John Calvin Commentary Acts 6:12

"And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and seized him, and brought him into the council," — Acts 6:12 (ASV)

Being overcome with the power of the Spirit, they cease disputing, but they prepare false witnesses, so that with false and slanderous reports, they might oppress him. This shows that they were contending from an evil conscience. For what can be more improper than to rely on lies in their cause?

Suppose he were a wicked man and guilty; yet, false witness must not be brought against him. But hypocrites, who cloak themselves in zeal, carelessly allow themselves to do that. We see how the Papists today corrupt clear passages of Scripture, and that knowingly, while they falsely wrest testimonies against us.

Indeed, I acknowledge that for the most part they offend through ignorance; yet we can find none among them who does not grant himself the liberty to corrupt both the sense and also the words of the Scripture, so that they may bring our doctrine into contempt. Indeed, they slander us monstrously even in the pulpit.

If you ask these Rabbins whether it is lawful to slander a man or not, they will deny that it is lawful generally. But when it comes to us, good zeal excuses them, because they think that nothing is unlawful which may burden us or our cause. Therefore, they flatter themselves in lying, falsehood, and stubborn impudence.

Such hypocrisy also blinded those of whom Luke speaks in this passage, who used false witness to put Stephen to death. For when Satan reigns, he not only spurs the reprobate on to cruelty but also blinds their eyes, so that they think they may do whatever they want.

We are especially taught by this example how dangerous the appearance of good zeal is, unless it is governed by the Spirit of God. For it always breaks out into furious madness, and, in the meantime, it is an excellent disguise to cover all kinds of wickedness.