John Calvin Commentary Acts 13:41

"Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish; For I work a work in your days, A work which ye shall in no wise believe, if one declare it unto you." — Acts 13:41 (ASV)

And yet he does not recite word for word the words of Habakkuk, which are as follows: “Behold, you Gentiles, and see and wonder, and be astonished; because a work shall be done in your days which no man shall believe when it shall be told him.” Paul says, “Behold, you despisers,” so that the Jews may know that the vengeance which was once brought upon their fathers also applies to the despisers of the word. It is as if to say, God today regards his word no less seriously, the contempt of which he once punished so sharply.

Therefore, the prophet’s denunciation pertains to all ages, so that the despisers cannot hope to escape now that vengeance which others have experienced.

They boasted of the temple; they proudly claimed that they were the people of God. Being puffed up with wicked pride, they despised all threats.

Therefore, Paul reminds them of what God through his prophets threatens to the despisers.

A work in your days. The meaning is, those who refuse to believe the word of God will feel his hand, so that, being eventually convicted by plagues, they may know that he spoke in earnest. It is a common proverb that experience is the mistress of fools. So the Lord does indeed punish the wicked, so that, being tamed by miseries, they may begin to confess his power.

And what kind of punishment does he denounce? “Because you (he says) do not believe my word, I will show an example among you which no man will believe;” By these words he means that he will punish them, so that the world will be afraid to see it. For as rebellion against God is a detestable monster, so it is no wonder if it itself begets monstrous punishments.

Therefore, we must beware, lest, if we cease to give credit to God’s word, we feel his hand more mighty than all our senses can comprehend, and even to the astonishment of the whole world; and lest we ourselves be astounded through fear. Habakkuk prophesies about the destruction brought upon them by the Chaldeans, but the punishment by which God avenged the contempt of his gospel was more cruel (severe). Therefore, let us accustom ourselves to fear God and reverently embrace his word, lest such things happen to us.