Who was Gamaliel in the Bible?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Two Gamaliels are mentioned in the Bible, with the first being a leader of the Israelite tribe of Manasseh during Moses' time. He was chosen by God to lead his tribe and commanded a large army as the Israelites journeyed from Sinai. The second Gamaliel, known as Gamaliel the Elder, was a prominent Jewish teacher of the Law in the first century AD and a respected authority in the Sanhedrin. His intervention in the trial of the apostles, urging caution and trust in God, spared their lives and showcased his wisdom and influence. Gamaliel's mentorship of Paul before his conversion demonstrates the profound impact a mentor can have in shaping beliefs and actions, emphasizing the importance of discipleship grounded in respect, wisdom, and a shared pursuit of truth. This legacy of mentoring offers timeless lessons for contemporary discipleship, reminding us of the transformative power of mentorship in nurturing character, fostering growth, and perpetuating wisdom for future generations.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Two men are named Gamaliel in the Bible. The first is Gamaliel, son of Pedahzur who was the head of the Israelite tribe of Manasseh while under Moses' leadership. He was chosen by God to lead his family's tribe in Numbers 1:10. In Numbers 7:54–59 he is seen giving an offering on behalf of his tribe at the tabernacle's consecration, and he is later seen leading his tribe's 32,200 man army (Numbers 2:20–21) as the Israelites set out from Sinai in Numbers 10:23.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The second Gamaliel mentioned in the Bible is the Jewish teacher of the Law during the first century AD known as Gamaliel the Elder. Gamaliel the Elder was the grandson of the great Jewish Rabbi Hillel the Elder, and he kept to Hillel's interpretation of Jewish law.
• Gamaliel became a leading authority in the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish court in Jerusalem. In fact, this is how he is first mentioned in Acts 5. The apostles were on trial for preaching about Jesus, and the Sanhedrin wanted to put them to death. "But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up" (Acts 5:34). Gamaliel urged the court to "let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!" (Acts 5:38–39). Because he was well respected "by all the people" and his speech was measured and persuasive, "they took his advice" (Acts 5:39). Thus, the apostles' lives were spared because Gamaliel stepped in.
• Gamaliel was also the rabbi who had instructed Paul before his conversion. Paul touted this tutelage under Gamaliel as a credential for why the Jewish crowd in Jerusalem should hear him out in Acts 22:3. He said, "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day." Under Gamaliel's teaching, Paul developed expert knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures, and this educational pedigree gave him access to preach in the synagogues wherever he traveled (Acts 17:2).
• Gamaliel's influence extended beyond just his own teaching, impacting Paul and Paul's understanding of Jesus being the fulfillment of the Jewish law (Matthew 5:17).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Gamaliel, the teacher of Law provides lessons on the significance and responsibility of mentoring and discipling. His legacy exemplifies the impact a mentor can have on shaping the beliefs, knowledge, and actions of their mentee. Gamaliel's commitment to passing down his expertise in Jewish law to Paul not only equipped him with scholarly acumen but seems to have instilled in him a reverence for God and a nuanced understanding of Scripture.

Gamaliel's advice to the Sanhedrin demonstrates the value of taking a measured approach to teachers claiming to be of God. Human endeavors founded in deception will ultimately fail, but God's purposes will always prevail. Paul later gave the Thessalonians this advice, "but test everything; hold fast what is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

UNDERSTAND

• There are two men named Gamaliel in the Bible.
• The Gamaliel of the Old Testament was the head of the Israelite tribe of Manasseh under Moses. He was chosen by God to lead his tribe and thus was the representative who gave offerings for Manasseh at the tabernacle's consecration and led their 32,200-man army from Sinai.
• The Gamaliel of the New Testament was a first-century Jewish teacher of the Law and the grandson of Rabbi Hillel. He was a respected Sanhedrin authority who saved the apostles from execution and who taught Paul.

REFLECT

• How does understanding the leadership and actions of Gamaliel, son of Pedahzur, in the Old Testament influence your perspective on God’s selection and guidance of leaders in your own life?
• In what ways can the wisdom and measured approach of Gamaliel the Elder in the New Testament inspire you to act with discernment and respect in your own community or leadership roles?
• Considering Paul’s tutelage under Gamaliel the Elder, how are you encouraged to mentor and disciple others in their own spiritual journey and growth?

ENGAGE

• Church tradition suggests that Gamaliel became a Christian and was baptized along with Nicodemus by Peter and John. What can we hold as truth when it is merely tradition that gives us information about someone or something?
• Tradition also says he continued in his role in the Sanhedrin to clandestinely assist fellow Christians, and for this reason Gamaliel is venerated as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Even if evangelicals do not venerate saints, what can we learn from the lives of Christians who have gone before us?
• The Jewish historian, Josephus, only mentions Gamaliel in a Jewish context, and the Bible records no further details. Therefore, Gamaliel's conversion to Christianity cannot be confirmed. Whether or not he ultimately accepted the gospel, Gamaliel was a well-respected man among both Christian and Jewish circles and his contributions to the faith cannot be denied even if they happened inadvertently.