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:

ACTS 5:38KJV
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Acts 5:38 (KJV)

What does Acts 5:38 mean?

Acts 5:38 means that the speaker is advising others to leave the apostles alone and not interfere with them, because if what the apostles are doing is only a human idea or effort, it will eventually fail on its own. The verse suggests that human plans, if not from God, will not last.

In Acts 5:38, Gamaliel, a respected Jewish teacher, is speaking to the Jewish council (Sanhedrin) about how to handle the apostles who are preaching about Jesus. Gamaliel urges caution, reminding the council that if the apostles’ movement is merely human, it will collapse without their intervention. This advice comes after the council is considering harsh action against the apostles for their teaching.

The Greek behind Acts 5:38

  • The word "Refrain" (ἀπόστητε, apostēte) carries the sense of "withdraw" or "keep away from," emphasizing an active decision to not interfere.
  • "Counsel" (βουλή, boulē) refers to a plan or purpose, highlighting that Gamaliel is talking about both the apostles’ intentions and their actions.
  • "Come to nought" (καταλυθήσεται, katalythēsetai) means "will be destroyed" or "will collapse," stressing the idea that human efforts not rooted in God will naturally fall apart.

Why Acts 5:38 matters

  • Acts 5:38 clarifies that Gamaliel is not defending the apostles’ message but is advising a wait-and-see approach, which can be misunderstood as support.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by showing a moment of restraint and wisdom in the midst of strong opposition and potential violence.
  • This advice sets up the following verse, where Gamaliel adds that if the movement is from God, opposing it would mean fighting against God himself.

Where else these words appear

“now” Greek G3569 · used in 5 verses

  • Acts 4:29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
  • Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
  • Acts 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

“counsel” Greek G1012 · used in 12 verses

  • Luke 7:30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.
  • Acts 4:28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
  • Acts 27:42 And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.

“let” Greek G1439 · used in 13 verses

  • Matthew 24:43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
  • Acts 16:7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
  • Acts 27:40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.

“Refrain” Greek G868 · used in 15 verses

  • Luke 2:37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
  • Acts 5:37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
  • 2 Corinthians 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.