Verse 38: “And now I say to you stand-down from these men and leave them. If from men is this thing it will become nothing.”

Stand-down: Move away from what they were considering doing.

It will become nothing: If it has originated from men it will be condemned to fail

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Verse 39: “But if from God it is you are not able to destroy it, lest also you are found warring with God.”

Gamliel, as part of the Sanhedrin, would have been very aware of Yeshua. He would have understood His trial, as he would have seen and followed these things. Now, hearing an Apostolic presentation of it, in light of understanding Torah law and principles, he is cautioning his peers to not fight against it in the event that it is of God.

Verse 40: “They were persuaded to him and they called the Apostles; they beat them and commanded then not to speak upon the name of Yeshua and they freed them.”

Were persuaded to him: Gamliel, because of his character and nature, was in a position of honour before the people and they respected him.

Called the Apostles: Individuals sent on assignment by God. The text reveals an anointing and recognition of this call.

They beat them: An act of intimidation.

Upon the name: The name of Yeshua is foundational.

Verse 41: “Therefore, these went away rejoicing from before the face of the Sanhedrin because, on behalf of His name, they were counted worthy to suffer shame. “

Rejoicing: Natural joy that comes from obedience. It testifies of people who have overcome the fear of this world and are focussed upon the call of God on their lives.

Before the face of the Sanhedrin: The Sanhedrin saw their joy. They did not see that these men were intimidated by the pomp or authority of the Sanhedrin.

On behalf of His name: Name (of Yeshua) is repeated, therefore showing emphasis. Name is synonymous with character. The Apostles were not just speaking the name of Yeshua, but they were demonstrating, before the Sanhedrin, the character of Messiah.

Suffer shame (disgrace): Most people when they are shamed, or disgraced, do not rejoice or see it as a badge of honour. Messiah was rejected and disgraced before the people and these Apostles, knowing that they are behaving like Messiah, rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame like He did.

Verse 42: “Every day in the temple, and from house to house, they did not cease to teach and evangelize Yeshua the Messiah.”

Every day: There was a consistency about their behaviour.

In the temple: They did not hide and do this behind the Sanhedrin’s back.

Teach and evangelize: It is very difficult to be an effective evangelist if teaching does not come first. If the Word of God is not being taught properly there will not be much anointing for evangelism. All teaching and evangelism was focused on Yeshua, our Messiah.