Gamaliel

Biblical Record

Gamaliel appears twice in the Book of Acts.

• Acts 5:34-39: When Peter and the other apostles were brought before the council (the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish council) for preaching Jesus, its members sought to put them to death. At this point Gamaliel, a Pharisee and "a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people," stood up, had the apostles put outside for a short while, and then reasoned with the council. He cited the examples of Theudas and Judas of Galilee, each of whom had led a following that was later scattered, and argued that if this work were of men it would come to nothing, but if it were of God it could not be overthrown, warning, "lest haply ye be found even to fight against God" (Acts 5:38-39). The council heeded his advice, had the apostles beaten, and released them.
• Acts 22:3: Defending himself before a crowd in Jerusalem, Paul states that he was brought up "at the feet of Gamaliel" and "taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers."

Significance Within Scripture

Gamaliel is portrayed as a figure who tempered the persecution of the early church at a time when it was suffering at the hands of the Jewish leadership. He is also cited as evidence that Paul was thoroughly trained in Jewish law. Scripture says nothing further about his life or faith.

Interpretation and Issues

• Historical figure: The Mishnah, a Jewish text, mentions "Rabban Gamaliel the Elder," who is generally identified with the Gamaliel of Acts. Later Jewish tradition describes him as the grandson of Rabbi Hillel, but this claim is understood to rest on later records.
• Assessments of his counsel: Some interpreters read his words as a prudent and wise judgment, while others see in them a noncommittal attitude of simply waiting to see the outcome. Still others point out that the idea that "whatever endures must be from God" is difficult to accept as a general principle.
• The dating of Theudas: The revolt of Theudas recorded by the Jewish historian Josephus appears to have occurred after the time of Gamaliel's speech. Scholars have proposed two kinds of explanation: that a different individual is meant, or that the passage presents a chronological problem.
• Extrabiblical traditions: Later Christian tradition holds that Gamaliel eventually became a Christian and that he helped with the burial of Stephen. Some traditions within the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church honor him as a saint. These accounts do not appear in the biblical text.

In the Korean Church

In Korean church preaching, the passage in Acts 5 is frequently treated under titles such as "Gamaliel's Counsel," often accompanied by the message that no human being can stop the work of the gospel. In Sunday schools and Bible studies, he is mentioned chiefly as Paul's teacher when explaining Paul's background.