33Hearing this, they were being sawn through and wanted to kill them. [5:34] But a Pharisee in the Sanhedrin named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and ordered the men to be put outside for a little while. [5:35] He said to them: "Men of Israel, take care for yourselves what you are about to do with these men. [5:36] For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were scattered and came to nothing. [5:37] After him rose Judas the Galilean in the days of the registration and drew away people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. [5:38] So in the present case I tell you: keep away from these men and let them go, for if this plan or this work is of men, it will be overthrown; [5:39] but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them — you may even be found to be fighting against God." They were persuaded by him, [5:40] and calling the apostles in, they beat them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them. [5:41] They therefore went on their way from before the Sanhedrin rejoicing that they were considered worthy to be dishonored for the Name. [5:42] And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming Jesus as the Christ.
ACT 5:33-42
Gamalielʼs Advice
In the world it was spoken into
In the first-century Jewish context, Gamaliel’s intervention reflects the delicate balance of power within the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. Gamaliel, a Pharisee and a respected teacher of the law, held significant influence, as Pharisees were known for their strict adherence to Torah and their role in shaping Jewish religious life. His cautionary advice draws on recent historical examples—Theudas and Judas the Galilean—whose movements ended in failure and whose followers were dispersed. This appeal to history underscores a pragmatic approach: if the apostles’ movement is not of God, it will fail on its own, but if it is divine, opposing it risks opposing God. Gamaliel’s stance also reflects the Pharisees’ theological openness to divine intervention, contrasting with the Sadducees’ skepticism. His honor as a teacher amplifies his authority, making his counsel persuasive. The Sanhedrin’s response—beating the apostles and ordering them not to speak—demonstrates their attempt to assert control while avoiding outright execution, a decision shaped by Gamaliel’s wisdom and the volatile political climate under Roman rule.
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How other translations render this
ACT 5:33
- KJV
- When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
- BSB
- When the Council members heard this, they were enraged, and they resolved to put the apostles to death.
- Koinōnos
- Hearing this, they were being sawn through and wanted to kill them.
ACT 5:34
- KJV
- Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
- BSB
- But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a short time.
- Koinōnos
- But a Pharisee in the Sanhedrin named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and ordered the men to be put outside for a little while.
ACT 5:35
- KJV
- And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.
- BSB
- “Men of Israel,” he said, “consider carefully what you are about to do to these men.
- Koinōnos
- He said to them: "Men of Israel, take care for yourselves what you are about to do with these men.
ACT 5:36
- KJV
- For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
- BSB
- Some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men joined him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.
- Koinōnos
- For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were scattered and came to nothing.
ACT 5:37
- KJV
- After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
- BSB
- After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and drew away people after him. He too perished, and all his followers were scattered.
- Koinōnos
- After him rose Judas the Galilean in the days of the registration and drew away people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered.
ACT 5:38
- KJV
- 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:
- BSB
- So in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone. Let them go! For if their purpose or endeavor is of human origin, it will fail.
- Koinōnos
- So in the present case I tell you: keep away from these men and let them go, for if this plan or this work is of men, it will be overthrown;
ACT 5:39
- KJV
- But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
- BSB
- But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God.”
- Koinōnos
- but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them — you may even be found to be fighting against God." They were persuaded by him,
ACT 5:40
- KJV
- And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
- BSB
- At this, they yielded to Gamaliel. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them.
- Koinōnos
- and calling the apostles in, they beat them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them.
ACT 5:41
- KJV
- And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
- BSB
- The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.
- Koinōnos
- They therefore went on their way from before the Sanhedrin rejoicing that they were considered worthy to be dishonored for the Name.
ACT 5:42
- KJV
- And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
- BSB
- Every day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
- Koinōnos
- And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming Jesus as the Christ.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
ACT 5:33
- they felt cut up:The phrase translated 'they felt cut up' literally means to be sawn through, conveying an intense, visceral anger and indignation, as if being ripped apart.
ACT 5:34
- honored:The word translated 'honored' here describes someone held in high esteem and respect, indicating their social standing and reputation within the community.
ACT 5:37
- registration:The term 'registration' refers to a formal enrollment or census, often for taxation or military purposes, which could be a significant and sometimes contentious event in ancient society.
ACT 5:41
- <the>:The word translated 'dishonored' means to be treated without respect or value, to be shamed or disgraced, often publicly.