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From: Acts 5:34-42

Gamaliel’s Intervention

[34] But a Pharisee in the council 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 while. [35] And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you do with
these men. [36] For before these days Theudas arose, giving himself out to be
somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him; but he was
slain and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. [37] After
him Judas the Galilean arose in the days of the census and drew away some
of the people after him; he also perished, and all who followed him were scat-
tered. [38] So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and
let them alone; for this plan or this undertaking is of men, it will fail; [39] but
if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found
opposing God!”

The Apostles Are Flogged

[40] So they took his advice, and when they had called in the Apostles, they
beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them
go. [41] Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were coun-
ted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name. [42] And every day in the temple and
at home they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

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Commentary:

34-39. Gamaliel had been St. Paul’s teacher (cf. 22:3). He belonged to a mode-
rate grouping among the Pharisees. He was a prudent man, impartial and reli-
giously minded. The Fathers of the Church often propose him as an example of
an upright man who is awaiting the Kingdom of God and dares to defend the
Apostles.

“Gamaliel does not say that the undertaking is of man or of God; he recom-
mends that they let time decide. [...] By speaking in the absence of the Apostles
he was better able to win over the judges. The gentleness of his word and argu-
ments, based on justice, convinced them. He was almost preaching the Gospel.
Indeed, his language is so correct that he seemed to be saying: Be convinced of
it: you cannot destroy this undertaking. How is it that you do not believe? The
Christian message is so impressive that even its adversaries bear witness to it”
(St. John Chrysostom, “Hom. on Acts”, 14).

This commentary seems to be recalling our Lord’s words, “He that is not against
us is for us” (Mark 9:40). Certainly, Gamaliel’s intervention shows that a person
with good will can discern God’s action in events or at least investigate objective-
ly without prejudging the issue.

The revolts of Theudas and Judas are referred to by Flavius Josephus (cf. “Jew-
ish Antiquities”, XVIII, 4-10; XX, 169-172), but the dates he gives are vague; ap-
parently these events occurred around the time of Jesus’ birth. Both Theudas
and Judas had considerable following; they revolted against the chosen people
having to pay tribute to foreigners such as Herod and Imperial Rome.

40-41. Most members of the Sanhedrin are unimpressed by Gamaliel’s argu-
ments; they simply decide to go as far as they safely can: they do not dare to
condemn the Apostles to death; but, in their stubborn opposition to the Gospel
message, they decree that they be put under the lash in the hope that this will
keep them quiet. However, it has just the opposite effect.

“It is true that Jeremiah was scourged for the word of God, and the Elijah and
other prophets were also threatened, but in this case the Apostles, as they did
earlier by their miracles, showed forth the power of God. He does not say that
they did not suffer, but that they rejoiced over having to suffer. This we can see
from the boldness afterwards: immediately after being beaten they went back to
preaching” (Chrysostom, “Hom. on Acts”, 14).

The Apostles must have remembered our Lord’s words, “Blessed are you when
men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely
on My account. Rejoice and be glad, for so men persecuted the prophets who
were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12).

42. The Apostles and the first disciples of Jesus were forever preaching, with the
result that very soon all Jerusalem was filled with their teaching (cf. verse 28).
These early brethren are an example to Christians in every age: zeal to attract
others to the faith is a characteristic of every true disciple of Jesus and a conse-
quence of love of God and love of others: “You have but little love if you are not
zealous for the salvation of all souls. You have but poor love if you are not eager
to inspire other apostles with your craziness” (St. J. Escriva, “The Way”, 796).

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Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and
by Scepter Publishers in the United States.