John Calvin Commentary Acts 22:3

"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as ye all are this day:" — Acts 22:3 (ASV)

I am a Jew. As all things were out of order at that time among the Jews, many rogues and vagabonds, so that they might have some cover for their wickedness, falsely boasted that they were Jews. Therefore, so that Paul might acquit himself of this suspicion, he begins at his birth; after that, he declares that he was known in Jerusalem, because he was brought up there from a child; though this latter point seems to be made not only for certainty’s sake, but also because it mattered greatly that this should also be known: how well he had been instructed.

There is nothing more inclined to cause trouble than unlearned men. At that time, the government of the Church had so deteriorated that religion was not only subject to sects, but also miserably mangled and torn apart.

Therefore, Paul names his master, so that no one would think that he had not been instructed in learning, and therefore he had forsaken the worship of the fathers—as many men, who are not trained up in learning, forget their nature and stray from their proper character. But Paul chiefly says that he was well taught in the law, so that the Jews might understand that it was not through ignorance (as often happens) that he causes such trouble and, in their eyes, produces monstrous counterfeits of their traditions.

It is doubtful whether this is the Gamaliel who was mentioned before (Acts 5:34). Scholars are said to sit at their masters’ feet because, since they do not yet have strong and sound judgment, they must show such modesty and readiness to be taught that they must submit all their senses to their masters and depend upon their spoken words.

So Mary is said to sit at Jesus’ feet (Luke 10:39) when she listens attentively to his doctrine. But if such reverence is due to earthly masters, how much more ought we to prostrate ourselves before the feet of Christ, so that we may listen attentively to him when he teaches us from his heavenly throne?

This saying also reminds boys and young men of their duty: that they should not be defiant nor stubborn, nor should they be puffed up or arrogant towards their masters out of some foolish confidence, but that they should allow themselves to be quietly and gently shaped by them.

Taught in the law of the fathers. The old interpreter translates it word for word, taught according to the truth of the fathers’ law, except that ἀκρίβεια is rather a perfect way than truth. Nevertheless, the question is, what he means by this perfect way, since all of them had one and the same form of the law?

It seems to me that he distinguishes that purer form of knowledge in which he had been trained from the common instruction, which disagreed more with the true and natural meaning of the law.

And although the law of the Lord was then corrupted by many additions, even among the best teachers, yet because religion was thoroughly corrupt there among many, Paul for good reasons boasts that he was both well and diligently instructed in the law of the fathers—or (which is the same thing) exactly or perfectly—lest anyone should think that he had acquired only a smattering, as if he were one of the common people.

But because many who are well taught are, nevertheless, filled with Epicurean contempt for God, he declares that he was zealous toward God; as if to say that the serious study of godliness accompanied his learning, so that he did not mean to trifle with holy things, as profane men deliberately confound all things.

But because this zeal of his was entirely rash, he likens himself to the other Jews of that time. Nevertheless, this can be taken in a good sense: that long ago he worshipped God from his heart no less than they did then.