Gamaliel

2024-01-18

Gamaliel was a revered person in the Sanhedrin council. He was a “doctor of the law,” perhaps holding today’s equivalent of the terminal doctor’s degree. If he had “reputation among all the people,” he would be revered by people of diverse backgrounds. This includes both the Pharisees and Sadducees, who held diverse opinions on various religious topics (Acts 5:34).

He may have been named for Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, both a captain and prince over the host from the tribe of Manasseh (Numbers 1:10; 2:20; 7:54, 59; 10:23). He was likely the one who mentored the apostle Paul before his conversion. “I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day” (Acts 22:3). This further demonstrates the reputation of Gamaliel, as Paul used his name to show his devotion to the Pharisee religion prior to his conversion.

Gamaliel’s wisdom is truly wise. Before drastic measures were taken on the apostles, this Pharisee intervened. Using historical examples, he knew that if Jesus were like previous revolutionaries, the cause of Christ would fizzle out with time. But if the cause were from God, who could stop it anyway? “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: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God” (Acts 5:38-39).

Hopefully, Gamaliel was true to his wisdom. He did not believe in Christ at that time. However, if he saw the cause of Christ growing up around him and reaching far beyond the shores of Israel, he could have turned to Christ. We can only hope.

Do you see how far the cause of Christ has spread since those days? The first three centuries after Christ saw many conversions to Christ. This was despite mass martyrdom and no use of violence. How could such a cause advance with no worldly goods and earthly weapons? “...if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it.” We are without excuse; Jesus the Lord is risen indeed.