Acts 5 34

Acts 5:34 kjv

Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;

Acts 5:34 nkjv

Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while.

Acts 5:34 niv

But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.

Acts 5:34 esv

But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while.

Acts 5:34 nlt

But one member, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, who was an expert in religious law and respected by all the people, stood up and ordered that the men be sent outside the council chamber for a while.

Acts 5 verses

Acts 5 34 Meaning

Acts 5:34 presents a pivotal moment within the Sanhedrin, where Gamaliel, a respected Pharisee and teacher of the Law, intervenes to caution the council regarding their treatment of the apostles. His counsel advised a strategic pause, suggesting that they remove the accused apostles for a brief period to allow for an unbiased, internal deliberation. This intervention steered the council away from an immediate and potentially fatal judgment, embodying a call for prudence and a recognition of God's ultimate authority over human plans and movements. It suggests a wisdom that waits for God to reveal His hand, rather than acting in hasty opposition.

Acts 5 34 Context

Acts 5 is a dramatic chapter that continues to demonstrate the Holy Spirit's power within the early Church, alongside growing opposition from Jewish authorities. After the miraculous healings performed by the apostles (Acts 5:12-16), leading to many conversions, the Sadducees, particularly the high priest and his party, became intensely jealous. They arrested the apostles (Acts 5:17-18) and imprisoned them, only for an angel of the Lord to miraculously release them and instruct them to continue preaching in the Temple (Acts 5:19-21).

When discovered back in the Temple, they were brought before the Sanhedrin (Acts 5:27). Their bold proclamation, particularly Peter's declaration that "we must obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29) and his witness to Jesus' resurrection and exaltation (Acts 5:30-32), enraged the council. This immediate context reveals the Sadducees' intent to kill the apostles (Acts 5:33) because they preached resurrection, a doctrine the Sadducees denied, and proclaimed a resurrected Messiah. Gamaliel's intervention thus occurs at a moment of extreme tension and mortal danger for the apostles, representing a significant shift from the council's murderous intent. Historically, the Sanhedrin, composed of chief priests (primarily Sadducees), elders, and scribes (many Pharisees), was the supreme Jewish judicial and legislative body. Its primary concern was maintaining religious and civil order, especially under Roman occupation. The appearance of a new movement like "the Way" (Christianity) was viewed as a potential threat to their authority and the delicate peace with Rome. Gamaliel's wise counsel provides an interesting contrast to the zealous Sadducees, illustrating the theological and ideological divisions within the Sanhedrin itself.

Acts 5 34 Word analysis

• But (ἀλλά - alla): This conjunction indicates a strong contrast, marking a shift from the previous statement about the Sanhedrin's intent to kill the apostles (Acts 5:33). It introduces an opposing viewpoint that changes the course of events.
• a Pharisee (Φαρισαῖος - Pharisaios): This identifies Gamaliel as a member of the influential Pharisee sect. Unlike the Sadducees who held primary power in the Sanhedrin and denied the resurrection, the Pharisees believed in the resurrection, angels, and spirits. Their theological distinctives provided a potential, though not always immediate, point of lesser antagonism toward a movement centered on a resurrected Messiah.
• named Gamaliel (Γαμαλιήλ - Gamaliel): His name, meaning "reward of God" or "God is my recompense," belongs to one of the most eminent Jewish teachers of his time, Rabban Gamaliel the Elder (also known as Gamaliel I). He was the grandson of the renowned Hillel the Elder, a founder of the Hillelite school of thought known for its more lenient and adaptable interpretations of the Law. Gamaliel was Paul's teacher (Acts 22:3), underscoring his immense theological and jurisprudential influence within Judaism.
• a teacher of the Law (νομοδιδάσκαλος - nomodidaskalos): This title emphasizes his profession as an expert interpreter and instructor of the Mosaic Law, further establishing his authority and knowledge in Jewish legal matters. His rulings and opinions carried significant weight.
• respected (ἔντιμος - entimos): Literally meaning "held in honor" or "precious." This highlights Gamaliel's high standing and public veneration, implying that his words would be heard with utmost regard and less likely to be dismissed.
• by all the people (παντὸς τοῦ λαοῦ - pantos tou laou): This phrase further expands on his widespread respect, not just within the religious elite, but among the general Jewish populace. His popularity lent considerable weight to his counsel within the Sanhedrin.
• stood up (ἀναστάς - anastas): The perfect active participle implies a deliberate action. To "stand up" in the assembly signified an intention to speak, command attention, and exert authority. It was a formal gesture of initiating discourse or presenting a proposition.
• in the Council (ἐν τῷ συνεδρίῳ - en tō synedriō): Refers to the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish governing council and highest court, meeting in Jerusalem. This specifies the authoritative context of Gamaliel's intervention.
• and ordered (κελεύσας - keleusas): This participle indicates a strong directive, "commanded" or "gave orders." His position allowed him to issue such an instruction, and it would be heeded.
• them to put the men outside (ἔξω τοὺς ἀνθρώπους ποιῆσαι - exō tous anthrōpous poiēsai): "The men" refers to the apostles. The command was to remove them from the council chambers. This was a tactical move, standard in judicial proceedings, to allow for frank and uninhibited discussion among the judges without the accused present.
• for a little while (βραχὺ - brachy): This adverb implies a short duration. It wasn't a dismissal, but a temporary removal to facilitate a private deliberation among the council members, showing an immediate concern for strategic planning rather than raw emotion.

Words-group Analysis

• "a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, respected by all the people": This extended description underscores Gamaliel's immense authority, credibility, and widespread veneration. It serves to elevate his subsequent advice, making it far more impactful than if it came from an ordinary council member. This detail emphasizes God's providence in raising up a figure of such stature to defend His people. His respected status means his counsel was likely given greater weight than that of his Sadducean counterparts.

Acts 5 34 Bonus section

Gamaliel's status as a leader within the House of Hillel, a rabbinic school known for its more compassionate and inclusive interpretation of Jewish Law, further contextualizes his moderate stance. The House of Hillel often contrasted with the stricter House of Shammai, and Gamaliel's advice reflects Hillel's generally more patient approach to disputes. While Gamaliel's advice provided critical protection for the apostles at that moment, it also reflects a common Jewish theological understanding: any genuine move of God will stand on its own merit, while any human-originated false claim will eventually fall apart without divine sustenance. This aligns with Old Testament principles regarding false prophets (Deut 18:22), where the failure of their prophecy proved its false origin. His pragmatic approach underscores that even a non-believer, moved by reason or God's common grace, can act in a way that aligns with God's ultimate protective plan for His Church.

Acts 5 34 Commentary

Gamaliel's intervention in Acts 5:34 stands as a testament to divinely inspired prudence, preventing a hasty, ungodly verdict. Amidst the inflamed passions of the Sadducees, who sought the apostles' immediate death, Gamaliel's counsel injects a vital element of caution and wisdom. His authority stemmed from his reputation as a premier legal scholar and his widespread respect across Jewish society. By requesting the temporary removal of the apostles, Gamaliel skillfully created space for the Sanhedrin to move beyond emotional reaction to a more considered legal debate, demonstrating procedural shrewdness.

His subsequent advice (Acts 5:35-39), not explicitly stated in this verse but implied by the request for privacy, advocated a "wait and see" approach: if the apostles' movement was merely human in origin, it would naturally dissolve; if it was of God, opposition would prove futile and effectively make the council appear to be fighting against God Himself. This perspective reflected a deep theological understanding of God's sovereignty, trusting Him to either establish or dismantle movements according to His will. Gamaliel, though not necessarily a believer in Jesus, became an unwitting instrument in God's protection of the nascent church. His intervention thus highlights how God can work through unexpected channels, even those who do not yet acknowledge Him, to preserve His redemptive purposes and protect His people. It serves as a profound lesson in discerning God's hand in history and the futility of human endeavors that stand in opposition to divine will.