5:38a

So: The Greek word here is usually translated as “and.” In 5:35b–37c Gamaliel gave two examples of what happened to groups with new ideas when their leader died. In 5:38b he gave his advice about the apostles as a group now that their leader (Jesus) has died. Consider what kind of connection is appropriate in your language. For example:

Therefore (New International Version)
-or-
And so (New Century Version)
-or-
So then

in the present case: This refers to the situation with the apostles. Here are some other ways to translate this:

in this case (Good News Translation)
-or-
about this situation

I advise you: The Greek is more literally “I say to you.” The words 5:38b are Gamaliel’s advice about what the Jewish leaders should do with the apostles. But the words of 5:38c–39b are his reasons for the advice he gave. For example:

I tell you (Revised Standard Version)

5:38b

Leave these men alone: The Greek is more literally “stay away from them.” Gamaliel told the leaders to avoid the apostles. Here are some other ways to translate this command:

keep away from these men (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Avoid these men

Let them go: Here Gamaliel told the Jewish leaders to allow the apostles to leave the meeting room of the Sanhedrin. Here is another way to translate that meaning:

Allow them to leave

The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Let…go can also mean “move away from.” For example, the Good News Translation and some other English versions say:

Leave them alone (Good News Translation)

But this is close to the same meaning as “Leave these men alone,” as in the previous command. So Let them go is probably the right meaning here.

5:38c

For: This word introduces the reason why the Jewish leaders should leave the apostles alone and let them go (5:38b).

if their purpose or endeavor is of human origin: The Greek is more literally “if this purpose/plan or this work is from men/people.” Gamaliel spoke here of one possible situation in his opinion. He did not know if the purpose or activity of the apostles was of human origin.

purpose: This word refers to what someone intends to do. For example:

plan (Revised Standard Version)

endeavor: This word refers to what someone does. For example:

doing these things (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
activity (New International Version)

of human origin: The Greek is more literally “from men/people.” It indicates that people (not God, 5:39) thought or planned these things that the apostles were doing. Here are some other ways to translate this:

originates with people (NET Bible)
-or-
from human authority (New Century Version)

This phrase is in the front of the Greek clause to emphasize it. If possible, emphasize this phrase.

it will fail: The Greek is more literally “it will be overthrown.” The basic meaning is to throw something to the ground to ruin it. Here it indicates that someone or some people will make this plan result in nothing and he or they will make the apostles stop doing these things. Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

it will be overthrown (New American Standard Bible)
-or-

⌊someone⌋ will overthrow/destroy it

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