“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:”
'Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail' - Gamaliel's counsel is the voice of prudent restraint: 'Leave these men alone' (aphete tous anthrōpous toutous). His reasoning is elegant: if the apostles' movement is merely human, it will collapse under its own weight, as Theudas and Judas did. Restraint becomes wisdom.
Church Fathers on Acts 5:38
For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody: to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to naught. Acts 5:36 By examples he teaches them prudence; and, by way of encouragement, mentions last the man who seduced the greatest number. Now before he gives the examples, he says, Take heed to yourselves; but when he has cited them, then he declares his opinion,…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a reflection on this verse
No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!