Devine Scripture

Acts 5:35

What does Acts 5:35 mean?

A plain-English look at Acts 5:35 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Acts 5:35 means

Gamaliel addresses the council, urging careful consideration in how they deal with the apostles. His opening appeal is pastoral and prudent: take heed to yourselves. The concern is not only about the apostles but about the council’s own position before God. He proposes reflection rather than impulsive violence. By framing the issue as one of caution, he lowers the temperature and invites a principled evaluation. The verse serves as a gateway to his historical examples, which will ground his counsel in precedent and common sense. Gamaliel models measured leadership in a volatile moment.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves as touching these men, what ye are about to do.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves as touching these men, what ye are about to do.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said to them, Men of Israel, take care what you do about these men.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and said unto them, `Men, Israelites, take heed to yourselves about these men, what ye are about to do,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he said to them: Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do, as touching these men.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and said to them, Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves as regards these men what ye are going to do;

Context

With the apostles temporarily outside, Gamaliel begins his advice. He positions the council to listen by urging caution. The argument will now proceed by citing two prior uprisings that failed after their leaders died. The next verses rehearse those cases to show that human-origin movements collapse. This prepares for his central conclusion: leave these men alone, for if their work is of God, it will succeed despite opposition. The flow moves from warning, to example, to principle, to recommended action.

v.34But there stood up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in honor of all the people, and commanded to put the men forth a little while.

v.35This passage

v.36For before these days rose up Theudas, giving himself out to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed, and came to nought.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 19:36

    Seeing then that these things cannot be gainsaid, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rash.

  • Acts 22:26

    And when the centurion heard it, he went to the chief captain and told him, saying, What art thou about to do? for this man is a Roman.

  • Jeremiah 26:19

    Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him to death? did he not fear Jehovah, and entreat the favor of Jehovah, and Jehovah repented him of the evil which he had pronounced against them? Thus should we commit great evil against our own souls.

  • Matthew 27:19

    And while he was sitting on the judgment-seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that righteous man; for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

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