Acts 5 · Verse 34

Acts 5:34

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;

Acts 5:34, King James Version

Acts 5:34 in other translations

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.
WEB	But one stood up in the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, honored by all the people, and commanded to put the apostles out for a little while.
ASV	But there stood up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in honor of all the people, and commanded to put the men forth a little while.
YLT	but a certain one, having risen up in the sanhedrim--a Pharisee, by name Gamaliel, a teacher of law honoured by all the people--commanded to put the apostles forth a little,
DARBY	But a certain man, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, held in honour of all the people, rose up in the council, and commanded to put the men out for a short while,
BBE	But one of the Sanhedrin, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a man of learning in the law, of whom all the people had a high opinion, got up and made a suggestion for the men to be put outside for a little time.
Webster	Then stood 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 time.

What does Acts 5:34 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

34. Then stood up ... Gamaliel--in all probability one of that name celebrated in the Jewish writings for his wisdom, the son of Simeon (possibly the same who took the infant Saviour in his arms, Lu 2:25-35), and grandson of Hillel, another celebrated rabbi. He died eighteen years before the destruction of Jerusalem [Lightfoot].

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 34. Then stood there up one. He rose, as is usual in deliberative assemblies, to speak.

In the council. In the sanhedrim, Acts 4:15.

A Pharisee. The high priest and those who had been most active in opposing the apostles were Sadducees. The Pharisees were opposed to them particularly on the doctrine in regard to which the apostles were so strenuous, the resurrection of the dead. Mt 3:7. Comp. Acts 23:6.

Gamaliel. This name was very common among the Jews. Dr. Lightfoot says, that this man was the teacher of Paul, (Acts 22:3,) the son of the Simon who took the Saviour in his arms, (Lk 2) and the grandson of the famous Hillel, and was known among the Jews by the title of Rabban Gamaliel the elder. There were other men of this name, who were also eminent among the Jews. This man is said to have died eighteen years before the destruction of Jerusalem; and he died as he had lived, a Pharisee. There is not the least evidence that he was a friend of the Christian religion; but he was evidently a man of far more liberal views than the other members of the sanhedrim.

A doctor of the law. That is, a teacher of the Jewish law; one whose province it was to interpret the laws of Moses, and probably to preserve and transmit the traditional laws of the Jews. Mt 15:3. So celebrated was he, that Saul of Tarsus went to Jerusalem to receive the benefit of his instructions, Acts 22:3.

Had in reputation among all the people. Honoured by all the people. His advice was likely, therefore, to be respected.

To put the apostles forth. This was done doubtless, because, if the apostles had been suffered to remain, it was apprehended that they would take fresh courage, and be confirmed in their purposes. It was customary, besides, when they deliberated, to command those accused to retire, Acts 4:15.

A little space. A little time, Lk 22:58.

(d) "a doctor of the law" Acts 22:3 (&) "a little space" "To send the apostles our for a short time"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 34 A Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law - "This," says Dr. Lightfoot, "was Rabban Gamaliel the first; commonly, by way of distinction, called Rabban Gamaliel the elder. He was president of the council after the death of his own father, Rabban Simeon, who was the son of Hillel. He was St. Paul's master, and the 35th receiver of the traditions, and on this account might not be improperly termed νομοδιδασκαλος, a doctor of the law, because he was one that kept and handed down the Cabala received from Mount Sinai. He died eighteen years before the destruction of Jerusalem, his son Simeon succeeding him in the chair, who perished in the ruins of the city." Though probably no favourer of Christianity, yet, for a Pharisee, he seems to have possessed a more liberal mind than most of his brethren; the following advice was at once humane, sensible, candid, and enlightened.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Acts 5:34-42

The Lord still has all hearts in his hands, and sometimes directs the prudence of the worldly wise, so as to restrain the persecutors. Common sense tells us to be cautious, while experience and observation show that the success of frauds in matters of religion has been very short. Reproach for Christ is true preferment, as it makes us conformable to his pattern, and serviceable to his interest. They rejoiced in it. If we suffer ill for doing well, provided we suffer it well, and as we should, we ought to rejoice in that grace which enabled us so to do. The apostles did not preach themselves, but Christ. This was the preaching that most offended the priests. But it ought to be the constant business of gospel ministers to preach Christ: Christ, and him crucified; Christ, and him glorified; nothing beside this, but what has reference to it. And whatever is our station or rank in life, we should seek to make Him known, and to glorify his name.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Acts 5:34 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἈναστὰςAnastasHaving risen upG450

δέdehoweverG1161

τιςtisa certain [man]G5100

ἐνeninG1722

τῷtōtheG3588

συνεδρίῳsunedriōCouncilG4892

ΦαρισαῖοςPharisaiosa PhariseeG5330

ὀνόματιonomatinamedG3686

Γαμαλιήλ,GamaliēlGamaliel,G1059

νομοδιδάσκαλοςnomodidaskalosa teacher of the lawG3547

τίμιοςtimioshonoredG5093

παντὶpantiby allG3956

τῷtōtheG3588

λαῷ,laōpeople,G2992

ἐκέλευσενekeleusenhe commanded [them]G2753

ἔξωexōoutsideG1854

βραχὺbrachufor a shortG1024

τοὺςtoustheG3588

ἀνθρώπουςanthrōpousmenG444

ποιῆσαι,poiēsaito put,G4160

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Acts 5:34

Acts 22:3
I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
Luke 2:46
And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
Luke 5:17
And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.
Psalms 76:10
Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.
John 7:50-53
Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,) Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth? They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet. And every man went unto his own house.
Acts 23:7-9
And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees’ part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.
Acts 4:15
But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

stood.
23:7-9; Ps 76:10; Joh 7:50-53
Gamaliel.
22:3
a doctor.
Lu 2:46; 5:17
and commanded.
4:15

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Acts 5:33
When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
Acts 5:34
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;
Acts 5:35
And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.

Read all of Acts 5

Acts 5:34 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Entonces levantándose en el concilio un Fariseo llamado Gamaliel, doctor de la ley, venerable á todo el pueblo, mandó que sacasen fuera un poco á los apóstoles.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Mais un pharisien, nommé Gamaliel, docteur de la loi, honoré de tout le peuple, se leva dans le sanhédrin et donna l’ordre de faire sortir les apôtres pour un peu de temps.
German Elberfelder 1871	Es stand aber einer in dem Synedrium auf, ein Pharisäer, mit Namen Gamaliel, ein Gesetzgelehrter, angesehen bei dem ganzen Volke, und befahl, die Leute eine kurze Zeit hinauszutun.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Surgens autem quidam in concilio pharisæus, nomine Gamaliel, legis doctor, honorabilis universæ plebi, jussit foras ad breve homines fieri,