In brief
Gamaliel is a Pharisee, a teacher of the law, respected by all the people. When the apostles appear before the Sanhedrin, he stands up and advises letting them go. He points out that if this work is of human origin it will fail, but if it is from God, no one will be able to stop it. Later, Paul says he was trained at his feet. We remember his prudence and the fact that God can use a man of the law to protect his church.
What does the name Gamaliel mean?
Gamaliel is a Greek form of the Hebrew Gamliel, generally linked to the idea that God is my reward. A man of this name, a leader of the tribe of Manasseh, already appears in the book of Numbers. The New Testament does not explain the name of Gamaliel.
The story of Gamaliel
A respected Pharisee
Acts 5:34The apostles stand before the Sanhedrin, which is furious and wants to put them to death. A Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law respected by all the people, stands up. He orders the apostles to be put outside for a little while, so that he can speak freely to the members of the council.
Two examples from the past
Acts 5:35-37Gamaliel tells the men of Israel to be careful about what they are about to do. He recalls Theudas, followed by about four hundred men, who was killed. He also mentions Judas the Galilean, at the time of the census, whose followers were scattered. These movements failed without anyone needing to fight them.
A word of wisdom
Acts 5:38-39He concludes that they should leave these men alone and let them go. If this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail. If it is from God, they will not be able to overthrow it, and they might even be found fighting against God. This advice calms the Sanhedrin.
A partial decision
Acts 5:40-42The Sanhedrin agrees with him, but has the apostles beaten and orders them not to speak in the name of Jesus before releasing them. The apostles leave rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer for that name, and they keep on teaching.
Paul's teacher
Acts 22:3Before the crowd in Jerusalem, Paul presents himself as a Jew born in Tarsus, brought up in this city and trained at the feet of Gamaliel in the strict manner of the law of our fathers. The prisoner himself thus pays tribute to the teacher who shaped him.
What Gamaliel teaches us
- Wisdom advises against fighting what may come from God.
- God can use a man outside the church to protect his people.
- The work of God cannot be destroyed: what comes from him lasts.
- Knowledge is not enough: Gamaliel gives good advice, but the text does not say he believed in Jesus.
- A good teacher leaves a lasting mark, like Paul, who remembers being trained at his feet.
Key verses
If it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow it. Gamaliel invites us to let time reveal the origin of a work. These verses reassure those who see the church under attack.
Paul says he was trained at the feet of Gamaliel in the strict manner of the law of his fathers. This verse explains the apostle's education before his encounter with Jesus.
Sermons about Gamaliel
Frequently asked questions
Who was Gamaliel in the Bible?
Gamaliel was a Pharisee, a teacher of the law, a member of the Sanhedrin and respected by all the people. He advised leaving the apostles free (Acts 5:34-39). Paul later says he was trained at his feet (Acts 22:3).
What does the name Gamaliel mean?
Gamaliel is the Greek form of the Hebrew Gamliel, generally linked to God is my reward. A leader of Manasseh already bears this name in the book of Numbers. The New Testament does not explain the name.
Where can I find the story of Gamaliel in the Bible?
It is in Acts 5:33-42, where he speaks before the Sanhedrin. He is also mentioned in Acts 22:3, when Paul speaks of his training. These are the only two places in the New Testament where his name appears.