Acts 5:35

35 And he said to them: Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do, as touching these men.

Acts 5:35 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 5:35

And said unto them, ye men of Israel
This he said after the apostles were put out, when the council was by themselves; and he addressed them as "men of Israel"; not as distinct from the priests and Levites in the council, but because they were all of the stock of Israel; for this council did not consist of Israelites only, as distinct from priests and Levites, as appears from ( Acts 5:21 Acts 5:27 ) . A sanhedrim commonly consisted of each of these; though if only of Israelites it was a lawful one. Maimonides says ^F3,

``they did not use to appoint any in the sanhedrim, but priests, Levites, and Israelites, that were genealogized and fit to be married into the priesthood---and that it was a command, that in the great sanhedrim there should be priests and Levites; as it is said, "thou shalt go to the priests and Levites"; but if they are not found, if they are all Israelites, lo, this is lawful,''

or a proper sanhedrim. His speech to them follows,

take heed to yourselves;
consider well, do not act a rash and precipitant part; do not give way to passion and wrath, and hastily lay hands on these men, and destroy them; lest ye bring yourselves into disgrace and danger, and bring upon yourselves the ill-will and resentment of men, and the wrath of God: take time to consider of the matter, and deliberately consult

what ye intend to do as touching these men;
what punishment to inflict upon them, whether imprisonment, scourging, or death; do nothing rashly.

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FOOTNOTES:

F3 Hilchot Sanhedrin, c. 2. sect. 1. 2.

Acts 5:35 In-Context

33 When they had heard these things, they were cut to the heart: and they thought to put them to death.

34 But one in the council rising up, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, respected by all the people, commanded the men to be put forth a little while.

35 And he said to them: Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do, as touching these men.

36 For before these days rose up Theodas, affirming himself to be somebody, to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves. Who was slain: and all that believed him were scattered and brought to nothing.

37 After this man, rose up Judas of Galilee, in the days of the enrolling, and drew away the people after him. He also perished: and all, even as many as consented to him, were dispersed.