Gamaliel’s Advice

³³ When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them.^{(A) 34} A Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law who was respected by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered the men^[a] to be taken outside for a little while.^{(B) 35} He said to them, “Men of Israel, be careful about what you’re going to do to these men. ³⁶ Not long ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about 400 men rallied to him. He was killed, and all his partisans were dispersed and came to nothing.^{(C) 37} After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and attracted a following.^[b] That man also perished, and all his partisans were scattered. ³⁸ And now, I tell you, stay away from these men and leave them alone. For if this plan or this work is of men, it will be overthrown;^{(D) 39} but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even be found fighting against God.” So they were persuaded by him.^(E)