There are two versions of the narrative about Rabban Gamaliel being deposed. One of these is in the Babylonian Talmud (Berakhot 27b–28a); the other in the Jerusalem Talmud (Berakhot 4:1, 7c–b), with a parallel in the Jerusalem Talmud (Ta 'anit 4:1, 67d). First the two versions are given in translation and then compared.

The Babylonian Talmud version

Our Rabbis taught: The story is told of a certain disciple who came to ask R. Joshua whether the Evening Prayer is optional or obligatory. ‘It is optional,’ he replied. When the disciple asked Rabban Gamaliel the same question, he replied: ‘It is obligatory.’ ‘But,’ said he, ‘R. Joshua told me that it is optional.’ He [Rabban Gamaliel] said to him: ‘Wait till the shield-bearers enter the House of Study.’ When the shield-bearers had entered the House of Study, the questioner rose to his feet and asked: ‘Is the Evening Prayer optional or obligatory?’ ‘It is obligatory,’ said Rabban Gamaliel, who then asked of the Sages: ‘Does anyone dispute this ruling?’ ‘No,’ said R. Joshua. ‘But it was told to me in your name that it is optional?’ said he. R. Joshua replied: ‘If I were alive and he dead, the living could refute the dead. But since I am alive and he is alive, how can the living refute the living?’

So Rabban Gamaliel sat there expounding while R. Joshua remained on his feet till all the people began to murmur and they said to Hutzpit the turgeman: ‘Stop,’ and he stopped.