John Calvin Commentary Acts 5:30

"The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew, hanging him on a tree." — Acts 5:30 (ASV)

The God of our fathers. They now address the matter of which they are to speak, so that they may declare that they disregarded the priests' commandment, not without reason, nor without careful consideration. For (as I have already said) the comparison between God and man is only relevant when there is some opposition.

Therefore, by this they prove that they are compelled by the fear of God to refuse the priests' commandment, because God commands what they forbid. Therefore, first of all, they say that God had raised up Christ, according to the common custom of the Scriptures. For this expression is common: that God raised up prophets or judges, or rather ministers, whom He determined to use for some great work. This means that all natural excellence is weak, unless God equips with unique gifts those whom He appoints to any excellent office.

Perhaps they also allude to that famous passage of Moses, which Peter cited in his first sermon (Deuteronomy 18:15; Acts 3:22). They cite the God of the fathers by name, as the originator, so that they may declare that they are introducing no new form of religion, nor will they force any new god upon the people.

For they had to answer the false accusation that they were trying to lead the people away from the Law and the Prophets.

This is not to say that they approve of all the worship practiced by the forefathers, as worldly people are content with the sole argument that because their ancestors taught in a particular way, they themselves do everything according to the custom and decree of those ancestors. Instead, the apostles here speak of those fathers with whom God has made His covenant: those who followed right and pure doctrine, who embraced the promise of salvation with true faith, and finally, who had their origin from the heavenly Father and, through the only begotten Son of God, were the children of God along with their descendants.

Whom you. In this statement, the apostles plainly declare to them that those who wanted the chief honor given to them as governors and prelates of the Church were enemies of God. From this it follows that they are unworthy of even the smallest authority.

There is also an element of preemption, a sign of boldness, when he speaks boldly and freely of that which they considered a shameful thing—namely, so that no part of Christ’s glory would seem to be diminished because He suffered an ignominious death on the cross, as if to say, “You have slain Him.”

Nor was your cruelty satisfied with an ordinary and common death, for He was hanged on a tree. But death could not extinguish His power, nor could the shame and reproach He suffered among you diminish His honor. Therefore, the calling of God remains firm and stable.

Thus, just as the apostles confronted the priests with the wickedness and heinous offense they had committed, so they also preemptively acknowledged the shameful manner of Christ's death, lest the perpetrators of this wickedness triumph as if they had gained the victory.