Acts 5:38
And now, therefore, I say to you, refrain from these men, and let them alone; for if this council or this work be of men, it will come to nought;
Open Acts 5:38 in the Motif Searcher, word by word across all five texts →Show on the spiral →The verse in its languages
- Vulgate (Clementine)
- Et nunc itaque dico vobis, discedite ab hominibus istis, et sinite illos : quoniam si est ex hominibus consilium hoc aut opus, dissolvetur :
- Greek New Testament (SBLGNT)
- καὶ τὰ νῦν λέγω ὑμῖν, ἀπόστητε ἀπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων τούτων καὶ ἄφετε αὐτούς· (ὅτι ἐὰν ᾖ ἐξ ἀνθρώπων ἡ βουλὴ αὕτη ἢ τὸ ἔργον τοῦτο, καταλυθήσεται,
The Fathers on this verse
St John Chrysostom A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles, Homily XIV on Acts v. 34
This Gamaliel was Paul’s teacher. And one may well wonder, how, being so right-minded in his judgment, and withal learned in the law, he did not yet believe. But it cannot be that he should have continued in unbelief to the end. Indeed it appears plainly from the words he here speaks. He “commanded,” it says, “to put the men forth a little space [and said unto them.]” Observe how judiciously he frames his speech, and how he immediately at the very outset puts them in fear. And that he may not be suspected of taking their part, he addresses them as if he and they were of the same opinion, and does not use much vehemence, but as speaking to men intoxicated through passion, he thus expresses himself: “Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.” ( v. 35 .) Do not, he would say, go to work rashly and in a hurry. …
St John Chrysostom A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles, Homily XIV on Acts v. 34
But let us look over again what has been spoken. “Ye men of Israel take heed to yourselves.”(Recapitulation, v. 35 .) See here, I pray you, how mildly Gamaliel reasons, and how he says but a few words to them, and does not recount ancient histories, although he might have done so, but more recent instances, which are most powerful to produce belief. With this view he throws out a hint himself, saying, “For before these days” ( v. 36 ): meaning, not many days before. Now had he at once said, “Let these men go,” both himself would have fallen into suspicion, and his speech would not have been so effective: but after the examples, it acquired its own proper force. And he mentions not one instance, but a second also: “for,” saith the Scripture, “in the mouth of two witnesses” ( Matt. xviii. 16 ): and yet he had it in his power to mention even three. “Refrain from these men.” ( v. …