* On the exact date of Gallio's proconsulship see art. Dates, III. 3-
440
GAMALIEL
GAMALIEL
case as referring only to interpretations of Jewisli law, not to anj'^ civil wrong or any moral outrage of which Roman law took cognizance.
Two efi'ects of this decision are noted, (a) It was a snub which gave the Greek bystanders grounds for venting their animus against the Jews, by seizing and beating Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue. This seems the true interpretation of a scene which has been supposed to describe Jews beating a Christian — or even their own leader — in revenge for their defeat. But such a savage and illegal protest against Gallio's decision could not have passed unnoticed by him ; on the other hand, a public demonstration against the unpopular and disputatious Jews whom he had just dismissed might appear to him a rough sort of justice which he could atibrd to overlook, especially as it put the seal of popular approval on his action (see Sosthenes).
[b) The decision seems to have influenced St. Paul in another direction. Gallio being governor of Acbaia, his judgment would become a precedent and would have far-reaching influence. It gave St. Paul a new idea of the protection he could gain from the Roman law. Although Judaism was a religio licita, evidently the Imperial Government did not consider Christian preaching illegal. This amounted to a declaration of freedom in religion of immense value to Christians. From this point of view Gallio's treatment of the Jewish complaint was a landmark in St. Paul's missionary labour, and did a great deal to confirm his confidence in Roman protection for his preaching.
Gallio's private character is eulogized by Seneca in glowing terms. He was very lovable and fasci- nating; amiable, virtuous, just, and witty. The casual glimpse we get of him in Ac IS'-^"^'' shows him in a favourable light as governor. The clause 'Gallio cared for none of these things' does not bear in the least the interpretation put upon it by proverbial Christian philosophy. No doubt he had more than a touch of the Roman aristocrat's con- tempt for religious quarrels and for all Jews. But he appears as an astute judge, seeing quickly into the heart of things, firm in his decisions, and not too pompous or punctilious to turn a blind eye to a bit of rough popular horseplay. He seems to have shared the fortunes of bis more famous brother, and was put to death by Nero.
Literature. — EDB, art. ' Gallio,' t6. art. 'Corinth,' i. 481; W. M. Ramsay, St. Paul the Traveller, 1895, pp. 257-261, The Church in the Roman Empire, 1S93, pp. 250, 346-349; R. J. Knowling-, EGT, 'Acts,' 1900, ad loo. ; F. W. Farrar, Seekers
after God, ed. 1S79, pp. 16-21.
J. E. Roberts.
GAMALIEL ('?K''?;?3, TaixaXi-ffk, 'reward of God'). — 1. Son of Simon and grandson of Hillel, a ' pharisee, a doctor of the law, had in honour of all the people,' and a member of the Sanhedrin, who intervened in the trial of St. Peter and the other apostles (Ac 5^^'^^). He is also represented by the Apostle Paul as his early teacher (Ac 22"). Gamaliel was a representative of a broader and more liberal school among the Pharisees, the school of Hillel as opposed to that of Shammai. He was interested in Greek literature and encouraged his students to study it. His teaching tended towards a broader and more spiritual interpretation of the Mosaic Law, and encouraged the Jews to friendly intercourse with foreigners, allowing poor strangers equal rights along with Jews to the gleanings of the corn, while he exerted himself for the relief of wives from the abuses of the law of divorce and for the protection of widows from the greed of children (Gittin 32, 34). He was held in such es- teem that it is related in the Mishna (Sola ix. 15), 'with the death of Gamaliel the reverence for the law ceased and purity and abstinence died away.'
Gamaliel's attitude towai'ds the apostles has been variously estimated. His advice to let them alone is supported by the reason ' if this counsel or work be of men, it Avill come to naught : but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it, lest haply ye be found even to fight against God ' (Ac 5^^- ^'^). Some see in this the mark of a humane, tolerant, gener- ous, liberal-minded man (C. D. Ginsburgin Kitto's Bibl. Cycl., s.v. ' Gamaliel I. ') ; others regard it as the statement of a time-server without definite convictions, and incline to compare him unfavour- ably not only with the apostles, but with his col- leagues in the council, who were consistent and convinced traditionalists. Perhaps the view of Milligan (in HDB ii. 106) is the most satisfactory. He is of the opinion that Gamaliel's conduct is to be attributed rather to a ' prudential dread of violent measures than to a spirit of systematic tolerance.' The persecuting zeal of his pupil Saul of Tarsus does not seem to indicate that universal tolerance was part of the systematic teaching of Gamaliel, though a pupil may depart from the views he has been taught.
The influence which Gamaliel on this occasion exercised in the Sanhedrin has been explained by the acceptance of a Rabbinic tradition to the efi'ect that he was president of the Sanhedrin ; but not until after the destruction of Jerusalem, when the priesthood had lost its importance, do we find a Rabbi occupying this position (cf. A. Edersheim, History of the J eivish Nation, 1896, Appendix iii., p. 522 ff. ; also Schiirer, GJV* ii. 257, 431). The influence of Gamaliel is better accounted for by the predominating influence of the Pharisaic party, which was represented in the Sanhedrin (Ac 23'' ; Jos. BJ II. xvii. 3, Vita, 38, 39), and also by the personal influence of the man himself. The importance of this latter factor is borne out by unanimous Rabbinic tradition and is attested by the fact that Gamaliel was tlie first among the seven teachers who received the title Rabban — a higher form of Rabbi, which in the form Rabboni is applied to the risen Jesus by Mary Magdalene (Jn 20'^). Another incident bearing upon his com- manding position in the Sanhedrin is related in the Mishna {Edajoth vii. 7). The council had re- cognized the need for appointing a leap-year, but, as Gamaliel was absent, resolved that their decision should take efiect only if it received the subse- quent sanction of their leading man.