Who was Gamaliel in the Bible?
Gamaliel was an important teacher of the law and member of the Sanhedrin in the New Testament. He is mentioned in Acts 5:34-39 and Acts 22:3.
Gamaliel’s Identity
Gamaliel is first mentioned in Acts 5:34, where he is identified as a Pharisee and “a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people.” This means he was an expert in the Mosaic law and likely part of the minority party of the Pharisees within the Sanhedrin, which was the Jewish high court.
In Acts 22:3, Paul mentions that he studied under Gamaliel in Jerusalem. Paul, originally known as Saul, was a young Pharisee who was being trained as a scholar of the law before his conversion to Christianity. Studying under Gamaliel means Paul received a first-class education in the Jewish law and traditions.
Gamaliel is thought to have been the grandson of the Jewish rabbi Hillel and is sometimes referred to as Gamaliel the Elder to distinguish him from his grandson Gamaliel of Yavneh, who helped rebuild Jewish society after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.
Some scholars equate Gamaliel the Elder with the famous Jewish rabbi Gamaliel I, who was the leading elder of the Sanhedrin in the early 1st century AD. But this is uncertain, since Gamaliel was a common name.
Gamaliel’s Wise Advice
The most famous thing Gamaliel is known for is his wise advice concerning the apostles in Acts 5:34-39. Here, Peter and some of the other apostles had just been arrested by the Sadducees for preaching the gospel and doing miracles in Jerusalem (Acts 5:17-18).
The apostles were brought before the Sanhedrin for questioning by the high priest (Acts 5:27). The high priest and the Sadducees wanted to put the apostles to death (Acts 5:33).
But then Gamaliel stood up in the Sanhedrin and told them to be cautious in how they treated the apostles. He said:
“Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” (Acts 5:35-39)
This advice persuaded the Sanhedrin to release the apostles with just a beating, instead of putting them to death. Gamaliel urged caution and wisdom, arguing that if the apostles’ preaching was merely human in origin, it would fail on its own. But if it was from God, the Sanhedrin would not be able to stop them anyway. Better to see what would happen rather than violently oppose them prematurely.
Thus, Gamaliel played a key role in preventing the elimination of the early apostles and the quenching of their gospel ministry before it could get going. The spread of Christianity in those early days likely owes much to Gamaliel’s wisdom and moderating influence.
Gamaliel’s Character
So what do Gamaliel’s actions reveal about his character?
First, Gamaliel seemed to have a thoughtful, measured approach. Though a leading Pharisee, he did not instantly condemn the apostles or jump to violence. He considered examples from history and sought to give wise counsel.
Second, Gamaliel had an openness to things outside his own experience and control. Though the Sanhedrin ostensibly wielded authority over religious matters in Judea, Gamaliel recognized they should be cautious in case God was directly empowering this new Christian movement in a way beyond their authority.
Third, Gamaliel seemed to value moderation over extremism. Though religious fervor drove many in the Sanhedrin to decry this new sect, Gamaliel urged neither complete sanction nor violent opposition. He exemplified judicious counsel.
Finally, Gamaliel possessed humility despite his learning and status. He did not claim to have all knowledge or answers concerning the apostles but pointed to time as the test of whether their message was of human or divine origin. This allowed for possibilities beyond his own judgment.
So in Gamaliel we see a learned leader whose wisdom and fair-mindedness opened the door for early Christianity to spread at a most crucial time. He serves as an example of thoughtful leadership and counsel. Even those far advanced in learning can benefit from openness, restraint, moderation, and humility.
Gamaliel’s Mention in Acts 22
The only other mention of Gamaliel in Scripture comes in Acts 22:3. Here Paul is recounting his Jewish credentials to a mob in Jerusalem shortly after his conversion to Christ:
“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day.” (Acts 22:3)
Paul mentions this to show his Jewish bona fides and thorough training in the law in hopes of getting a hearing from his fellow Jews. Studying under Gamaliel meant receiving training from the most eminent teacher of the day.
The Greek word for “educated” here implies Paul studied under Gamaliel’s exacting standards and methods. This tells us Gamaliel had a reputation as a rigorous trainer of the law who expected much from his pupils. The phrase “at the feet of Gamaliel” also connotes Paul sat literally at Gamaliel’s feet, as was the custom for rabbis teaching Torah at that time.
So Paul studied directly under Gamaliel instead of just reading his teachings. He received personal, demanding training from this leading rabbi whose wisdom even impressed the Sanhedrin. This explains why Paul later shows such meticulous knowledge of the Jewish law in all his writings. It also shows Paul (then Saul) was being groomed for leadership among the Pharisees prior to his conversion.
Later Jewish writings portray Gamaliel as a leading scholar and master of Jewish oral tradition. He helped advance the learning of the law. So Paul studied under the best and was zealous to excel as a Pharisee. But God later used all Paul’s religious training to make him an formidable Christian apologist and missionary instead.
Key Lessons from Gamaliel’s Example
When we analyze Gamaliel’s portrayal in these two passages of Acts, several key lessons emerge:
1. Wisdom and learning are highly prized in Scripture. Gamaliel was lauded as an honored teacher of the law. His example shows it is good to pursue knowledge, education, and wisdom.
2. Openness and humility should accompany learning. Though educated, Gamaliel did not claim to have all truth. He urged the Sanhedrin to be open handed toward the apostles, conscious of their own limitations.
3. Follow God’s leading over human authority. Gamaliel realized the apostles might be following direct orders from God beyond human authority structures. He advocated discernment rather than control.
4. Exercise caution and restraint in judgment. Gamaliel urged no hasty condemnation but recommended patience to see if God was really behind this Christian movement.
5. Kindness and tolerance can further God’s work. Gamaliel’s moderating voice allowed early Christianity to spread. Prudence and mercy can unintentionally help God’s causes.
6. Influential leaders can change outcomes. As a respected Pharisee, Gamaliel’s wisdom carried weight with the Sanhedrin and changed the apostles’ fate. Wise words at crucial junctures can divert disaster.
7. God uses all things for His glory. Paul’s training under Gamaliel prepared him for ministry. God redeems even the efforts of those opposing Him for His greater purposes.
So from Gamaliel we see how God uses a thoughtful scholar, restraint in judgment, openness to God’s mysterious workings, submission to God’s authority, kindness in disagreement, and the timely words of respected leaders to further the growth of His kingdom. Gamaliel provides an positive example of how wisdom, humility, and care can prepare the way for God’s plans.
Gamaliel in Church History and Jewish Writings
Although mentioned only briefly in Acts, Gamaliel looms large in church history and Jewish writings after the first century AD. Let’s survey some of the key references to and lessons from Gamaliel outside Scripture:
– The early church leader Clement of Alexandria (150-215 AD) says that Gamaliel became a secret Christian himself and was baptized by the apostles along with his son and Nicodemus. But this is unconfirmed tradition.
– Gamaliel is listed as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church with a feast day of August 3. He is the patron saint of Belarus. However, he is not recognized as a saint in the Roman Catholic tradition.
– The Emperor Theodosius II ordered a Christian church built in Gamaliel’s honor in 415 AD in Constantinople. Several more churches were later built bearing his name.
– In the Mishnah, Gamaliel is presented as an expert in Jewish law who insisted on rigorous study and high moral standards from his students. He contributed teachings on divorce and oaths which appear more merciful than others at the time.
– The Talmud also presents Gamaliel as a foremost scholar in Judaism who upheld the authority of the Sanhedrin and contributed wise sayings on the law. He helped advance Pharisaic teachings which were later recorded in the Mishnah after the Temple’s destruction.
– Gamaliel mandated rules called takanot which helped transition Jewish learning and leadership from Temple-focused authority to rabbi-focused authority after it was destroyed in 70 AD. This helped Pharisaic Judaism survive the dissolution of the priesthood.
– According to the Talmud, Gamaliel showed cunning and wit in some of his legal decisions that forced early Christians to undermine their own arguments or concede points. His interactions with some apostles may have been less friendly outside of Acts.
– Later rabbis in the Talmud portray Gamaliel as an authoritative “elder” whose decisions and teachings helped shape early Rabbinic Judaism in the wake of the Temple’s destruction and the split with Christianity.
So church tradition embellished Gamaliel’s reputation as a possible secret Christian, while Jewish writings expanded on his renown as an honored rabbi who contributed substantially to the Mishnah and Talmud. He seemed to wield influence in the uneasy rapprochement between Judaism and Christianity after the Temple’s ruin.
Gamaliel as a Type of Christ
Some Bible commentators have seen Gamaliel as a possible “type” or foreshadowing of the Messiah in the following ways:
– As a teacher of God’s law, Gamaliel pointed forward to Jesus the greatest Rabbi and interpreter of the law.
– Gamaliel’s plea for mercy on the apostles somewhat foreshadowed Christ taking the punishment for sins on our behalf.
– Gamaliel urged research into the apostles’ message much like Jesus did with Scripture concerning Himself. The Sanhedrin should have investigated just as the Jews should have with Jesus.
– Gamaliel exemplified qualities like compassion, openness to God’s direction, priority of inward purity over outward ritual, and focus on the heart, not just the technicalities of the law. In this he pointed to Christ.
– As a Pharisee, Gamaliel represented the minority party within Judaism focused on applying Scripture to daily life. In this he resembled how Christ ministered among ordinary people.
– Gamaliel’s eventual openness to Christian tradition resembles how Pharisees like Nicodemus later submitted to Jesus as Messiah. This may have foreshadowed the conversion of Saul.
However, these parallels are tenuous. The New Testament does not make this comparison directly. And Gamaliel differed significantly from Jesus in lack of firsthand revelation, understanding of salvation, and divine nature. Yet the hints are interesting to consider.
Conclusion
In summary, Gamaliel played a small but significant role in the Book of Acts as a leading Pharisee and doctor of the Jewish law. His wise plea for tolerance spared the apostles’ lives during a period of intense persecution. Gamaliel exemplified prudent, discerning leadership and cautioned against hasty judgment.
This opened the door for early Christianity to spread from its initial Jewish roots into the Greco-Roman world. Gamaliel also helped train and shape the young zealot Saul, whose conversion a few years later would take the gospel even further.
Later Jewish tradition embellished Gamaliel’s reputation as an honored rabbi who helped establish early Rabbinic Judaism in the wake of the Temple’s destruction. While not overtly converting, he seemed sympathetic to Christian tradition.
So this learned, fair-minded teacher left an indirect but enduring imprint on the early Christian movement through his appeal for restraint, exemplary wisdom, and shaping of influential leaders like the apostle Paul.