Gamaliel: A Cascading Impact from a Lesser-Known Bible Character

Author of Someplace to Be Somebody

Updated March 25, 2022

When a person hears the name Franklin Graham, their first thought is probably that he’s Billy Graham’s son, closely followed by a thought of Samaritan’s Purse, the ministry Franklin leads. Who taught Franklin about the Bible? It was his father, a very well-respected pastor and evangelist. His fine reputation as a man and his works for the Lord served as an example to his son and student, Franklin, many of whose actions are based on lessons his father taught him.

Such was the case with the Apostle Paul, whose teacher was Gamaliel, a first-century teacher of the Mosaic Law, a Pharisee, and member of the Sanhedrin.

Where Do We Find Gamaliel’s Story in the Bible?

We read about Gamaliel and his actions in the New Testament passages of Acts 5:17-42, and Acts 22:1-5. The passage in Acts 22 is part of Paul’s defense of being a Jew — a student of the highly-regarded Gamaliel — and fervent for the Law.

Gamaliel’s story in Acts involves a bit of background framework, which is outlined below. The context leading to Acts 5 tells us Peter and John spent time in the Jerusalem temple. Peter, in the name of Jesus, healed a lame man who sat at the Beautiful Gate. The healed man accompanied the Apostles into the temple and praised God. “And they (the people in the temple) were filled with wonder and amazement at what happened to him” (Acts 3:10). Peter spoke to the gathered crowd and addressed the Jewish leaders directly when he said, “and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. And His name — by faith in His name — has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all” (Acts 3:15-16).

The priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees took great exception to what Peter said, and arrested them. The next day, the Jewish leaders questioned the Apostles, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” (Acts 4:7, referring to the lame man healed by Peter). The leaders feared the spread of their words, so they charged Peter and John “not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus” (Acts 4:18). The Jewish leaders released Peter and John, who declared they couldn’t abide by the decrees of the rulers and scribes and elders. Instead, we see in the beginning of chapter 5, word of what the Apostles had done did indeed spread, and many came to them, bringing the sick and the unclean to be healed. “And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women” (Acts 5:14).

The Sadducees, jealous of these things, arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. (Acts 5:17-18) An angel released them and told them to go to the temple “and speak to the people the words of this Life,” (Acts 5:20) which they did. Called before the Jewish Council, Peter told them, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree” (Acts 5:29-30). The leaders were enraged at the whole of Peter’s declaration “and wanted to kill them” (Acts 5:33).

What Is Gamaliel’s Role and What Does He Do?

Gamaliel was in the crowd of Jewish leaders, and he stood and spoke out. Verse 34 tells us he was “held in honor by all the people,” and he “gave orders to put the men outside for a little while” (Acts 5:34). He must have had great stature and authority with the Sanhedrin for them to follow his orders without question.

He told them to be careful what they would do with Peter and John. He then related the story of Theudas, who “rose up, claiming to be somebody,” (Acts 5:36). About four hundred men joined him and “came to nothing” after Theudas was killed.

Gamaliel then told the account of a man named Judas the Galilean, who drew away some people, but after he perished, his followers were scattered. He told the Jewish leaders to “keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail” (Acts 5:38).

Gamaliel puts the onus on the Lord, saying, “but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” (Acts 5:39). The Council listened to him, took his advice, and calling the apostles in before them, they, “beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go” (Acts 5:40a).

When they departed, the Apostles did something we can assume the Council did not expect. They rejoiced because they considered themselves “worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name” (Acts 5:41). Every day after that, “in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus” (Acts 5:42).

What Did This Mean for the Early Church?

From Acts 5:42, we can deduce the church grew and the influence of the Sanhedrin diminished. In fact, the Sanhedrin disbanded (officially) in AD 70 when Rome sacked Jerusalem. The church, however, multiplied greatly. Early Christians were no doubt buoyed by the response and actions of the Apostles, and Acts 6:1 states the disciples increased in number, even amid persecution (see also Acts 6:7). No doubt the growing disciples grew greater in courage as the word spread.

The passages serve as an interesting parenthesis — if you will — around the account of Saul’s conversion in Acts 9 while on the road to Damascus. Saul, as a student of Gamaliel, would have known about Gamaliel’s actions regarding Peter and John, and when Saul — also called Paul (Acts 13:9) — heard, it may have intensified his outpouring of venom against the Way, as it was called then (see Acts 8:1 and Paul’s reaction to the stoning of Stephen). But martyrs often serve to spur other believers in their growing faith. Knowledge of one so devoted to the Lord who gave his very life defending the gospel would encourage others (see Acts 8:4-8 and the account of Philip). Their joy in the Lord must have overshadowed their fear.

Paul’s later conversion would also encourage the believers, for he had been trained by Gamaliel!

Why Is This Significant for Us to Study?

This author has been to India on numerous mission trips, working alongside an indigenous ministry, teaching the word of God to hungry-for-the-Word Christians. One time our small band of teachers arrived in a remote village, prepared for the day’s talks with the women. Our pastor-friend, Barnie, who always accompanied us (for safety and organization reasons), held us back from teaching. He took us aside and said, “There are no believers in this village. The mayor will have us arrested if you teach.” He stopped us for our safety, for in that same ministry, the president carries with him a photograph of one of his pastors who had been murdered for preaching the gospel.

When we gathered later, I asked Barnie how they dealt with the intense persecution. He gave me this answer through lips formed into a huge smile. “We welcome persecution, for in it, God’s church grows.” The president carries the picture of the martyred pastor with him so he always remembers the cost, and the privilege to take part in God’s kingdom work.

The significance of this passage in Acts outlines the actions of a man who, though an unbeliever in Jesus Christ, was used by God to further His kingdom. God used the Jewish authorities to release the apostles; what God wills will happen. He used converted and unconverted Jews to enact His Sovereign will. God can and will use anyone of His choice to grow His church (Proverbs 21:1).

As we meditate upon this amazing Scriptural account, praise God for His sovereignty and kindness.

Lisa Loraine Baker is the multiple award-winning author of Someplace to be Somebody. She writes fiction and nonfiction. In addition to writing for the Salem Web Network, Lisa serves as a Word Weavers’ mentor and is part of a critique group. She also is a member of BRRC. Lisa and her husband, Stephen, a pastor, live in a small Ohio village with their crazy cat, Lewis.