Gamaliel
Israelite / Jew Jewish; a Pharisee and doctor of the law · Early Church · New Testament
- Name means
- 'reward of God'
- Role
- Respected teacher of the law who counselled the council
- When
- c. AD 30s
What they did
When the council wanted to kill the apostles, he advised them to leave these men alone, for if the work was of God they could not overthrow it; Paul was brought up at his feet.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
God used his counsel to protect the apostles, and his words testify that God's work cannot be overthrown.
But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. Acts 5:39 (KJV)
Bible references
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 (KJV)
And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. Acts 5:38-39 (KJV)
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. Acts 22:3 (KJV)
Family
Scripture records little about this person's family.