Gamaliel was a distinguished Pharisee of Jerusalem, a member of the Sanhedrin in the time of Paul (Acts 5:34; 22:3). Simon ben Gamaliel, Josephus tells us, was a Pharisee “of an illustrious family” and one of the leaders of the revolutionary coalition in Jerusalem in 66–67 CE. Rabban Gamaliel was the leader of the first generation of rabbinic sages after the destruction of the temple in 70 CE and the founder of the patriarchal house.11 Rabbi Judah the Patriarch was his grandson. From leader of Pharisees to patriarch of rabbis—the continued prominence of the house of Gamaliel provides strong
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