Acts 5 35

Acts 5:35 kjv

And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.

Acts 5:35 nkjv

And he said to them: "Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men.

Acts 5:35 niv

Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.

Acts 5:35 esv

And he said to them, "Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men.

Acts 5:35 nlt

Then he said to his colleagues, "Men of Israel, take care what you are planning to do to these men!

Acts 5 verses

Acts 5 35 Meaning

Gamaliel, a respected teacher of the Law, urged the Sanhedrin to exercise extreme caution and careful self-reflection concerning their intentions and potential actions against the apostles. He warned them to consider the full implications of their decisions, implying that acting rashly could lead to unintended, grave consequences, particularly if they were to find themselves opposing God Himself.

Acts 5 35 Context

Acts chapter 5 describes the continued bold proclamation of the Gospel by the apostles, particularly Peter, following their release from prison by an angel. Their steadfast refusal to cease preaching Jesus despite previous threats incurred the renewed wrath of the Sanhedrin, who had them re-arrested. Brought before the council, Peter declared, "We ought to obey God rather than men." This defiant statement provoked the Sanhedrin, who sought to kill the apostles. At this critical juncture, Gamaliel, a highly respected Pharisee and doctor of the Law, interceded. Having listened to previous failed movements (like Theudas and Judas of Galilee), Gamaliel presents a pragmatic, yet profoundly wise, argument that provides context for verse 35: caution against premature action and potential opposition to divine will. The verse acts as a bridge in Gamaliel's counsel, setting the stage for his crucial insight that if the apostles' movement is from God, it cannot be overthrown. Historically, the Sanhedrin held immense power in Judea, balancing Roman authority while maintaining Jewish law, and would typically enforce its edicts with severity.

Acts 5 35 Word analysis

• Therefore (οὖν - oun): A conjunction that marks a transition or consequence. In this context, it connects Gamaliel's historical examples (Theudas and Judas of Galilee, in verses 36-37, leading up to verse 35, where he uses it as a concluding advice after describing their failure) to the immediate practical application concerning the apostles. It introduces a logical inference or a summation of what has just been presented in his prior examples (he actually states this after his illustrations in the later verses - Gamaliel gives his whole speech from 34 to 39, and this phrase 'Therefore' or 'So' acts as his direct counsel regarding 'these men'. Though the verse numbering may seem out of order compared to an English rendering of the entire speech, in the narrative flow, he is setting up his advice with this statement. The key is it signals a conclusion or strong recommendation derived from his wisdom.)
• take heed (Προσέχετε - Prosechete): An imperative verb, from prosechō, meaning "to hold to," "to give attention to," "to be cautious," "to beware." It implies an earnest, careful, and deliberate process of thinking and guarding against error. This is not a casual suggestion but a serious warning to reflect deeply on their own positions and potential actions. It emphasizes inward scrutiny as much as outward observation.
• to yourselves (ἑαυτοῖς - heautois): A reflexive pronoun in the dative plural, meaning "to your own selves" or "among yourselves." This stresses that the decision and its potential ramifications are intensely personal and internal to the Sanhedrin. Gamaliel redirects their focus from the apostles to their own responsibility and potential spiritual jeopardy if they oppose God.
• what (τί - ti): An interrogative pronoun, "what," initiating the clause about their intended action.
• you intend (μέλλετε - mellete): From mellō, meaning "to be about to," "to be going to," "to be destined to," or "to intend to." It refers to a future, deliberate action that they are on the verge of taking. This word emphasizes their current resolve or planning.
• to do (πράσσειν - prassein): Present active infinitive of prassō, meaning "to do," "to perform," or "to act." This term often suggests more methodical, practical action or habit, contrasting with poiein which can be a more general "making." Here, it points to the concrete measures the Sanhedrin might implement against the apostles.
• concerning (ἐπὶ - epi): A preposition that, in this context, indicates the subject or object "on," "over," or "concerning" which the action is being considered. It links their internal deliberation to "these men."
• these men (τοῖς ἀνθρώποις τούτοις - tois anthrōpois toutois): Refers directly to the arrested apostles. Gamaliel avoids inflammatory language or labels, simply calling them "these men," which gives his counsel an air of measured objectivity and prudence rather than bias.

Words-group Analysis:

• "Therefore take heed to yourselves": This phrase functions as a solemn injunction for internal reflection and careful consideration. It’s a call to humility and self-assessment, reminding the powerful Sanhedrin of their own accountability and the need to deliberate wisely before acting decisively. It suggests the gravity of the decision resting upon them.
• "what you intend to do concerning these men": This entire clause sets the scope of their deliberation. It highlights that the apostles are the direct subjects of their current scrutiny and impending action. The use of "intend to do" underscores the active, conscious choice they are about to make, implying the weight of responsibility for those choices. It emphasizes Gamaliel’s attempt to bring their internal thoughts and plans into their cautious consideration.

Acts 5 35 Bonus section

Gamaliel's identity as "a Pharisee, a teacher of the law, held in respect by all the people" (Acts 5:34) significantly elevates the weight of his words. Pharisees were known for their strict adherence to the Law and oral tradition, often differing from the Sadducees (who composed much of the Sanhedrin) on matters like the resurrection. His counsel likely resonated more with the Sanhedrin due to his respected status, even though many members might have been Sadducees. The irony of God using such a figure—a highly esteemed Jewish scholar who later, according to tradition, was the teacher of Saul of Tarsus (who became Paul the Apostle)—to protect the early Christian movement is profound. Gamaliel’s intervention demonstrates divine providence at work through unlikely means, illustrating that God can use the wisdom of those outside the immediate believing community to further His kingdom purposes. This counsel prevented what could have been a fatal blow to the early church. Gamaliel’s argument also implicitly challenges the Sanhedrin’s presumption of absolute authority; he implies that their human power is insignificant if they find themselves opposing the will of the Almighty.

Acts 5 35 Commentary

Acts 5:35 forms a pivotal moment in Gamaliel's discourse, serving as a direct and concise warning to the Sanhedrin. He is not just giving general advice, but is specifically and emphatically directing their attention to the internal deliberation of their own intended actions concerning the apostles. His counsel is shrewd; it is rooted in historical precedent, showing how movements not ordained by God ultimately fail. Therefore, if the apostles' movement is not of God, it will naturally dissipate. But the terrifying alternative, implicit here and explicit in the following verse, is that if it is of God, then any opposition would be a direct conflict with divine power, turning the Sanhedrin into "fighters against God."

Gamaliel’s advice bypasses immediate doctrinal arguments and appeals to pragmatic wisdom, safeguarding the nascent church from premature annihilation by human authority. He appeals to self-preservation and fear of divine retribution. This verse thus stands as a testament to the wisdom found outside belief in Christ being providentially used by God to protect His church. It underlines the principle that God's plan cannot be thwarted by human efforts, even powerful religious bodies. It provides a timeless lesson for leaders: approach significant decisions with caution, self-examination, and an openness to divine possibility, rather than swift, uninformed, or fear-driven reaction.

• Practical Example: In a church setting, elders facing a challenging doctrinal dispute should take Gamaliel's advice: "Take heed to yourselves what you intend to do." Instead of rushing to condemn or ostracize, they should first reflect on their own biases, pray for discernment, and carefully examine if their reaction stems from Godly wisdom or human fear/prejudice, recognizing that sometimes God works in unexpected ways.