Acts 5:38

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:

And {G2532} now {G3569} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, Refrain {G868} from {G575} these {G5130} men {G444}, and {G2532} let {G1439} them {G846} alone {G1439}: for {G3754} if {G1437} this {G3778} counsel {G1012} or {G2228} this {G5124} work {G2041} be {G5600} of {G1537} men {G444}, it will come to nought {G2647}:

So in the present case, my advice to you is not to interfere with these people, but to leave them alone. For if this idea or this movement has a human origin, it will collapse.

So in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone. Let them go! For if their purpose or endeavor is of human origin, it will fail.

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 be overthrown:

Commentary

Commentary on Acts 5:38 (KJV)

Acts 5:38 presents a pivotal moment in the early history of the Christian church, offering profound wisdom from an unexpected source. This verse records the counsel of Gamaliel, a highly respected Pharisee and doctor of the Law, to the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish court.

Context

The apostles, particularly Peter and John, had been repeatedly arrested and commanded by the Sanhedrin not to preach in the name of Jesus. Despite threats and imprisonment (from which they were miraculously freed), they continued to boldly proclaim the resurrection of Christ, declaring, "We ought to obey God rather than men." The Sanhedrin was enraged and intended to execute them. It is at this critical juncture that Gamaliel, known for his wisdom and as the teacher of Saul of Tarsus (Acts 22:3), steps forward to offer a voice of reason and caution, preventing a rash decision.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty vs. Human Endeavor: Gamaliel's core argument is a powerful statement on the ultimate source of any movement or work. He suggests that if the apostles' "counsel or this work" is merely of human origin, it will naturally "come to nought" or fail. However, if it is truly from God, then human opposition will be futile, and the Sanhedrin would find themselves "fighting against God." This theme underscores the belief that God's plans cannot be thwarted by human hands.
  • Prudence and Patience in Judgment: Gamaliel advises against hasty and violent action. His counsel promotes a wait-and-see approach, allowing time to reveal the true nature and origin of the apostles' ministry. This highlights the importance of discernment and careful consideration before condemning or opposing a new movement, especially one claiming divine inspiration.
  • Testing the Works: The verse provides a pragmatic test for truth and divine origin. Time and outcome serve as indicators: what is merely human will eventually dissolve, but what is divine will endure and cannot be overthrown. This principle has been applied throughout history to evaluate religious movements and teachings.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "come to nought" translates the Greek word kataluō (καταλύω), which means to destroy, pull down, overthrow, or dissolve completely. It implies a thorough and inevitable failure or collapse. This emphasizes the certainty of human-originated efforts failing when pitted against God's will. The terms "counsel" (boulē) and "work" (ergon) cover both the apostles' intentions and their actions, demonstrating the comprehensive scope of Gamaliel's evaluation.

Practical Application

Gamaliel's advice in Acts 5:38 offers timeless wisdom for believers and leaders today:

  • Discernment: It encourages careful discernment when evaluating new ideas, ministries, or teachings within the church. Instead of immediate condemnation or acceptance, patience and observation can reveal whether something is truly from God or merely a human invention.
  • Trust in God's Plan: For those who believe in God's work, this verse is a reminder that genuine divine movements will ultimately prevail, regardless of opposition. The gates of hell cannot prevail against God's church (Matthew 16:18).
  • Avoiding Opposition to God: It serves as a strong warning against opposing what might be God's work. To do so is to place oneself in direct conflict with the Almighty, a battle that cannot be won.
  • Humility: It promotes humility in leadership, acknowledging that human understanding is limited and that God's ways are often beyond immediate comprehension.

In essence, Acts 5:38 teaches that truth, when divinely ordained, possesses an inherent resilience and power that transcends human efforts to suppress it, ultimately confirming its origin and purpose.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 15:13 (9 votes)

    But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

  • Lamentations 3:37 (5 votes)

    ¶ Who [is] he [that] saith, and it cometh to pass, [when] the Lord commandeth [it] not?

  • Job 5:12 (4 votes)

    He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform [their] enterprise.

  • Job 5:14 (4 votes)

    They meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope in the noonday as in the night.

  • Psalms 33:10 (4 votes)

    The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.

  • Psalms 33:11 (4 votes)

    The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

  • Isaiah 7:5 (4 votes)

    Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have taken evil counsel against thee, saying,