Acts 5 38

Acts 5:38 kjv

And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:

Acts 5:38 nkjv

And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing;

Acts 5:38 niv

Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.

Acts 5:38 esv

So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail;

Acts 5:38 nlt

"So my advice is, leave these men alone. Let them go. If they are planning and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown.

Acts 5 verses

Acts 5 38 Meaning

In Acts 5:38, Gamaliel, a respected teacher of the law, advises the Sanhedrin to release the apostles, stating, "And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought." This verse conveys a profound principle of divine sovereignty: any endeavor, plan, or action originating purely from human design and lacking God's backing will ultimately collapse and be rendered ineffective. Conversely, what God initiates and sustains cannot be overthrown by human opposition. Gamaliel suggests a pragmatic wait-and-see approach, allowing time to reveal the true origin—divine or human—of the apostles' mission.

Acts 5 38 Context

Acts chapter 5 details the intense growth of the early Christian community in Jerusalem, accompanied by numerous signs and wonders performed by the apostles. This rapid expansion and the apostles' unwavering testimony to Jesus' resurrection infuriated the religious authorities, particularly the Sadducees, who were primarily responsible for the temple and did not believe in resurrection. Having previously imprisoned Peter and John (Acts 4) and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, the Sanhedrin found the apostles preaching publicly in the temple again after a miraculous angelic release from prison.

Upon their recapture, the High Priest confronts them about defying the previous injunction. Peter's bold response (Acts 5:29), "We must obey God rather than men," further enrages the Sanhedrin, leading them to consider putting the apostles to death. It is at this critical juncture that Gamaliel, a highly respected Pharisee, a teacher of the law, and reportedly Paul's mentor, intervenes. He offers a pragmatic and cautionary voice, providing historical examples of previous movements that collapsed, arguing that if the apostles' movement were merely human, it would likewise fail, but if it were divine, the Sanhedrin risked opposing God Himself. This advice temporarily swayed the Sanhedrin from executing the apostles.

Historically, Gamaliel was known for his wise and temperate counsel within the Sanhedrin, representing a more tolerant faction of the Pharisees compared to the zealous Sadducees. His intervention, while likely not a display of faith in Christ, was providentially used by God to protect the nascent Church and buy it time to grow amidst hostility. The "counsel or work" refers to the entire apostolic mission, including their preaching, miraculous deeds, and the community they were building. The underlying cultural context involves the fierce inter-sectarian rivalry in Judea, as well as the religious authorities' fear of movements that might incite Roman intervention or challenge their own authority.

Acts 5 38 Word analysis

• And now (καὶ νῦν - kai nyn): A transitional phrase, indicating a change of subject or the introduction of new, critical advice. It shifts the tone from angry deliberation to a more reasoned appeal.
• I say (λέγω - legō): A direct declaration from Gamaliel, conveying his personal and authoritative opinion to the Sanhedrin, as a revered teacher.
• unto you (ὑμῖν - hymin): The Sanhedrin members, the recipients of his counsel.
• Refrain (ἀπόστητε - apostēte): A strong imperative, meaning to "stand away from," "depart from," or "withdraw from." It's a command for non-intervention and disengagement from direct conflict.
• from these men (ἀπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων τούτων - apo tōn anthrōpōn toutōn): Refers to the apostles. The emphasis is on letting go of their physical restraint.
• and let them alone (καὶ ἀφετε αὐτούς - kai aphete autous): A second imperative, reinforcing the idea of releasing them and allowing them freedom, not to hinder them further. This phrase emphasizes hands-off detachment.
• for if (ὅτι ἐὰν - hoti ean): Introduces the logical premise for his advice. It points to a conditional statement concerning the nature of the apostles' activities.
• this counsel (ἡ βουλὴ αὕτη - hē boulē hautē): Referring to the strategic purpose, design, or deliberate plan behind the apostles' actions. It implies the intentionality and wisdom driving their mission. The term boulē often denotes a fixed determination or decision, including divine purpose (e.g., God's "counsel" in Acts 2:23). Here, Gamaliel uses it hypothetically to describe the source of the apostles' direction—is it a human scheme?
• or this work (ἢ τὸ ἔργον τοῦτο - ē to ergon touto): Referring to the active execution, deeds, and specific manifestations of that counsel. This includes their preaching, miracles, and the building of the Christian community. The ergon is the visible activity.
• be of men (ᾖ ἐξ ἀνθρώπων - ē ex anthrōpōn): The critical qualification concerning origin. Ex anthrōpōn denotes something originating "out of" or "from" humans, entirely human-generated or human-dependent, lacking divine impulse or empowerment.
• it will come to nought (καταλυθήσεται - katalythēsetai): A strong passive future indicative verb, meaning "it will be utterly destroyed," "dissolved," "overthrown," "brought to naught," or "rendered void." The passive voice implies an external force causing its collapse—presumably God, or the inherent futility of human-only endeavors when facing divine will. It suggests an inevitable and automatic failure for human-centric efforts that are not divinely sustained.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone": Gamaliel interrupts the heated debate with a reasoned and direct instruction. He counsels non-interference, suggesting a policy of hands-off for the religious authority, which implies respect for potential divine activity, or at least a prudential fear of opposing it. His command reflects his perceived authority and wisdom within the Sanhedrin, inviting the body to consider a patient, pragmatic course of action rather than immediate, violent reprisal.
• "for if this counsel or this work": Gamaliel sets up a hypothetical dichotomy, evaluating the nature of the apostles' movement based on its origin and sustaining power. "Counsel" (βουλὴ) points to the intellectual and strategic dimension – the deliberate planning and design. "Work" (ἔργον) points to the practical and active dimension – the outward actions, teaching, and miracles. Together, they encompass the entirety of the apostolic movement and its foundations.
• "be of men, it will come to nought": This forms the crucial part of Gamaliel's logical premise. If the origin and power are solely human (ex anthrōpōn), it will inevitably collapse (katalythēsetai). This statement reflects a recognition, either through spiritual understanding or through observation of history, that human endeavors, no matter how clever or powerful, ultimately fail if they oppose or are not upheld by divine power. It underscores the fleeting nature of human strength against an enduring, sovereign God. This subtly advises against immediate violent opposition, implying that if God is not behind it, the movement will simply wither, saving the Sanhedrin unnecessary trouble and potential sin.

Acts 5 38 Bonus section

• Gamaliel's Stature: He was one of the most respected and influential Pharisees of his time, holding the title "Rabban" (Our Master), indicating the highest rabbinic authority. He was the grandson of Hillel the Elder, known for his more lenient and compassionate interpretation of the law, contrasting with the stricter Shammai school. Gamaliel's wisdom was legendary.
• Teacher of Paul: According to Acts 22:3, Saul of Tarsus (who became the Apostle Paul) was "educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers." This highlights Gamaliel's immense influence and suggests that even Paul, prior to his conversion, was shaped by this atmosphere of nuanced theological discourse.
• Pragmatic Wisdom, Not Faith: Gamaliel's counsel was not based on belief in Jesus as the Messiah, but on practical prudence and a respect for the unknown, specifically a potential divine origin. His "wait-and-see" approach demonstrates a wisdom that prioritizes caution over rash zeal, avoiding potentially irreversible conflict with God. He saw the potential futility and danger in resisting a potentially divine movement, which underscores God's ability to use even secular prudence to achieve His ends.
• God's Use of Unbelievers: This event is a classic example of God using someone who did not necessarily believe in Him, or at least not in Jesus Christ, to advance His purposes and protect His people. Gamaliel's seemingly neutral counsel became a divine instrument for the protection and advancement of the early Christian community.
• Testing True Work: Gamaliel's words offer a practical framework for discerning movements, doctrines, or "works" within the broader religious or even secular sphere. The enduring nature and long-term fruits of a movement can reveal its ultimate origin—whether it is "of men" (and thus transient) or "of God" (and thus eternal). This provides a timeless test for truth and divine authenticity, reinforcing that spiritual endurance is a hallmark of God's work.

Acts 5 38 Commentary

Gamaliel's counsel in Acts 5:38 is a pragmatic appeal to logic and history within a highly charged religious debate. While he does not affirm the apostles' message, he recognizes the profound spiritual principle that God's work cannot be thwarted by human efforts, whereas purely human endeavors eventually falter. This statement is often quoted as an epitome of divine sovereignty in human affairs. Gamaliel's wisdom lay not in spiritual enlightenment regarding Christ, but in observing a pattern in history where movements based solely on human ambition or strength eventually faded, while those with divine backing persisted against all odds. His advice saved the apostles from certain death and provided a temporary reprieve for the early Church, a providential protection in its formative years. It implicitly warned the Sanhedrin that their violent opposition might, ironically, be interpreted as fighting against God. This passage reminds believers and non-believers alike that enduring impact and true success stem from alignment with God's eternal purposes, not merely human ingenuity or power.