Acts 5:38
What does Acts 5:38 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 5:38 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 5:38 means
Gamaliel concludes: keep away from these men and let them alone. If their counsel or work is from men, it will be overthrown. His advice is pragmatic and theological—history shows that human schemes collapse, and God alone makes a work endure. He doesn’t affirm the apostles’ message, but he warns against hasty suppression. The recommendation gives space for God’s verdict over time. The wisdom here is to avoid making themselves executioners of a potentially divine mission. The principle subtly invites the council to consider whether the apostles’ persistence and power signal God’s hand.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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:
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And now I say to you, Do nothing to these men, but let them be: for if this teaching or this work is of men, it will come to nothing:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and now I say to you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone, because if this counsel or this work may be of men, it will be overthrown,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And now, therefore, I say to you: Refrain from these men and let them alone. For if this council or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And now I say to you, Withdraw from these men and let them alone, for if this counsel or this work have its origin from men, it will be destroyed;
Context
After two historical examples, Gamaliel states his principle and applies it. The counsel aims to prevent the council from rash bloodshed and potential opposition to God. The next verse sharpens the theological warning: if it is of God, you will be found fighting against Him. The argument slows passions and elevates the fear of God. The council will accept his advice, yet still punish the apostles and command silence. This will lead to the apostles’ rejoicing in suffering and continued preaching, demonstrating the very endurance Gamaliel suggested would mark a work of God.
v.37After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the enrolment, and drew away some of the people after him: he also perished; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad.
v.38This passage
v.39but if it is of God, ye will not be able to overthrow them; lest haply ye be found even to be fighting against God.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Job 5:12
He frustrateth the devices of the crafty, So that their hands cannot perform their enterprise.
- John 11:48
If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.
- Lamentations 3:37
Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?
- Matthew 15:13
But he answered and said, Every plant which my heavenly Father planted not, shall be rooted up.
- Isaiah 14:25
that I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulder.
- Isaiah 8:9
Make an uproar, O ye peoples, and be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and be broken in pieces.
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