p. 279 | Who Was Gamaliel?

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, Cal. · May 7, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 18.

Who Was Gamaliel?

THE name Gamaliel is chiefly thought of now as the name of the Jewish rabbi or teacher at whose feet Paul represents himself as having been brought up. Acts 22:3.

A great many notices are found in the rabbinical writings of this man (see Lightfoot, Horae Hebraicae, Acts 5:34), from which it appears that he was held in the highest respect among his countrymen. He is there reported to have been the son of Rabbi Simeon, and grandson of the famous Hillel; to have had the presidency of the Sanhedrin at Jerusalem during the reign of Tiberius, Caligula, and Claudius, and to have survived the destruction of Jerusalem eighteen years. These accounts cannot altogether be relied on; but they may fairly be taken as evidence of the high place held by Gamaliel about the period of the gospel era, among Jewish authorities. In the same writings, the epithet of hazoken, the aged, or the elder, is frequently ascribed to him. There is a patristic tradition of his having become a Christian, and received baptism from the apostles Peter and John; but it is entitled to no credit.

On the one occasion in which Gamaliel appears taking any part in connection with Christianity, it was not as an advocate of its claims, but as a man of moderation and prudence, restraining the intemperate zeal of his fellow-councilors, and advising them to leave matters to the testing influence of time. His speech may certainly be regarded as indicating both a broader and a calmer view of the subject than was taken by others around him; but it bespoke no leaning toward Christianity itself. It had, however, the effect of saving the apostles from immediate violence; and in that point of view is to be regarded as among the means employed by God for shielding the infant cause of the gospel. But men could not remain long in the neutral position of Gamaliel; and within a few years afterwards, the most noted representative of the school of Gamaliel, Saul of Tarsus, comes forth breathing threatenings and slaughter against the followers of Jesus.—Imperial Bible Dictionary.