That he may pass over unto those things which followed the ascension of Christ, he briefly gathereth the sum of all those which before he had handled in the former book, that he may annex this thereunto. And he briefly setteth down this description of the history of the gospel, that it is a narratio... [ Continue Reading ]
2_Even until that day. _Therefore, the ascension of Christ is the end of the history of the gospel. For he hath ascended, saith Paul, that he might fulfill all things, (Ephesians 4:10.) Our faith gathereth other fruit thereby; but it shall be sufficient to note in this place, that our redemption was... [ Continue Reading ]
3._Unto whom, etc _He addeth this, that he might make the resurrection to be believed, as a thing most necessary to be known, and without the which the whole gospel falleth fiat to the ground, neither remaineth there any more faith. And that I may omit to speak of other discommodities that come by b... [ Continue Reading ]
4._Gathering them together, he commanded, etc _They had before done the duty of Apostles; but that lasted but a while; and, secondly, so far forth that they might with their preaching awake the Jews to hear their Master. And so that commandment to teach, which Christ had given them, (Matthew 10:7,)... [ Continue Reading ]
5._Because John truly _Christ repeateth this unto his apostles out of John’s own words. For some part of them had heard that at John’s mouth, which the Evangelists report, “I truly baptize you with water, but he that cometh after me shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.” Now Christ p... [ Continue Reading ]
6.He showeth that the apostles were gathered together when as this question was moved, that we may know that it came not of the foolishness of one or two that it was moved, but it was moved by the common consent of them all; but marvelous is their rudeness, that when as they had been diligently inst... [ Continue Reading ]
7._It is not for you to know, etc. _This is a general reprehension of the whole question. For it was too curious for them to desire to know that whereof their Master would have them ignorant; but this is the true means to become wise, namely, to go as far forward in learning as our Master Christ goe... [ Continue Reading ]
8._You shall receive power. _Our Savior Christ doth here call them back as well unto the promise of God as also unto his commandment, which was the readiest way to bridle their curiosity. Curiosity doth rise almost always either of idleness or else of distrust; distrust is cured by meditating upon t... [ Continue Reading ]
9.The readers may learn out of our Institutions what profit we reap by the ascension of Christ. Notwithstanding, because it is one of the chiefest points of our faith, therefore doth Luke endeavor more diligently to prove the same; yea, rather, the Lord himself meant to put the same out of all doubt... [ Continue Reading ]
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 defense of either part, yet certain it is they were not men; but because this _metonymia _is commonly used in the Scriptures,... [ Continue Reading ]
11._Ye men of Galilee, etc. _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 and dullness of the apostles. In my opinion, it was rather to make them more attentive, in that men, whom they did never... [ Continue Reading ]
12.That he may pass over unto another history, he showeth that the disciples being returned unto Jerusalem, dwelt together in one parlor. For it was the upper part of the house, which used to be let out unto those which did hire houses; (46) for the most commodious places were reserved unto them tha... [ Continue Reading ]
13._Where they abode _Some translate it, _where they did abide; _as though they did use to dwell there. But I am of that opinion, that they did then first of all use that hired room to dwell together in, until such time as the Holy Spirit was come upon them. Too, too ridiculous are the Papists, whic... [ Continue Reading ]
14._With their wives _Some translate it _women; _and they think that he speaketh of those which accompanied Christ. As I will not contend with any man concerning this matter, so have I not doubted to prefer that which I thought was more probable. I grant that the word which Luke useth may be interpr... [ Continue Reading ]
15.It was meet that Matthias should be chosen into the place of Judas, lest, through the treachery of one man, all that might seem to have been made of none effect which Christ had once appointed. He did not unadvisedly choose the twelve in the beginning, as principal preachers of his gospel. For wh... [ Continue Reading ]
16._It was meet that the Scripture should be fulfilled. _Because Peter doth speak in this their assembly, therefore the Papists will have him to be the head of the church. (57) As though no man might speak in any assembly of the godly but he should straightway be Pope. We do grant, that as in every... [ Continue Reading ]
17._Adopted. _It is word for word _reckoned. _And he saith that he was one of the number, that he might signify unto them that it was needful that the empty place should be filled, to the end that the number might continue whole. And to this propose serveth that which followeth, that he had obtained... [ Continue Reading ]
18._And he truly _It seemeth unto me a thing like to be true, that this narration of the death of Judas was put in by Luke; therefore, it seemeth good to me to include it within a parenthesis, that it may be separated from Peter’s sermon. For to what end should Peter here reckon up unto the disciple... [ Continue Reading ]
21._We must therefore. _This which he bringeth in might seem, at the first sight, to be far set [fetched.] For if so be it David did speak of transposing (66) Judas’s bishopric, it did not thereupon straightway follow that the disciples should choose another to be his successor; yet, because they kn... [ Continue Reading ]
23.They were to choose one only into the room of Judas; they present two. Here may a question be asked, Why they were not contented with one only? Was it because they were so like, that they could not discern whether was more fit? This truly had been no sufficient reason why they should suffer it to... [ Continue Reading ]
24._In praying, they said. _Word for word it is, Having prayed, they said; but there is no obscurity in the sense, because his meaning was to speak as followeth, that they prayed; and yet he doth not reckon up all the words, being content briefly to show the sum. Therefore, although they were both o... [ Continue Reading ]
25.(75) _Of the ministry and apostleship. _Because the word ministry was base, he addeth apostleship, wherein there is greater dignity; although the sense shall be more plain if you expound it, “the ministry of the apostleship.” For the figure _hypallage _is common in the Scriptures. Assuredly Luke... [ Continue Reading ]
26._They gave in their lots _We will not, in this place, make any long disputation about lots. Those men who think it to be wickedness to cast lots at all, offend partly through ignorance, and partly they understand not the force of this word. There is nothing which men do not corrupt with their bol... [ Continue Reading ]