But if it be of God, ye can not overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
We are not told what it was that the apostles preached to the people; no doubt it was according to the direction of the angel - the words of this life; but what passed between them and the council we have here an account of; for in their sufferings there appeared more of a divine power and energy than even in their preaching. Now here we have, I.
Commenting on Acts 5:26-42
And to him they agreed,.... They were convinced and persuaded by his reasonings, approved of his advice, and agreed to follow it: and when they had called the apostles; into the council again, having sent their servants for them, or ordered them to be brought in: and beaten them; or scourged and whipped them with forty stripes save one, whereby was fulfilled what Christ had...
Verse 39. But if it be of God. If God is the Author of this religion. From this it seems that Gamaliel supposed that it was at least possible that this religion was Divine. He evinced a far more candid mind than did the rest of the Jews; but still it does not appear that he was entirely convinced.