John Calvin Commentary Acts 9:23

"And when many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel together to kill him:" — Acts 9:23 (ASV)

When many days were fulfilled. He says that many days had passed, so that we might know that Paul had some space of time granted to him in which he might do good. For although the Jews resisted him even from the first day, the Lord did not allow the good course he had begun to be interrupted so soon. Instead, with His wonderful counsel, He obstructs the purposes of the enemies, restrains their efforts, and curbs their malice and madness, all while He furthers the gospel. This also shows us what the hatred of the truth does.

For when the wicked see that they are unable to resist, they are carried headlong into bloody fury. They would gladly despise the word of God if they could; but because they are compelled, whether they want to or not, to feel its force, they run headlong, like furious beasts, with blind violence.

The ill-advised and rash heat of zeal will almost always break out into such cruelty, unless people allow themselves to be ruled by the word of God. This is, certainly, horrible blindness. For why are they so mad, except because their wounded conscience troubles them? But God by this means punishes their hypocrisy—those who therefore hate sound religion because, being friends of darkness, they flee the light.

Furthermore, we see how readily these preposterous zealots grant themselves liberty to do whatever they desire, once Satan has spurred them on to persecute the truth. For they do not fear to take counsel, under the pretext of zeal, to put a man to death—an act they know is utter wickedness—just as today the Papists think they may do whatever they want, as long as they can suppress the doctrine of the gospel.

They rage not only with the sword, but they also attempt by ambush, by treachery, and by most detestable means, to destroy us. We must, first, be careful that we do not entangle ourselves in the defense of evil causes; secondly, we must ensure that we handle well those causes which we know are good.

But it is thought that they lay in wait for Paul secretly. After that, when they could not succeed this way, it is likely they approached the governor of the city, and that then the gates were watched, so that they might catch him by one means or another. For Paul says that Aretas, the king’s governor, commanded what Luke attributes here to the Jews.