Gamaliel’s Counsel

³³ Now when they heard this, they were infuriated and they intended to kill the apostles. ³⁴ But a Pharisee named ^[a]Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law [of Moses], highly esteemed by all the people, stood up in the Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) and ordered that the men be taken outside for a little while. ³⁵ Then he said to the Council, “Men of Israel, be careful in regard to what you propose to do to these men. ³⁶ For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody [of importance], and a group of about four hundred men allied themselves with him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were scattered and came to nothing. ³⁷ After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up, [and led an uprising] during the time of the census, and drew people after him; he was also killed, and all his followers were scattered. ³⁸ So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men [merely human in origin], it will fail and be destroyed; ³⁹ but if it is of God [and it appears that it is], you will not be able to stop them; or else you may even be found fighting against God!”