The Pharisees believed in the existence of angels, in the resurrection of the dead, and in the possibility of seeing God in our world. Therefore, when they heard that the apostles had been released from the locked prison, they became fearful. They could neither deny the possibility of Jesus’ resurrection, nor of His interference in the council.
Gamaliel, the leader of the Pharisees and a learned scholar and eminent doctor of the law, stood up. Later he would become the religious mentor of Paul. This man, who was highly respected by all the people, spoke to moderate the fury of the agitated council. Gamaliel was not sure if the hand of God was working with the apostles, or if these men had really been sent by the Most High. This scholar had looked fixedly at them, and seen neither quarrelsomeness nor impudence. Instead, there had been courage, love, and uprightness. They did not appear to be heretics or evil men. In his wisdom and prudence, he advised his colleagues of the high council to take their time and not speak out a death sentence. He did not want to have innocent blood shed once again, lest the council stand ignorantly against the will of God.
Gamaliel did not believe in Jesus Christ, nor did he decide to answer the apostles’ call. Nevertheless, the living Lord used the humble teacher of the law at this critical hour to preserve His apostles, and keep them as witnesses to His resurrection.
How strange that this scholar did not use the Law as a reference to support his argument, but rather, guided the audience via experimental truths. Political leaders and founders of heresies are known to exploit their followers. If, however, the power in them was not of God, their followers would soon disperse, following the death of their leaders. God alone gives to His kingdom its beginning, continuity, and end. Furthermore, Christ is the author and finisher of faith in His followers.
Today we may examine Gamaliel’s remarks about the person of Jesus in an analytical way. Christ´s movement did not fade into obscurity after His death, but lived on, as vigorous and flourishing as ever. Today it covers half of the world, and shows that it is not of men, but of God.
There was no unanimous agreement by the seventy members of the high council. A great number of them felt remorse for agreeing to a deliberate extermination of twenty upright men. Thus they agreed to wait and cast no present verdict. Nevertheless, enraged members of the council and the high priest, craving for vengeance and severe punishment, compelled the council to have each one of the brave and innocent benefactors whipped with thirty-nine blows on their bare backs.
The guards led each of the accused disciples out. In accordance with the unjust decision of the high council, the whips soon stung their bare backs. They did not object, but chose to joyfully suffer disgrace. They bore their sufferings with invincible cheerfulness, for they were not suffering because of their own offences, but for the name of Jesus Christ alone. The Lord had said to them: “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.” (Mt. 5:11-12)
What was the result of this decisive hearing? The mention of Jesus’ name continued to be forbidden. Even today, its mention remains undesirable among the Jews. He who pronounces it, however, is not killed or persecuted. The church had a break from the persecution for some time. They preached publicly in Jesus’ name, in spite of the prohibition. Nevertheless, the sword of danger remained drawn over their heads.
After the whipping, the apostles proceeded joyfully and boldly to the courtyard of the temple. There they continued their activity of bearing witness to the One who had been raised triumphantly from the dead. On their arms and on their backs they bore, for all to see, the marks of the lashes given them. The people realized that the rulers of their nation hated the name of Jesus just as much as they did before, and that every one who believed in Him was exposed to persecution. This danger, however, had separated the chaff from the wheat, and made the believers steadfast and sedate. The Lord made grace abound to them every day.
The apostles continued visiting homes, teaching believers, and confirming them in the Scriptures, Psalms, and Prophets. They interpreted to them the words of Jesus, which they themselves had heard from Him and collected. At the same time, the shepherds looked for their lost sheep and preached to the multitudes in the temple. They offered them complete salvation in Him who had been crucified. The content of their message was crystallized in two short statements: Jesus is the Messiah, the One who was crucified and raised from the dead, and that this rejected Nazarene is the divine King, who reigns today in heaven at the right hand of God. The apostles were not afraid, but testified freely that Jesus Christ is the only hope for all men.