John Calvin Commentary Acts 23:9

"And there arose a great clamor: and some of the scribes of the Pharisees part stood up, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: and what if a spirit hath spoken to him, or an angel?" — Acts 23:9 (ASV)

There was a great cry. That sedition about which Luke spoke a little before is more plainly expressed in this place; namely, that they were not only of diverse opinions, but also strove clamorously with outcries.

Therefore, ςασις signifies something more than dissension. Furthermore, this place teaches what mischief disagreements bring. Since they generally originate from ambition, people proceed from there to contention, and immediately stubbornness breaks out. When they have come to that point, because there is no place left for either judgment or moderation, they can no longer judge the cause.

Those who detested Paul suddenly began to defend him. It was well done, if they had done it with judgment. But because they inveigh against the Sadducees, they are so inflamed with hatred against them that they are blind in Paul’s case. For this reason, we must beware of the heat of contention, which disturbs all things.

If the Spirit. This ought undoubtedly to be interpreted as referring to the Holy Ghost. And nothing could be spoken more godly or modestly. For as soon as it is apparent that any doctrine is revealed from heaven, those who do not receive it wickedly resist God.

But how is it that the scribes so suddenly consider Paul a prophet of God, whom they were once ready to murder—whom they had condemned with their prejudice until the contention arose? Furthermore, just as they cut their own throats with these words as with a sword, so God would have them be teachers for us, to instruct us that we should not despise the oracles that come from heaven.

Nevertheless, we see again that those who do not take good heed, and are not careful to heed the word of God, remain in doubt; and that they waver as often as anything is brought to light, because they are unworthy to understand the certain truth. Therefore, if we desire to have our studies governed by the spirit of discretion, let us apply ourselves to learn.