John Calvin Commentary Acts 7:19

"The same dealt craftily with our race, and ill-treated our fathers, that they should cast out their babes to the end they might not live." — Acts 7:19 (ASV)

Dealt subtilly. The old interpreter did not translate this wrongly, meaning to deceive. For Stephen means that the king of Egypt craftily invented new schemes and wicked pretexts, so that he might from time to time lay heavier burdens upon the people, just as almost all tyrants do; for however unjustly they oppress their subjects, they are all too clever at inventing excuses.

And undoubtedly, Pharaoh misused this plausible pretext. He argued that it was not fitting for the Jews, who were sojourners, to live in his realm for nothing and be free from all burdens, especially since they enjoyed great benefits. Therefore, he deceitfully turned them from freemen into despicable slaves. When Stephen says that this tyrant did not know Joseph, from this it appears how quickly the remembrance of benefits fades among people. For although we all unanimously detest ingratitude, yet there is no vice more common among us.

Lest they should be increased. Erasmus translates this improperly, in my judgment. For [Ζωογονεισθαι] expresses more than lest their children should live. For the word is derived from this idea, because the people always remain alive in their offspring. And furthermore, Stephen does not list all the parts of their mistreatment, but provides one example of extreme cruelty. From this we may easily gather how near all Abraham's descendants were to destruction. For Pharaoh seemed to have murdered them all with that commandment, as with a single stroke of a sword. But such violent barbarism highlighted even more the unexpected and incredible power of God, because when Pharaoh has, by all possible means, striven against God, yet all is in vain.