Category:Gamaliel (subject)

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Rabbi Gamaliel in a medieval illumination


Gamaliel (1st century CE) was, according to Rabbinic and Christian traditions, a leader of the Pharisees at Jerusalem before the Jewish War.

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Overview

Gamaliel is mentioned in both Rabbinic and Christian sources.

The Mishnah introduces him as one of the greatest teacher of Israel and as such he is mentioned in the entire Rabbinic literature.

In the Acts of the Apostles, Gamaliel is praised for his tolerant attitude toward the first Christians. When Peter and John were brought before the Sanhedrin, Gamaliel favored their release (Acts 5). In a speech Paul remembered him as his Pharisaic teacher at Jerusalem (Acts 22:3).

Later Christian tradition would speculate on Gamaliel's (and Nicodemus') conversion and even made him a saint.

Gamaliel, in ancient sources

Acts of the Apostles

According to Acts, Paul as a Pharisee was "educated at the feet of Gamaliel" (22:3).

Acts 5:34-39 -- The high priest rose up, and all they that were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy, and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in public ward…. A Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up and… said: Fellow Israelites… some time ago Theudas stood up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him; but he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and disappeared. After him Judas the Galilean rose up at the time of the census and got people to follow him; he also perished, and all who followed him were scattered. So is the case [of Jesus]

Mishnah

"Since Rabban Gamaliel the Elder died, there has been no more reverence for the law, and purity and piety died out at the same time" [Mishnah Sotah 15:18].

Gamaliel in scholarship

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