Acts 5:33-39

Gamaliel's Counsel

Peter's words accusing the council of murdering Jesus enraged them to the point of being prepared to murder the apostles as well.

But they could take no such action without the support of the Pharisaic members of the court. The Pharisees were in the minority, but they commanded much more popular respect than the Sadducees did, so much so that the Sadducean members of the Sanhedrin found it impolitic to oppose the Pharisees demands. This was particularly important in a case like the present, where the defendants enjoyed the people's good will (Bruce, pp. 123-124).

So, when Gamaliel, a highly respected teacher from among the Pharisees, rose to speak and asked for the apostles to be put outside, his words were instantly heeded.

Gamaliel warned the council against the actions they were contemplating. He reminded them of a man named Theudas who had claimed to be someone special and led four hundred men in a rebellion. He had been killed and those following him scattered, with the rebellion coming to nothing. Another man, named Judas of Galilee, also rose up during the time of a census and caused a number of people to follow him, but he was killed and his followers similarly scattered.

Gamaliel urged the council to leave the apostles alone. He reasoned that if their work was of their own creation, it would come to nothing. However, if their actions were truly directed by God, the council could not stop them and they would be found in the unenvious position of opposing the Almighty (Acts 5:33-39).