ACTS 5:34-42: FRIDAY'S READING FOR REFLECTION
Manuel Tuazon
For: Friday, April 19, 1996
2nd Week of Easter
From: Acts 5:34-42
Gamaliel's Intervention
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[34] But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the
law, held in honor by all the people, stood up and ordered the men to
be put outside for a while. [35] And he said to them, "Men of Israel,
take care what you do with these men. [36] For before these days
Theudas arose, giving himself out to be somebody, and a number of men,
about four hundred, joined him; but he was slain and all who followed
him were dispersed and came to nothing. [37] After him Judas the
Galilean arose in the days of the census and drew away some of the
people after him; he also perished, and all who followed him were
scattered. [38] So in the present case I tell you, keep away from
these men and let them alone; for this plan or this undertaking is of
men, it will fail; [39] but if it is of God, you will not be able to
overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!"
The Apostles Are Flogged
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[40] So they took his advice, and when they had called in the Apostles,
they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and
let them go. [41] Then they left the presence of the council,
rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the
Name. [42] And every day in the temple and at home they did not cease
teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
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Commentary:
34-39. Gamaliel had been St. Paul's teacher (cf. 22:3). He belonged to
a moderate grouping among the Pharisees. He was a prudent man,
impartial and religiously minded. The Fathers of the Church often
propose him as an example of an upright man who is awaiting the Kingdom
of God and dares to defend the Apostles.
"Gamaliel does not say that the undertaking is of man or of God; he
recommends that they let time decide. [...] By speaking in the absence
of the Apostles he was better able to win over the judges. The
gentleness of his word and arguments, based on justice, convinced
them. He was almost preaching the Gospel. Indeed, his language is so
correct that he seemed to be saying: Be convinced of it: you cannot
destroy this undertaking. how is it that you do not believe? The
Christian message is so impressive that even its adversaries bear
witness to it" (St. John Chrysostom, "Hom. on Acts", 14).
This commentary seems to be recalling our Lord's words, "He that is not
against us is for us" (Mark 9:40). Certainly, Gamaliel's intervention
shows that a person with good will can discern God's action in events
or at least investigate objectively without prejudging the issue.
The revolts of Theudas and Judas are referred to by Flavius Josephus
(cf. "Jewish Antiquities", XVIII, 4-10; XX, 169-172), but the dates he
gives are vague; apparently these events occurred around the time of
Jesus' birth. Both Theudas and Judas had considerable following; they
revolted against the chosen people having to pay tribute to foreigners
such as Herod and Imperial Rome.
40-41. Most members of the Sanhedrin are unimpressed by Gamaliel's
arguments; they simply decide to go as far as they safely can: they do
not dare to condemn the Apostles to death; but, in their stubborn
opposition to the Gospel message, they decree that they by put under
the lash in the hope that this will keep them quiet. However, it has
just the opposite effect.
"It is true that Jeremiah was scourged for the word of God, and the
Elijah and other prophets were also threatened, but in this case the
Apostles, as they did earlier by their miracles, showed forth the power
of God. He does not say that they did not suffer, but that they
rejoiced over having to suffer. This we can see from the boldness
afterwards: immediately after being beaten they went back to preaching"
(Chrysostom, "Hom. on Acts", 14).
The Apostles must have remembered our Lord's words, "Blessed are you
when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil
against you falsely on My account. Rejoice and be glad, for so men
persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matthew 5:11-12).
42. The Apostles and the first disciples of Jesus were forever
preaching, with the result that very soon all Jerusalem was filled with
their teaching (cf. verse 28). These early brethren are an example to
Christians in every age: zeal to attract others to the faith is a
characteristic of every true disciple of Jesus and a consequence of
love of God and love of others: "You have but little love if you are
not zealous for the salvation of all souls. You have but poor love if
you are not eager to inspire other apostles with your craziness"
([Blessed] J. Escriva, "The Way", 796).
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Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text
taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentary
made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of
Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock,
Co. Dublin, Ireland. Printed in Hungary.
"Nihil Obstat": Stephen J. Greene, "Censor Deputatus".
"Imprimi Potest": J. O'Carroll, Diocesan Administrator, 15 October
1987.
Disclaimer: The views expressed herein are not necessarily those of Sun
Microsystems, Inc.
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