BRUCE C WEARNE examines the Sanhedrin’s response – in particular that of Gamaliel – to the apostles’ declaration for Christ..
The ones hearing this were so deeply cut that they were provoked to have them killed (on the spot). But a Pharisee in that council, Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, held in high repute by everyone, stood and had the men put outside for a while. He said to them, “Men of Israel, be careful what you do with these fellows. For not so long back, Theudas arose making out that he was a somebody, and a number, say 400, joined with him; but he was executed and all who followed him dispersed and it came to nothing. After him, in the days of the census, there was Judas the Galilean, and he also drew a crowd to follow him as their leader; he also perished, and those who followed after him were scattered. So in this case I am telling you, ignore these fellows and let them alone; for if this appeal or this project is merely a human contrivance, it will disintegrate; but if it be of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found to be opposing God!” So that is the advice they received, and when they called the apostles in, they had them flogged, charging them that on no account were they to speak in the name of Jesus; then they let them go. Leaving the council assembly, they rejoiced at being counted worthy of suffering disrepute for the name of Jesus. From then on, day-by-day in the temple, and in their homes, they did not cease from teaching and proclaiming Jesus, the Christ. (Acts 5:33-42/transliteration by Bruce C Wearne)
IN A NUTSHELLThe Pharisee Gamaliel tried to put the “Jesus movement” into historical perspective. He made a remarkable observation. The Council should take care lest it oppose what God was blessing. |
And so the council’s rage, fuelled by their deepest fears, was stilled. Gamaliel, a man of high repute, gave advice that was heeded. As a wily Pharisee, he had listened very carefully to all that had been discussed. He would have been aware of unrest across the nation. He knew what had taken place in recent times in Galilee. He mentions Judas the Galilean and this indicates he had knowledge of that region.
He seems well-informed about other Galileans, although he does not name John the Baptist. These fellows were disciples of a rabbi from Nazareth. Luke has also included Gamaliel’s advice at this stage of his story because soon he will tell us about one of Gamaliel’s students who led the persecution of Jesus’ followers. Luke tells us what Gamaliel said: “Keep away from these men and leave them alone!”
The council’s decision meant the apostles were to be left alone. Later, we hear that Gamaliel’s student, Saul, hounded the followers of Jesus, arresting them and having them thrown into prison. This decision of the council then had unanticipated impacts. If we read it in terms of what came later it might seem like Gamaliel’s cunning “divide and conquer”. The apostles would to be isolated from the rest of the believing throng. But if this was what Gamaliel had in mind, or even if it became the over-riding strategy later on, it failed.
Luke portrays Gamaliel as a shrewd Pharisee who understood how ordinary Jewish people, loyal to the law and the prophets, thought. He knew their concerns. He also knew the council’s weaknesses and how it could trouble the Roman authorities by inept over-reaction. Maybe there were “eyes” and “ears” in the council chambers. Mark and Luke have told us that the religious leaders lived in fear of the people. But Gamaliel’s advice did not address that fear.
And so, the council continued to try very hard to ignore the momentous acts to which Peter, the apostles and also the Holy Spirit bore witness.
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