ACC ~ Acts 5 v33 - 42

OVERVIEW:

Luke’s presentation of Gamaliel’s advice is probably intended to portray the possibility of a reasoned tolerance on the part of the old Israel in its relation to the new Israel. Chrysostom once again holds the apostles up as models of joy and equanimity in the face of persecution, a theme also present in Luke’s theology. Bede shows himself quite interested in the historical information available to him about Gamaliel, Theudas and Judas. This preoccupation was not new, as the anonymous author(s) cited by Cramer indicate. These, with their recourse to Josephus, or more probably Eusebius or Chrysostom, may have been the source of Bede’s information. Modern historians question the chronological discrepancy between Luke’s account of Theudas and Judas and that of Josephus.

5:33 | Wanting to Kill the Apostles

DO EVIL, SUFFER EVIL. CHRYSOSTOM: “And they wanted to kill them.” Behold again these in perplexity and in pain, and those relaxed, in high spirits and joyous. Not only did they suffer pain, but also they were enraged. This then illustrates the proverb, “Do evil, suffer evil.” These men were in chains, they had come to be judged in court; but the men who sat in judgment were in danger, in perplexity, in great helplessness. For the person who strikes a blow on steel receives the force of the blow himself. And they saw that not only was [the apostles’] boldness of speech not stopped, but their preaching even increased, and they spoke without a thought of fear and yielded them no advantages. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 13.

5:34 | Gamaliel Stood

A COMPANION TO THE APOSTLES. BEDE: This Gamaliel, as Clement indicates, was a companion of the apostles in faith, but by their decision he remained among the Jews so that he might be able to calm their fury in such a storm as this. COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 5.34.

5:35 | Take Care What You Do

FREEDOM FROM PASSION. CHRYSOSTOM: Please note how Gamaliel discourses with gentleness. He speaks briefly to them and relates no ancient stories (though he could have), but he tells of recent events that are powerful in producing belief. He hints at this himself by saying, “For before these days,” meaning, not many days ago. If he had opened by saying, “Let these men go,” he would have aroused suspicion and his speech would not have been effective. Coming after the examples, however, it acquired its own force. … See how mild his manner is, the speech not long but succinct, and his mention even of those [imposters] without anger. “And all who followed him were scattered,” he says. All this without blaspheming Christ. … Again, he checks them by the impossibility and the inexpediency of the thing, saying, “You might even be found opposing God!” HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 14.

5:36 | All Came to Nothing

THEUDAS ROSE UP. BEDE: This Theudas, as Josephus relates, by his power over them persuaded many who were brought out of the city to throng to the banks of the Jordan. And, since he was a magician, he said that he was a prophet and that he could provide a way across when the waters of the river were parted by his command. Under the command of the procurator Fadus a throng of horsemen overtook him, and after the slaying and capture of many they brought his head back to Jerusalem. COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 5.36.

5:37 | Judas the Galilean

NO TRIBUTE TO CAESAR. BEDE: Josephus also writes about this Gaulanite of the city Gamala who, when he was drawn into the undertaking by a certain Pharisee called Sadducus, urged the people not to lose their freedom by paying tribute to the Romans, “showing from the law” that the Lord alone was to be served and that they who were bringing tithes to the temple should not pay tribute to Caesar. “This heretical sect grew so large that it even stirred up a large part of the Pharisees and the people, so that” they believed that “the Lord Christ should be asked, ‘Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not?’” COMMENTARY ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 5.37.

5:40 | Taking Gamaliel’s Advice

GAMALIEL ALL BUT PREACHES THE GOSPEL. CHRYSOSTOM: And he did not say, “if Christ is God,” but his action makes this clear. He pronounces no judgment on whether it is “of men” or “of God” but entrusts the judgment to the future. “They were persuaded.” Then why did you whip them? Such was the incontrovertible justice of his speech that they could not look it in the face; nevertheless, they satisfied their own anger, and again they expected to terrify them in this way. Because the apostles were not present at his speech, he gained a greater hearing, and the sweetness of his words and the justice of his speech persuaded them. In fact, this man all but preached the gospel. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 14.

5:41 | Rejoicing in Suffering

THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF JOY. CHRYSOSTOM: Let us take someone of consular rank, possessed of great wealth and living in the imperial city, who has no business to conduct but is at leisure to live in luxury, seated at the very summit of wealth, honor and power. And let us set against him a Peter, in chains, in evils beyond enumeration, and we will find the latter living in greater luxury. For where there is such an excess of joy, so that one is happy even in chains, imagine how great the joy must be! For just as those in high office, no matter how many terrible things happen, do not perceive them but continue in enjoyment, likewise these men rejoiced all the more precisely because of these circumstances. For it is altogether impossible to put into words the great joy that came to those who suffered something terrible for Christ’s sake. For they delighted more in sufferings than in good things. If someone loves Christ, he understands what I am saying. But what about safety? What owner of countless riches, I ask, could escape so many dangers, visiting so many different peoples for the sole purpose of transforming their way of life? For they accomplished everything as if by imperial decree, only more easily. For a decree would not have been so effectual as were the words of those men. An imperial decree compels by necessity, but these men drew followers who came willingly, spontaneously and grateful beyond measure. What imperial decree, I ask, could have persuaded people to part with all their property and their lives, to despise home, country, kindred and even self-preservation? Yet the voices of fishermen and tentmakers accomplished this, so that they were both happy and stronger, more powerful than all others. HOMILIES ON THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES 13.

PERSEVERANCE IN HOPE. POLYCARP OF SMYRNA: Let us then continually persevere in our hope and the earnest of our righteousness, which is Jesus Christ, “who bore our sins in his own body on the tree,” “who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth,” but who endured all things for us, that we might live in him. Let us then be imitators of his patience; and if we suffer for his name’s sake, let us glorify him. For he has set us this example in himself, and we have believed that such is the case. LETTER TO THE PHILIPPIANS 8.

SUPERIORITY OF VIRTUE. CHRYSOSTOM: Of course, the scourging was no cause of satisfaction, to be sure—rather of pain and distress; but scourging for the sake of God and the grounds on which they were scourged gave rise to satisfaction in them. … Such a powerful and invincible thing is virtue, proving superior even in the course of suffering such torments. HOMILIES ON GENESIS 23.6.