The high priest and many members of the Sanhedrin are so enraged by Peter's words regarding their need to repent that they want to have the apostles put to death. They might have put their murderous impulses into action if not for the wise words of a reasonable and well-respected man.
"But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while." (Acts 5:34) In the Talmud Gamaliel is given both the titles of Nasi and Rabbi. The fact that he is known as a Nasi (prince, captain, leader) means in the Second Temple period that he is a high-ranking member of the Sanhedrin and likely the highest-ranking member when the Sanhedrin convenes to hold a criminal hearing. This tells us that Gamaliel has a right to take charge of the proceedings as we find him doing in our passage today. In addition, his title of Rabbi means he is a doctor of the law, a master of the Torah, a man recognized by the Jewish public for his understanding of the great number of facts contained in the word of God. The Mishnah has great respect for Gamaliel and his adherence to the laws of God and remarks on what a loss to the nation his death represented, "Since Rabbi Gamaliel the elder died there has been no more reverence for the law; and purity and abstinence died out at the same time." These things explain to us why, when Gamaliel stands up, all eyes are on him. When he orders that the apostles be put outside the room so he can address the Sanhedrin privately, his word is immediately obeyed.
John Lightfoot, a Christian theologian and rabbinical scholar of the 1600s, says of Gamaliel that he is the son of the Simeon of Luke 2 who through the Holy Spirit recognized the baby Jesus as the promised Messiah. Lightfoot gives Simeon the title of Rabbi and states that he was the son of Hillel, the foremost Jewish teacher of first century Judea. Hillel is credited with giving advice similar to that which Jesus gave by saying, "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor." Hillel died when Jesus was probably somewhere around the age of ten to thirteen, so He could not have studied under this particular rabbi (there is no proof Jesus ever studied under any rabbi) but we see in Hillel's wise advice a beautiful understanding of the law in regard to how we should relate to our fellow man. If Hillel was indeed the grandfather of Gamaliel, we can see why Gamaliel is such a merciful and moderate man who does not want to perpetrate an injustice on anyone.
We can also understand from his lineage why Gamaliel is a good candidate to hold authority over the criminal court of the Sanhedrin, but as we study his words we get an even better understanding of why this man is a good choice for the position. He is not led by his emotions like those who wish to stone the apostles. He is led by the word of God and by a calm, reasonable, and moderate form of common sense. "Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: 'Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.'" (Acts 5:35) He says, "Think before you act! Don't act upon your emotions but upon a careful consideration of this situation from every angle."
He now reminds them of other "movements" that have begun and failed in Judea. "Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered." (Acts 5:36-37) William Barclay says of these references to Theudas and Judas the Galilean, "In those days Palestine had a quick succession of fire-brand leaders who set themselves up as deliverers of their country and sometimes even as the Messiah." Gamaliel says to the Sanhedrin, "After Theudas died his followers scattered and the movement ceased. The same thing happened upon the death of Judas the Galilean. Jesus of Nazareth, the leader of these apostles and of this new movement, has been put to death on the cross. Perhaps soon His followers will scatter and the movement will cease."
But Gamaliel raises another possibility: perhaps this new movement is not one that originates with men, but with God. Because this possibility exists they must set the apostles free. "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. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." (Acts 5:38-39)
In tomorrow's study we find the Sanhedrin setting the apostles free, although they don't follow Gamaliel's instructions to the letter, but right now we want to stop a moment to point out that Gamaliel was the teacher of the Apostle Paul when he was still known as Saul of Tarsus. We find Paul attesting to this fact in Acts 22:3. What influence must Gamaliel have had on Paul? We don't see any of Gamaliel's calm and reasonable personality reflected in Saul of Tarsus while he's persecuting the church, but the teaching of Gamaliel gave Paul such a firm foundation in the Scriptures that when he is confronted by the risen Christ on the Damascus road he recognizes Jesus as the fulfillment of every prophecy regarding the Messiah. Gamaliel no doubt taught Paul to consider every situation from every angle, to reason things out, and to think before he acted. While Paul is young and ambitious and rising in the ranks of the Pharisees he neglects to always observe these teachings, but I believe that the tutelage of Gamaliel helps Paul to see the light spiritually when he sees the light literally. I believe the thorough education he received under Gamaliel helps Paul to become the man who will be the greatest teacher of the gospel other than Jesus Christ. Because Paul understands the law from every possible angle, he can explain to the world how the law is fulfilled in Christ. Because Paul knows the law inside out, and how difficult it is to follow, and how it continually reminds man of his shortcomings and failures, he can fully appreciate the liberty that Christ bestows on all who accept Him as Lord.
It is believed Gamaliel died in 52 AD, so he would have lived to hear about Paul's conversion to Christianity. We don't know what he made of Paul's conversion; some early church traditions suggest that Gamaliel himself became a Christian though there is no proof of this. But Gamaliel lived long enough to see Paul become a rabbi himself, a rabbi of the good news of the gospel, and whether or not Gamaliel believed Jesus was the Christ, I can't help thinking this wise teacher must have felt some pride over the success of his former student. Because he taught Paul so well, when Paul became a Christian he was a better Christian for having studied under Rabbi Gamaliel.
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