12.Into the house of Mary It appeareth that she was a matron of rare godliness, whose house was, as it were, a certain temple of God, where the brethren did use to meet together. And Luke saith that there were many assembled there, because, seeing they could not all meet together in one place without fear of some tumult, they came together in diverse places of the city in companies, as they could conveniently. For, doubtless, there were other companies gathered together elsewhere,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:15

Verse 15 15.When he did knock at the gate. Whereas they think that the maid is mad, which telleth them that Peter was come; we gather by this, that they did not hope or look for Peter’s deliverance, and yet we will not say that they prayed without faith; because they looked for some other success, to with that Peter being armed with power from heaven, should be ready, whether it were by life or death, to glorify God, (759) that the flock being terrified with the violent invasion of wolves might... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:17

Verse 17 17.Tell James and the brethren: By brethren I understand not every one that was of the Church but the apostles and elders. For though it were requisite that the miracle should be made known to all, yet will Peter worthily for honor’s sake, have his fellows in office to be certified thereof. Ecclesiastical writers after Eusebius report that this James was one of the disciples; but forasmuch as Paul reckoneth him in the number of the three pillars of the Church, (Galatians 2:9,) I do not... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:18

Verse 18 18.When it was day. Luke returneth now unto Herod and the soldiers; and he saith that there was no small ado amongst them. For they could not suspect that Peter was taken from them by violence, or that he was escaped by some subtle shift. Herod examineth the matter afterward as a judge; but when as he perceived that the soldiers were in no fault, he himself is also enforced to be a witness of the deliverance wrought by God. Whereas he commandeth them to be carried out of his sight, or... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:20

Verse 20 20.A worthy (761) history, which doth not only show, as it were in a glass, what end is prepared for the enemies of the Church, but also how greatly God hateth pride. The Scripture saith that “God resisteth the proud,” (1 Peter 5:5.) God himself did show a lively image thereof in the person of Herod. And assuredly men cannot extol themselves higher than becometh them, but they shall make war with God, who, to the end he may surpass all, (762) commandeth all flesh to keep silence. And... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:21

Verse 21 21.Upon an appointed day. Luke saith that the men of Tyrus and Sidon had peace granted them, because this was the occasion of the king’s oration, without doubt, that he might make them his underlings hereafter. The same history is extant in Josephus, in his Nineteenth Book of Antiquities, save only that he calleth him everywhere Agrippa, whom Luke calleth Herod. It is to be thought that Agrippa was his proper name, and that he was called by none other name so long as he was a private... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:23

Verse 23 23.Forthwith he smote him. As, before, the angel was a minister of God’s grace in the delivery of Peter, so now he taketh vengeance upon Herod. And God doth sometimes use the ministry of angels in heaven in punishing; but sometimes he maketh the devils as hangmen, by whose hand he executeth his judgments. And this doth he as well toward his faithful servants as toward the reprobate. Saul was troubled and vexed by Satan, (1 Samuel 16:14) but the same did also befall holy Job, (Job... read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:9

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:10

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:11

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:12

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:15

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:17

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:18

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:20

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:21

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 12:23

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