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 5:34KJV
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Acts 5:34 (KJV)

What does Acts 5:34 mean?

Acts 5:34 describes how a respected Pharisee named Gamaliel, known as a teacher of the Jewish law and held in high regard by the people, stood up in the council and asked for the apostles to be taken out of the room for a short time. This sets the stage for Gamaliel to address the council privately about how to handle the apostles.

The verse takes place during a tense meeting of the Jewish ruling council (the Sanhedrin), where the apostles are being judged for preaching about Jesus. Gamaliel’s intervention is significant because he is both influential and cautious, and his request to remove the apostles signals that he wants to speak openly to the council without the apostles present. This moment introduces a turning point in the council’s discussion.

The Greek behind Acts 5:34

  • σύνεδριον (synedrion, G4892): This word refers to the "council," meaning the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish court. Knowing this helps clarify the seriousness of the setting and the authority of those involved.
  • Φαρισαῖος (Pharisaios, G5330): This is the word for "Pharisee," highlighting Gamaliel’s religious background. Pharisees were known for strict observance of the law, so his opinion would carry weight.
  • νομοδιδάσκαλος (nomodidaskalos, G3547): Translated as "doctor of the law," this term means an expert or teacher in Jewish law. It shows why Gamaliel’s advice would be respected.
  • ἔξω βραχύ (exō brachy, G1854 + G1024): This phrase means "outside for a little while" or "a little space." It shows that Gamaliel wanted privacy for the council’s discussion, emphasizing the importance of what he was about to say.

Why Acts 5:34 matters

  • Acts 5:34 shows that not everyone in the council was eager to condemn the apostles; some, like Gamaliel, urged caution and wisdom.
  • The verse highlights Gamaliel’s respected status, which helps explain why the council would listen to him and why his words carry weight in the following verses.
  • Understanding this setup helps readers see how the apostles’ fate was influenced not just by their actions, but also by the attitudes and decisions of influential leaders within the Jewish community.

Where else these words appear

“Gamaliel” Greek G1059 · used in 2 verses

  • 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.

“law” Greek G3547 · used in 3 verses

  • 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 Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.
  • 1 Timothy 1:7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

“space” Greek G1024 · used in 7 verses

  • Luke 22:58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.
  • Acts 27:28 And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.
  • Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

“reputation” Greek G5093 · used in 13 verses

  • Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
  • 1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
  • Revelation 18:12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,