1.Luke passeth over now unto a worthy (643) history, to wit, that God vouchsafeth to advance a stranger, and one uncircumcised, unto singular honor above all the Jews, because he doth both send his angel unto him, and for his sake bringeth Peter to Cesarea, that he may instruct him in the gospel. Bu... [ Continue Reading ]
2.He saith that he was a godly man, and one that feared God; secondly, that like a good householder he had a care to instruct his families; he praiseth him afterward for the offices of love, because he was beneficial [beneficent] toward all the people; and, lastly, that he prayed [to] God continuall... [ Continue Reading ]
3._He saw in a vision. _Luke putteth vision for a kind of oracle coming from God, that we may know that Cornelius was brought unto the faith of Christ after an heavenly manner. And because men are oftentimes deceived with juggling, Luke setteth down the time to avoid all suspicion, when he mentionet... [ Continue Reading ]
4._And he beheld, and was afraid. _Luke expresseth his attentiveness in plain words, that we may know that it was no vain imagination which came upon the man as he was sleeping or doing some other thing. The fear wherewith he was taken (655) proceeded from the perceiving of the majesty of God; (656)... [ Continue Reading ]
5._Now send to Joppa. _God dealt most favorably with Cornelius, in that he doth not command him to go himself, but to send messengers unto Peter, that he may stay quietly at home, and that Peter may endure the toil of the journey for his sake. But let us not wonder that Cornelius was so courteously... [ Continue Reading ]
7._And after that the angel. _Luke declareth here how ready Cornelius was to obey when as he maketh no tarriance, but doth that with all diligence which he was commanded to do. And this was the cause that he was so forward, because he believed the promise; as want of faith is the cause why we are so... [ Continue Reading ]
8.Whereas Cornelius expoundeth the whole matter to the soldier and his servants, it tendeth to this end, that he may the more encourage them to give ear to the commandment, which they see is rather a commandment of God than of man; and he is not afraid to make known unto them so great a matter whom... [ Continue Reading ]
9._On the morrow, as they journeyed. _As Luke declared that Cornelius was admonished by an oracle to send for Peter, so now he setteth down another vision, whereby Peter is commanded to come to him. Whereby it appeareth that all this matter was governed by the wonderful counsel of God, who doth both... [ Continue Reading ]
10._Excess of mind. _Because our minds are wholly, as it were, set upon the earth, to the end Peter might the better comprehend the oracle, it was meet that his mind should be, as it were, moved from his place and carried up; and by this means was he prepared to receive the oracle, when as he is car... [ Continue Reading ]
11.The opening of heaven signifieth, in my judgment, another thing in this place than in the seventh chapter. For it is said there that heaven was opened to Stephen, that he did behold the glory of Christ; in this place Peter saw our heaven which we see divided, so that a sheet came thence.... [ Continue Reading ]
12.If any man ask how he could see a great multitude of living creatures at once, the question is easily answered. For Luke saith, _All manner, _because there were there divers kinds mixed one with another. Therefore he beginneth not at the first kind, that he may prosecute the number unto the last.... [ Continue Reading ]
13._A voice from heaven. _The voice came from heaven as did the sheet, that Peter might know that both came from God; neither had the sight done him any good, unless God had with this voice made clean those things which were before unclean. Whereas some pick an allegory out of the word kill, as if G... [ Continue Reading ]
14._Not so, Lord. _This is the voice of him which doth as well refuse, as also object to God his own commandment; for he is afraid, for good causes, to touch that which he knew was forbidden him in the law of God, (Leviticus 11:21, etc.) Therefore he objecteth to God the law which he himself made, l... [ Continue Reading ]
15._God hath made clean. _He speaketh of meats; but this sentence must be extended unto all parts of the life. It is word for word, _That which God hath made clean, do not thou make profane; _but the sense is, It is not for us to allow or condemn any thing; but as we stand and fall by the judgment o... [ Continue Reading ]
16._This was done thrice. _The repetition of the vision served for the confirmation of Peter, lest any doubt (672) should remain in his mind. Whence we gather how deeply the observing of the law was rooted in his mind. And I know no reason why God left him in a dump, [perplexed,] until, by the event... [ Continue Reading ]
17.Peter was taught not only by the vision, but also by the Word of God; and yet in seeing he saw not, until the Spirit is unto him an interpreter; a most excellent mirror of our slackness. Although we be yet far unlike to Peter; for we are so far from understanding by and by what God will, or to wh... [ Continue Reading ]
20._Go, doubting nothing. _The Scripture useth this word often, when it will express of what sort the obedience of faith ought to be. So Paul, in the fourth chapter to the Romans, (Romans 4:19,) when as he commendeth the faith of Abraham, saith, That he doubted not when as the Lord promised him seed... [ Continue Reading ]
21._Behold, I am he whom ye seek. _Luke declareth now how ready Peter was to obey; secondly, that he understood at length, by the messengers, to what end the vision was showed unto him. For he heareth that he is called by Cornelius, a man that is a Gentile, whom he would have counted profane, and un... [ Continue Reading ]
22._Cornelius, a just man. _Cornelius’ servants commend their master not ambitiously, or to the end they may flatter him, but that Peter may the less abhor his company. (674) And for this cause they say that he was approved of the Jews, that Peter may know that he was not estranged from true and sin... [ Continue Reading ]
23.And Peter also, being overcome with the authority of God, deliberateth no longer, but lodgeth the men, that he may go with them forthwith. So we must meekly submit ourselves to God; and there remaineth nothing after that we know his will, but that we run speedily thither whither he calleth us. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
_The day following he went forth. _It should seem that they arrived a little before night (675) because they were not as yet entered the city at noon, and the vision which was showed thrice asked no small time. Therefore, when they had taken their rest all night, they address themselves to return. A... [ Continue Reading ]
25._Falling down at his feet, he worshipped. _Here is the word προσεκυνησεν, which signifieth to testify honor or worship, either by bowing the knee or ducking down the head, or by any other gesture. Now, the question is, whether Peter refuteth this worship for modesty’s sake only, or he disalloweth... [ Continue Reading ]
28._Ye know that it is not lawful. _This seemeth to be no friendly preface, and such as may rather harden (681) than win their hearts, when as they hear that they are accounted so unclean, that with their familiarity and conference they pollute the saints; which must needs be a great reproach for th... [ Continue Reading ]
29.We must also note that which he addeth, that _he came without gainsaying_, For this is the holy silence of faith, when as without murmuring against God we receive that meekly which he commandeth, abandoning (686) all contrary reasons which intrude themselves.... [ Continue Reading ]
Because this answer of Cornelius containeth only the bare repetition of the history, I shall not need to stand long about that. The sum is, that he called Peter at the commandment of God. 30._I was fasting. _Many Greek books (687) have ημην, _I sat_. The old interpreter omitteth the word fasting, wh... [ Continue Reading ]
33._Therefore, we are all now present. _To the end Peter may be more ready and willing to teach, Cornelius affirmeth that himself and the rest will be apt to be taught, and ready to obey God; for this serveth not a little to move the teacher to take pains with the hearers, when as he hopeth assuredl... [ Continue Reading ]
34._Opening his mouth. _We have already said, that the Scripture useth this phrase when it doth signify that there was any grave or weighty oration or speech made. In the fifth of Matthew, (Matthew 5:1,) it is said that Jesus opened his mouth when he would preach to his disciples, and intreat of mos... [ Continue Reading ]
35._He which feareth God, and doth righteousness. _In these two members is comprehended the integrity of all the whole life. For the fear of God is nothing else but godliness and religion; and _righteousness _is that equity which men use among themselves, taking heed lest they hurt any man, and stud... [ Continue Reading ]
36._Concerning the matter. _Because the Greek text is abrupt, some think that the accusative case is put instead of the nominative; and that the sense is this, This is the word which God hath sent unto the children of Israel. Other some refer it unto the word_ye know_, which followeth afterward; and... [ Continue Reading ]
37._Ye know how the word. _This sermon of Peter consisteth upon [of] two members principally; for in the former he reciteth an history; secondly, he descendeth unto the fruit of the history). For seeing that the coming of Christ into the world, his death and resurrection, are the matter of our salva... [ Continue Reading ]
38._Jesus of Nazareth. _He calleth him a Nazarite here, not because he was born there, but because he came thence to execute his office; again, because he was surnamed thus commonly. He saith that he was anointed with the Spirit and power by _hypallage. _For the power wherein Christ exceeded proceed... [ Continue Reading ]
39._And we be witnesses. _That he may make his words to be believed, he saith, that he and his fellows in office saw with their eyes all those things which they spake concerning Christ. (707) Shortly after, he taketh the word witness in another sense, when he saith that they were appointed witnesses... [ Continue Reading ]
41.If any man demand here, Why God did not show his Son openly to all men after his resurrection? I answer, Although there could no reason be showed, yet ought the counsel of God alone to suffice sober and modest men, that they may assure themselves without all doubt that that is best which God hath... [ Continue Reading ]
42._And he commanded us. _He beginneth in this place to intreat of the kingdom of Christ, when he saith that Christ did rise again for this cause, that he may once judge the world. For by the same right are the government of heaven and earth, and the perpetual government of the Church, due to him. H... [ Continue Reading ]
43._To him bear all the prophets. _Luke toucheth and gathereth the sum of the sermon briefly, as we have said; therefore is he so short (713) in noting the fruit of the history. Let us know that the words uttered by Peter are not recited in this place; but that it, is only declared of what things he... [ Continue Reading ]
44._And as Peter yet spake. _God declareth now by a new miracle, that the doctrine of the gospel is common as well to the Gentiles as to the Jews. And this is an excellent seal of the calling of the Gentiles; because the Lord would never have vouchsafed to bestow upon the Gentiles the graces of his... [ Continue Reading ]
45._The faithful were astonished. _He calleth them faithful who were as yet possessed with a wicked error. So the Lord doth not by and by wipe away all clouds of ignorance from his, and yet they do not darken the praise of faith before God, because he pardoneth errors and doth vouchsafe to favor it,... [ Continue Reading ]
46._For they heard them. _He expresseth what gifts of the Spirit were poured out upon them, and therewithal he noteth the use; to wit, that they had variety of tongues given them, so that they did glorify God with many tongues. Also, it may be gathered out of this place, that the tongues were given... [ Continue Reading ]
47._Peter answered. _Peter reasoneth from the thing to the sign; for, seeing that baptism is an addition or appurtenance of the spiritual grace, he which hath received the Spirit is also apt [fit] to receive baptism; and this is the (most) lawful order, that the minister admit those unto the receivi... [ Continue Reading ]
48._And he commanded them to be baptized. _It was not of necessity that baptism should be ministered by Peter’s hand, as Paul doth likewise testify that he baptized few at Corinth, for other ministers might take this charge upon them. Whereas he saith, in the name of the Lord, it must not be restrai... [ Continue Reading ]