Theudas
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Topical Encyclopedia
Theudas is a figure mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Acts of the Apostles. His mention is brief but significant, as it provides historical context to the early Christian movement and the various messianic and revolutionary figures that emerged in Judea during the first century.

Biblical Reference:

The primary reference to Theudas is found in Acts 5:36. In this passage, Gamaliel, a respected Pharisee and teacher of the law, addresses the Sanhedrin concerning the apostles' activities. He advises caution in dealing with the followers of Jesus, citing historical examples of failed movements. Gamaliel states:

"For some time ago, Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men joined him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing." (Acts 5:36)

Historical Context:

The mention of Theudas by Gamaliel is part of a larger discourse aimed at persuading the Jewish council to refrain from persecuting the apostles. Gamaliel's argument is that if the Christian movement is of human origin, it will fail on its own, just as Theudas' did. However, if it is from God, they would not be able to stop it and would find themselves fighting against God.

Theudas is described as a self-proclaimed leader who attracted a following of about four hundred men. His movement ultimately failed, as he was killed and his followers were scattered. This account is consistent with the turbulent period in Judea, where various individuals claimed to be messianic figures or leaders of liberation movements against Roman rule.

Historical Debate:

There is some debate among scholars regarding the identity of Theudas, as the Jewish historian Josephus also mentions a Theudas in his writings. Josephus describes a Theudas who led a movement during the procuratorship of Cuspius Fadus, around AD 44-46, which is after the time of Gamaliel's speech. This has led to discussions about whether there were two individuals named Theudas or if there is a chronological discrepancy in the accounts.

Theological Significance:

The mention of Theudas serves as a cautionary tale within the narrative of Acts. It highlights the transient nature of movements not ordained by God and underscores the divine legitimacy of the Christian movement as perceived by the early church. Gamaliel's counsel reflects a recognition of God's sovereignty and the futility of opposing His will.

Conclusion:

Theudas, though a minor figure in the biblical text, provides insight into the socio-political climate of first-century Judea and the challenges faced by early Christians. His account is a reminder of the many who sought to lead and the ultimate triumph of God's purposes through the spread of the Gospel.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Theudas

flowing with water

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Theudas

(God-given), the name of an insurgent mentioned in Gamaliel's speech before the Jewish council, (Acts 6:35-39) at the time of the arraignment of the apostles. He appeared, according to Luke's account, at the head of about four hundred men. He was probably one of the insurrectionary chiefs or fanatics by whom the land was overrun in the last year of Herod's reign. Josephus speaks of a Theudas who played a similar part in the time of Claudius, about A.D. 44; but the Theudas mentioned by St. Luke must be a different person from the one spoken of by Josephus.

ATS Bible Dictionary
Theudas

An insurgent, Jew, mentioned by Gamaliel, A. D. 33, as of the preceding generation, Acts 5:36-37, and therefore not to be confounded with a Theudas of A. D. 44, mentioned by Josephus. The period following the death of Herod the Great was full of revolts. Theudas was also a common name, answering to the Hebrew Matthew, under which name Josephus speaks of an unsuccessful reformer who was burnt in the latter part of Herod's reign.

Easton's Bible Dictionary
Thanksgiving, referred to by Gamaliel in his speech before the council at Jerusalem (Acts 5:36). He headed an insurrection against the Roman authority. Beyond this nothing is known of him.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
THEUDAS

thu'-das (Theudas, a contraction of Theodorus, "the gift of God"): Theudas is referred to by Gamaliel in his speech before the Sanhedrin, when he advised them as to the position they should adopt in regard to the apostles (Acts 5:36). The failure of the rebellion of Theudas was quoted by Gamaliel on this occasion as typical of the natural end of such movements as were inspired "not of God, but of men." A rising under one Theudas is also described by Josephus (Ant., XX, v, 1), but this occurred at a later date (according to Josephus about 44 or 45 A.D.) than the speech of Gamaliel (before 37 A.D.). Of theories put forward in explanation of the apparent anachronism in Gameliels speech, the two most in favor are

(1) that as there were many insurrections during the period in question, the two writers refer to different Theudases;

(2) that the reference to Theudas in the narrative of Acts was inserted by a later reviser, whose historical knowledge was inaccurate (Weiss; compare also Knowling, The Expositor's Greek Testament, II, 157-59).

C. M. Kerr

Greek
2333. Theudas -- Theudas, an Israelite
... 2332, 2333. Theudas. 2334 . Theudas, an Israelite. Part of Speech: Noun,
Masculine Transliteration: Theudas Phonetic Spelling: (thyoo ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2333.htm - 6k
Library

Concerning Theudas and the Sons of Judas the Galilean; as Also ...
... CHAPTER 5. Concerning Theudas And The Sons Of Judas The Galilean; As Also
What Calamity Fell Upon The Jews On The Day Of The Passover. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 concerning theudas and.htm

The Impostor Theudas and his Followers.
... Book II. Chapter XI."The Impostor Theudas and his Followers. 1. Luke, in
the Acts, introduces Gamaliel as saying, at the consultation ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xi the impostor theudas and.htm

Some Associated Questions
... A much more difficult case occurs in Acts 5:36-37, where Gamaliel in addressing
the Sanhedrin says: "Before these days rose up Theudas, giving himself out to ...
/.../ramsay/was christ born in bethlehem/chapter 12 some associated questions.htm

Book 17 Footnotes
... [16] Unless this Judas, the son of Ezekias, be the same with that Theudas, mentioned
Acts 5:36 ... The names Theudas, Thaddeus, and Judas differ but little. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 17 footnotes.htm

The Counsel of Gamaliel.
... For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody, to whom
a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain, and all ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture vii the counsel of.htm

Book 20 Footnotes
... [9] This Theudas, who arose under Fadus the procurator, about AD45 or 46, could
not be ... Who that earlier Theudas was, see the note on B. XVII. ch.10. sect.5. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 20 footnotes.htm

The Acts of the Apostles.
... These allusions are"with a single exception, that of Theudas"in full harmony with
the history of the age as known from Josephus and heathen writers, and ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 85 the acts of.htm

John ix. 34-36
... Here also He referreth to those who had been before, and to those who should be
after Him, Antichrist and the false Christs, Judas and Theudas, and whatever ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lix john ix 34-36.htm

Gamaliel's Counsel
... scarcely ventured to look at and dared not speak, that here might be the beginning
of a rising which had more promise in it than that abortive one under Theudas ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/gamaliels counsel.htm

Acts V
... And he said to them, Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you are about to
do respecting these men; (36) For before these days, Theudas arose, declaring ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts v.htm

Thesaurus
Theudas (1 Occurrence)
... He headed an insurrection against the Roman authority. Beyond this nothing
is known of him. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. THEUDAS. ...
/t/theudas.htm - 8k

Gamaliel (7 Occurrences)
... The authenticity of his speech has been questioned by Wendt and others, chiefly
on account of the alleged anachronism in regard to Theudas (see THEUDAS); but ...
/g/gamaliel.htm - 13k

False.
... The Theudas of Acts 5:36, "giving himself out to be somebody," may or may not be
the same as the Theudas of Josephus (Ant., XX, v, 1), but the latter, at least ...
/f/false..htm - 16k

Theu'das (1 Occurrence)
Theu'das. Theudas, Theu'das. They . Multi-Version Concordance Theu'das (1
Occurrence). ... (See RSV). Theudas, Theu'das. They . Reference Bible.
/t/theu'das.htm - 6k

Christs (2 Occurrences)
... The Theudas of Acts 5:36, "giving himself out to be somebody," may or may not be
the same as the Theudas of Josephus (Ant., XX, v, 1), but the latter, at least ...
/c/christs.htm - 14k

Thessaloni'ca (7 Occurrences)
Thessaloni'ca. Thessalonica, Thessaloni'ca. Theudas . Multi-Version Concordance ...
Thessalonica, Thessaloni'ca. Theudas . Reference Bible.
/t/thessaloni'ca.htm - 8k

Naught (40 Occurrences)
... Acts 5:36 For before these days rose Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to
whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain ...
/n/naught.htm - 19k

Nought (104 Occurrences)
... Acts 5:36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody;
to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain ...
/n/nought.htm - 38k

Obeying (24 Occurrences)
... Acts 5:36 for before these days rose up Theudas, saying, that himself was some one,
to whom a number of men did join themselves, as it were four hundred, who ...
/o/obeying.htm - 13k

Obeyed (83 Occurrences)
... Acts 5:36 For before these days Theudas rose up, making himself out to be somebody;
to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was ...
/o/obeyed.htm - 32k

Resources
Who was Theudas in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Valentinus? What was Valentinianism? | GotQuestions.org

New Testament Individuals ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

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Concordance
Theudas (1 Occurrence)

Acts 5:36
For before these days Theudas rose up, making himself out to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed, and came to nothing.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Subtopics

Theudas

Theudas: A Jewish Insurrectionist

Related Terms

Theudas (1 Occurrence)

They (76895 Occurrences)

Thessalonica: People of, Persecute Paul
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