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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Act_5:33-39
33But when they heard this, they were cut to the quick and intended to kill them. 34But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. 35And he said to them, "Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men. 36For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census and drew away some people after him; he too perished, and all those who followed him were scattered. 38So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; 39but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God."
Act_5:33
NASB "they were cut to the quick"
NKJV "they were furious"
NRSV "they were enraged"
TEV "they were so furious"
NJB "this so infuriated them"
This term literally means "cut with a saw" or "gnash with the teeth." This very same term in the same form is also used in Act_7:54, where the added phrase, "cut to the heart," shows the full metaphorical sense (see also Luk_2:35). This strong term (i.e., diaprô) is similar in meaning to Act_2:37 a.
▣ "intended to kill them" This is an imperfect middle (deponent) indicative, implying that (1) they began at this point to try to kill them or (2) this was a recurrent plan and desire. From our knowledge of the early church's growth from #Acts , 1 fits best. Notice it is the Sadducees who expressed this anger and murderous intent. It is just possible that the Pharisees (i.e., Gamaliel) saw the early church as a useful thorn to poke at the Sadducean rejection of resurrection in general. Pharisees would not want to affirm the resurrection of Jesus, but would affirm the concept of a resurrection followed by a future life with God.
It is surprising to modern Bible readers that religious leaders could plan murder. Remember these were Sadducees committed to the writings of Moses, which commanded that a blasphemer must be stoned to death. These leaders thought they were acting on God's behalf and in conformity to His word (cf. Lev_24:10-16).
Act_5:34 "Pharisees" See Special Topic following.
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Act_5:36-37 "Theudas. . .Judas of Galilee" Josephus mentions these same two names (cf. Antiq. 20.5.1). However, he listed them in the reverse order. Further historical information shows that there were two persons by this name who were Jewish zealots against Rome. Therefore, both the NT and Josephus could be accurate. The one mentioned by Gamaliel rebelled in a.d. 6, whereas the one mentioned by Josephus rebelled in a.d. 44.
Act_5:37 "in the days of the census" Josephus (cf. Antiq.18.1.1; Wars 2.8.1) tells us that Augustus ordered a tax to be levied on the Jews, soon after Archelaus was dethroned and Quirinius was made legate of Syria (i.e., about a.d. 6-7). These census for taxation purposes occurred every fourteen years, but took years to complete.
▣ "Judas of Galilee" He is mentioned several times by Josephus (cf. Antiq. 18.1.1-6; 20.5.2 and also in Wars 2.8.1; 2.17.8-9). His revolt occurred in about a.d. 6 or 7. He was the founder of the zealot movement. The zealots (Josephus calls them "the fourth philosophy) and the Sicarii (i.e., assassins) are possibly the same political movement.
Act_5:38 "stay away from these men and let them alone" What surprising advice! This phrase has two aorist active imperatives.
1. aphistçmi, separate, put away
2. aphiçmi, send away, dismiss
▣ "if" This is a third class conditional sentence, which means potential action.
Act_5:39 "if" This is a first class conditional sentence, which usually denotes an affirmation of truth, but here it cannot be true. This shows the literary use of this grammatical form.
▣ "or else you may even be found fighting against God" It must be remembered that these religious leaders think they are acting on God's behalf. The very fact that Gamaliel speaks the possibility of their being sincerely wrong is a shocking statement (cf. Act_11:17).