PAUL AT THE FEET OF GAMALIEL (ACTS 22:3): A FRESH LOOK AT THE EVIDENCE

Abstract

The Acts of the Apostles presents a double picture of St Paul. At the beginning, he was a persecutor of Christians. At the end, he was a staunch advocate of Christianity. At the beginning, he manifested a strict view concerning adherence to Judaism. At the end, his mission centred on incorporation of gentiles into the Christian fold. This double picture presents Paul as a theologian at cross-roads. His defence before the Jews in Jerusalem made him pitch camp with the revered Gamaliel of the House of Hillel. He confessed his tutelage at the feet of Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), a confession which set the tone for a retelling of his involvement in the persecution of the early believers in Jesus. Paul’s persecution of the early Jesus’ movement seems to contradict the lenient view of Gamaliel with regard to the believers in Jesus (Acts 5:34–39). However, Paul’s active involvement in the gentile mission could be a vestige of the openness of Bet Hillel towards the gentiles. Hence there is a need for a fresh look at Acts 22:3. This paper contends that the balance of argument shows that it is difficult to defend a Pauline learning under Gamaliel.

Keywords: Gamaliel, Gentile Mission, Hillel, Paul, Persecution, Rabbinic Judaism, Shammai