Acts 5:39

But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

Cross-references

Acts 23:9 Allusion

Acts 23:9 echoes Gamaliel's warning — Pharisees say 'Let us not fight against God' in another trial context.

Acts 9:5 Allusion

Acts 9:5 uses 'kick against the goads' — a vivid image of futile resistance to God, exactly the warning Gamaliel gives.

Acts 7:51 Parallel

Acts 7:51 has Stephen accusing the council of resisting the Holy Spirit — the same 'fighting against God' Gamaliel warns about.

Acts 6:10 Parallel

Acts 6:10 shows Stephen's opponents unable to resist his wisdom — a direct fulfillment of the principle that God's work cannot be overthrown.

Acts 4:17 Historical context

Acts 4:17 shows the Sanhedrin's earlier attempt to suppress the apostles, the very opposition Gamaliel warns may be fighting God.

Isaiah 43:13 declares that none can deliver from God's hand or turn back His work, directly mirroring Gamaliel's warning against opposing God.

Revelation 17:12-14 shows the Lamb overcoming kings who war against Him — the ultimate defeat of those who fight God.

1 Corinthians 10:22 asks 'Are we stronger than he?' — reinforcing Gamaliel's point that fighting God is futile.

1 Corinthians 1:25 Related theme

1 Corinthians 1:25 states that God's foolishness is wiser and His weakness stronger than men, underscoring human inability to overcome God.

Luke 21:15 Parallel

Luke 21:15 promises that adversaries cannot withstand the wisdom Jesus gives, reinforcing that God's protection makes opposition futile.

Matthew 16:18 promises that the gates of hell will not prevail against Christ's church, showing that God's work is indestructible.

Daniel 4:35 Parallel

Daniel 4:35 asserts that none can stay God's hand or question His actions, a direct parallel to the idea that opposing God is impossible.

Isaiah 46:10 affirms that God's counsel stands and He accomplishes all His purpose, echoing the certainty that God's plan cannot be overthrown.

Isaiah 45:9 Parallel

Isaiah 45:9 warns against striving with one's Maker — the same futility Gamaliel notes in fighting God's purposes.

In Genesis 24:50, Laban and Bethuel declare the matter is from the LORD and they cannot oppose it, directly echoing the idea that human efforts cannot thwart God's work.

Job 40:9–14 Related theme

Job 40:9-14 challenges human strength against God — echoing Gamaliel's point that fighting God is impossible.

Job 15:25-27 describes the wicked who defies God — directly parallels the futile 'fighting against God' Gamaliel warns.

2 Kings 19:22 rebukes Sennacherib for mocking the Holy One — a direct instance of 'fighting against God'.

In 1 Kings 12:24, God tells Rehoboam not to fight because this thing is from Me — the same logic that opposing a divine work is futile.

Exodus 10:3-7 shows Pharaoh resisting God's command — a classic example of fighting against God, leading to plagues.

Isaiah 8:10 Parallel

Isaiah 8:10 states that counsel against God's people will come to nothing, directly paralleling the futility of opposing God.

Ecclesiastes 3:14 affirms that God's work endures forever, reinforcing that no one can stop what God has done.

Isaiah 46:11 declares that God's purpose will be accomplished, underscoring that if the apostles' work is from God, it cannot be stopped.

Proverbs 21:30 declares that no plan can succeed against the Lord, directly supporting Gamaliel's argument that fighting God is futile.

Ezra 6:12 Parallel

Ezra 6:12 invokes God's judgment on anyone who tries to destroy His house — a direct echo that fighting against God's work brings consequences.

2 Chronicles 13:12 explicitly warns 'do not fight against the Lord' — directly paralleling Gamaliel's argument that opposing God's mission is futile.

1 Samuel 23:17 has Jonathan affirming that God's plan for David cannot be thwarted, reinforcing Gamaliel's warning against fighting God.

In Genesis 31:29, Laban is restrained by God from harming Jacob, illustrating that opposing God's people means opposing God Himself.

Jeremiah 36:29 describes Jehoiakim opposing God's word, illustrating the futility of fighting against God as Gamaliel warns.

Proverbs 22:12 says God frustrates the words of the unfaithful, echoing the futility of opposing God's work.

Ezra 6:7 Parallel

Ezra 6:7 commands not to interfere with God's rebuilding work, reflecting the principle that opposing God's purposes is fighting against Him.