Acts 5:38

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

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}:

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Acts 5:38 captures the sagacious counsel of Gamaliel, a respected Pharisee and teacher of the Law, offered to the enraged Sanhedrin concerning the apostles. At a critical juncture when the Jewish high court intended to execute Peter and the other apostles for their continued preaching of Christ's resurrection, Gamaliel intervenes with a pragmatic and divinely insightful argument. He advises caution and patience, suggesting that if the apostles' movement is merely a human endeavor, it will inevitably fail, but if it originates from God, then human opposition will be futile and, more gravely, constitute a direct fight against God Himself.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 5:38 is situated within a dramatic narrative of the early church's rapid growth and the escalating conflict with Jewish authorities. Following the apostles' miraculous release from prison (Acts 5:17-23) and their immediate return to public preaching (Acts 5:24-25), they are once again brought before the Sanhedrin. Their defiant declaration, "[We ought to obey God rather than men](/acts/5-29 "Acts 5:29 - Obeying God Over Men")," fuels the council's fury, leading them to consider execution (Acts 5:33). It is precisely at this moment of intense hostility that Gamaliel, introduced as a respected teacher of the Law, steps forward to offer a voice of reason, effectively de-escalating the situation and preventing immediate bloodshed. His counsel marks a turning point, shifting the Sanhedrin's immediate focus from execution to a less severe punishment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Sanhedrin was the supreme Jewish judicial and legislative body in Jerusalem, composed of Sadducees and Pharisees. The Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection, were particularly incensed by the apostles' message of Jesus' resurrection, as it directly challenged their theological tenets and political authority. Gamaliel I, mentioned in [Acts 22:3](/acts/22-3 "Acts 22:3 - Paul's Education Under Gamaliel"), was a highly influential Pharisee, a grandson of the renowned Hillel the Elder, and a leading authority in Jewish law. His reputation as a wise and moderate figure, coupled with his position as a teacher of the Law (likely a member of the Sanhedrin himself), lent immense weight to his words. In a society where religious authority and tradition were paramount, Gamaliel's pragmatic approach, rooted in a deep understanding of God's sovereignty over human affairs, served as a crucial intervention, reflecting a common Jewish belief in divine providence.
* **Key Themes:** Gamaliel's counsel in [Acts 5](/acts/5 "Acts 5 - Early Church Conflicts and Growth") contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Acts. Firstly, it underscores the **Divine Sovereignty** over human endeavors; Gamaliel implicitly acknowledges that if the apostles' work is truly "of God," then no human power can thwart it. This theme resonates with the broader narrative of Acts, where God consistently supernaturally intervenes to advance His kingdom despite intense opposition, as seen in the apostles' miraculous release from prison in [Acts 5:19-20](/acts/5-19-20 "Acts 5:19-20 - Angelic Release from Prison"). Secondly, the passage highlights the importance of **Prudence and Discernment** in leadership. Gamaliel advocates for a "wait-and-see" approach, advising against rash judgment and violent action, a principle that contrasts sharply with the Sanhedrin's initial vengeful intentions. His wisdom serves as a model for discerning genuine divine movements from human-originated ones. Thirdly, it touches upon the theme of **Testing the Works**, providing a practical, albeit long-term, criterion for evaluating spiritual movements: what is merely human will ultimately fail, but what is divine will endure. This principle is a recurring motif in biblical wisdom literature, echoing sentiments found in [Proverbs 19:21](/proverbs/19-21 "Proverbs 19:21 - Many Plans, One Purpose") and [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God's Unchanging Purpose").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **counsel (Greek, _boulḗ'_):** From *boulomai*, meaning volition or purpose. In this context, it refers to the apostles' intentions, plans, or the underlying principles guiding their actions. Gamaliel considers not just their outward deeds but the very source and design of their movement.
* **work (Greek, _érgon'_):** From a primary (but obsolete) verb meaning "to work." It denotes toil, effort, or an act. Here, it refers to the apostles' specific activities, such as their preaching, healing, and the establishment of the Christian community. Gamaliel's use of "counsel or this work" (boulḗ or érgon) comprehensively covers both the conceptual and practical aspects of the apostles' ministry.
* **come to nought (Greek, _katalýō'_):** From *kata* (down) and *lyō* (to loosen). It means to loosen down, disintegrate, demolish, overthrow, or dissolve completely. This word emphasizes the inevitable and thorough failure or collapse of anything that is not divinely ordained. It implies a complete cessation of existence or influence, highlighting the ephemeral nature of human-centric endeavors when they oppose or merely exist outside of God's will.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone:"** Gamaliel, having gained the attention of the Sanhedrin, directly addresses them with a strong imperative. His counsel is to cease their aggressive actions against the apostles and to leave them undisturbed. This is a call for immediate de-escalation and a hands-off approach, allowing divine providence to unfold.
* **"for if this counsel or this work be of men,"** Gamaliel presents the first of two conditional possibilities. He posits that if the apostles' intentions ("counsel") and their actions ("work") originate purely from human will, wisdom, or power, then a specific outcome is guaranteed. This clause sets up a test for the divine or human origin of the burgeoning Christian movement.
* **"it will come to nought:"** This is the predicted outcome for any human-originated endeavor that does not align with God's ultimate plan. The phrase signifies that such an effort will inevitably fail, dissolve, or be overthrown. It implies a natural, self-destructive quality inherent in human-centric movements that lack divine backing, suggesting they will simply fade away without external intervention.

#### Literary Devices
Gamaliel's statement employs several potent **literary devices**. Firstly, he utilizes a powerful **Argument by Contrasting Outcomes**, presenting two mutually exclusive possibilities for the apostles' movement—either it is "of men" or "of God"—each with a distinct and inevitable result. This rhetorical strategy forces the Sanhedrin to consider the profound implications of their actions. Secondly, the verse functions as **Proverbial Wisdom**, articulating a timeless truth that transcends the immediate situation: human efforts lacking divine sanction are inherently ephemeral, while God's work is ultimately unstoppable. This lends an air of universal applicability to his advice. Finally, there is an element of **Dramatic Irony** at play. While Gamaliel's counsel is intended to prevent the Sanhedrin from "fighting against God," his words inadvertently foreshadow the enduring success of the very movement they sought to suppress. The Christian church, far from "coming to nought," would indeed prove to be "of God," making the Sanhedrin's continued opposition a tragic fulfillment of Gamaliel's warning.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Gamaliel's counsel in Acts 5:38 profoundly articulates the theological principle of divine sovereignty. It posits that God's purposes are ultimately unthwartable by human opposition. If a movement is genuinely "of God," then any human attempt to dismantle or suppress it is not only futile but also places the opposer in direct conflict with the Almighty. Conversely, if a movement is merely a human construct, it carries the seeds of its own demise and will naturally "come to nought" without divine sustenance. This provides a crucial framework for understanding the resilience and eventual triumph of the early church, not as a testament to human ingenuity or strength, but as a demonstration of God's unwavering will and power in establishing His kingdom. It calls believers to trust in God's ultimate control and warns against presumptuously opposing what might be His work.

* [Job 42:2](/job/42-2 "Job 42:2 - God's Plans Cannot Be Thwarted")
* [Proverbs 19:21](/proverbs/19-21 "Proverbs 19:21 - The Lord's Purpose Will Stand")
* [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Gamaliel's wisdom in Acts 5:38 offers timeless principles for discernment, patience, and humility, applicable to both individual believers and church leadership today. In a world often characterized by quick judgments and reactive responses, Gamaliel's advice to "refrain... and let them alone" encourages a posture of thoughtful observation rather than immediate condemnation or endorsement of new movements, teachings, or initiatives. It reminds us that true spiritual fruit is often revealed over time, and what is genuinely from God will bear lasting fruit and endure, while human-driven fads or errors will eventually dissipate. For those engaged in God's work, this verse serves as a powerful reassurance that genuine divine endeavors, even in the face of intense opposition, will ultimately prevail because God Himself is their source and sustainer. Conversely, it issues a profound warning against opposing what might be God's work, urging humility and a careful examination of our motives and actions lest we find ourselves "fighting against God." This calls for a spirit of prayerful discernment, seeking God's wisdom to rightly discern His hand at work in the world and to align ourselves with His purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Gamaliel's counsel challenge our tendency toward immediate judgment or opposition to things we don't understand in the church or wider world?**
* **In what areas of your life or ministry might you need to "refrain and let alone," trusting God to reveal His true work over time?**
* **What are the potential dangers of prematurely condemning or embracing a new spiritual movement without sufficient discernment?**
* **How can we cultivate a greater trust in God's sovereignty, believing that His purposes will ultimately stand, regardless of human efforts?**

### FAQ
**What was Gamaliel's motivation for offering this advice?**

Answer: Gamaliel's motivation appears to be a combination of prudence, respect for due process, and a profound theological understanding of divine sovereignty. As a highly respected Pharisee and teacher of the Law, he likely sought to prevent a rash decision by the Sanhedrin that could lead to bloodshed and potentially place them in opposition to God. He understood that if the apostles' movement was indeed of God, human efforts to suppress it would be futile and dangerous. His counsel reflects a wise, wait-and-see approach, allowing time and divine providence to reveal the true nature of the apostles' work, thereby protecting both the Sanhedrin from a grave error and the apostles from immediate execution.

**Does Gamaliel's advice mean we should never oppose anything new or controversial in the church?**

Answer: No, Gamaliel's advice does not advocate for an indiscriminate acceptance of all new movements or teachings. Rather, it promotes **prudent discernment** and **patience** before taking drastic action. The Bible also calls believers to "[test the spirits](/1_john/4-1 "1 John 4:1 - Test the Spirits") to see whether they are from God," and to "[examine everything carefully](/1_thessalonians/5-21 "1 Thessalonians 5:21 - Test Everything") and hold fast to that which is good." Gamaliel's point is that if something is truly "of men," it will eventually fail on its own, whereas if it is "of God," human opposition is futile and dangerous. Therefore, the advice encourages a careful, prayerful, and patient evaluation, rather than immediate, violent suppression, especially when the divine origin is uncertain.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Gamaliel's prophetic words in Acts 5:38 find their ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus' entire ministry, His "counsel" (His teachings and divine wisdom) and His "work" (His miracles, suffering, death, and resurrection), was undeniably "of God." Despite intense human opposition—from the religious authorities, political powers, and even the rejection of His own people—Jesus' mission did not "come to nought." The crucifixion, seemingly the ultimate human attempt to bring His work to an end, was in fact God's sovereign plan for redemption, as foretold in [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"). His resurrection powerfully demonstrated that His "work" was not "of men" but "of God," shattering the bonds of death and proving His divine authority (cf. [Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Declared Son of God by Resurrection")). The enduring church, built upon the foundation of Christ and the apostles, continues His "work" and proclaims His "counsel" (the Gospel) throughout the world, precisely because it is empowered by the Holy Spirit and sustained by God Himself. Just as human efforts could not destroy Christ's work, so too the "gates of hell shall not prevail against" His church (cf. [Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - The Church Built on Christ")). Gamaliel's principle, therefore, serves as a powerful testimony to the unassailable and eternal nature of God's redemptive plan in Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 15:13

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

Lamentations 3:37

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

Job 5:12

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

Job 5:14

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

Psalms 33:10

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

Psalms 33:11

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

Isaiah 7:5

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