John Calvin Commentary Acts 7:54

"Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth." — Acts 7:54 (ASV)

When they heard. The beginning of the action had in it some semblance of judgment, but finally the judges cannot restrain their fury. First, they interrupt him with murmuring and noise; now they break out into envious and deadly cries, to prevent them from hearing even one word.

Afterward, they drag the holy man out of the city to put him to death. And Luke properly expresses what power Satan has to drive forward the adversaries of the word. When he says that they burst asunder inwardly, he notes that they were not only angry, but they were also struck with madness.

This fury breaks out into the gnashing of teeth, like a violent fire into flame. The reprobate, who are at Satan’s command, must indeed be moved in this way by hearing the word of God; and this is the effect of the gospel: it drives hypocrites into madness who might have seemed modest before, as if a drunken man who desires sleep is suddenly awakened.

Therefore, Simeon assigns this to Christ, as unique to him: to disclose the thoughts of many hearts (Luke 2:35). Nevertheless, this should not be ascribed to the doctrine of salvation, whose purpose is rather this: to tame men’s minds to obey God after it has subdued them.

But as soon as Satan has possessed their minds, if they are urged, their ungodliness will break out. Therefore, this is an accidental evil; yet these examples teach us that we must not expect the word of God to draw all people to a sound mind.

This doctrine is very necessary for our steadfastness. Those who are teachers cannot do their duty as they ought unless they set themselves against those who despise God. And since there are always some wicked men who make light of the majesty of God, they must from time to time resort to this vehemence of Stephen.

For they must not turn a blind eye when God’s honor is taken from him. And what will be the outcome? Their ungodliness will be further inflamed, so that we will seem to pour oil on the fire (as the saying goes). But whatever comes of it, we must not spare the wicked, but we must powerfully keep them down, even if they could pour out all the furies of hell.

And it is certain that those who flatter the wicked are not concerned about the results, but are fainthearted because of fear of danger. But as for us, even if we do not have the success we might wish for, let us know that courage in defending the doctrine of godliness is a sweet-smelling sacrifice to God.