Illustration created for this project.
Gamaliel
A respected Pharisee and teacher of the Law, mentor of Paul, who counselled restraint toward the apostles.
What we know — and how we know it
Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 1
Ancient writers — non-biblical testimony · 1
Life, role & deeds
BibleA Pharisee and honoured teacher of the Law whose counsel of restraint spared the apostles; Paul was raised 'at his feet'.
Acts 5:34–39; 22:3
Wikimedia Commons — Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)
Ancient writersHe is Rabban Gamaliel the Elder, a leading first-century sage cited again and again in the Mishnah and later rabbinic tradition.
Mishnah Sotah 9:15 (his death: 'the glory of the Torah ceased') and Gittin 4:2–3 (his legal ordinances); named as Paul's teacher in Acts 22:3
Where in scripture
ActsNow I tell you, withdraw from these men, and leave them alone. For if this counsel or this work is of men, it will be overthrown.
Acts 5:38 — 'Leave them alone'
“I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict tradition of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as you all are today.
Acts 22:3 — Paul's teacher
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation.
In their own words — 1 recorded saying
“And he said to them, Men of Israel, take care what you do about these men. For before this there was Theudas, who said he was someone important, to whom about four hundred men gave their support: he was put to death, and his band was broken up and came to nothing. After this man, there was Judas of Galilee, at the time of the numbering, and some of the people went after him: he was put to death, and all his supporters were put to flight. And now I say to you, Do nothing to these men, but let them be: for if this teaching or this work is of men, it will come to nothing: But if it is of God,…” — Acts 5:35-39
Speaker attribution: Clear Bible MACULA (CC BY 4.0). Wording: Bible in Basic English (public domain).
Places in their life
Photo: Godot13 — CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
In art
