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He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. <a href="/nlt/acts/5.htm">New Living Translation</a> Some time ago there was that fellow Theudas, who pretended to be someone great. About 400 others joined him, but he was killed, and all his followers went their various ways. The whole movement came to nothing. <a href="/esv/acts/5.htm">English Standard Version</a> For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. <a href="/bsb/acts/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/blb/acts/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For before these days, Theudas rose up, affirming himself to be somebody--to whom a number of men, about four hundred, were joined--who was put to death, and all, as many as were persuaded by him, were dispersed; and it came to nothing. <a href="/kjv/acts/5.htm">King James Bible</a> 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, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. <a href="/nkjv/acts/5.htm">New King James Version</a> For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. <a href="/nasb_/acts/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> For, some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. <a href="/nasb/acts/5.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. <a href="/nasb77/acts/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody; and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. And he was slain; and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. <a href="/lsb/acts/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. But he was killed, and all who were following him were dispersed and came to nothing. <a href="/amp/acts/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a> For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody [of importance], and a group of about four hundred men allied themselves with him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were scattered and came to nothing. <a href="/csb/acts/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, and all his followers were dispersed and came to nothing. <a href="/hcsb/acts/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Not long ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about 400 men rallied to him. He was killed, and all his partisans were dispersed and came to nothing. <a href="/asv/acts/5.htm">American Standard Version</a> For before these days rose up Theudas, giving 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 nought. <a href="/cev/acts/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Not long ago Theudas claimed to be someone important, and about 400 men joined him. But he was killed, and all his followers were scattered. That was the end of that. <a href="/erv/acts/5.htm">English Revised Version</a> For before these days rose up Theudas, giving 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 nought. <a href="/gwt/acts/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Some time ago Theudas appeared. He claimed that he was important, and about four hundred men joined him. He was killed, and all his followers were scattered. The whole movement was a failure. <a href="/gnt/acts/5.htm">Good News Translation</a> You remember that Theudas appeared some time ago, claiming to be somebody great, and about four hundred men joined him. But he was killed, all his followers were scattered, and his movement died out. <a href="/isv/acts/5.htm">International Standard Version</a> For in the recent past Theudas appeared, claiming that he was important, and about 400 men joined him. He was killed, and all his followers were dispersed and disappeared. <a href="/msb/acts/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/net/acts/5.htm">NET Bible</a> For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and nothing came of it. <a href="/nheb/acts/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> For before these days Todah 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. <a href="/wbt/acts/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to naught. <a href="/wey/acts/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Years ago Theudas appeared, professing to be a person of importance, and a body of men, some four hundred in number, joined him. He was killed, and all his followers were dispersed and annihilated. <a href="/web/acts/5.htm">World English Bible</a> For before these days Theudas rose up, making himself out to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves. He was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed and came to nothing. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/acts/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> for before these days Theudas rose up, saying that he was someone, to whom a number of men joined themselves, as it were four hundred, who was slain, and all, as many as were obeying him, were scattered, and came to nothing. <a href="/blb/acts/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For before these days, Theudas rose up, affirming himself to be somebody--to whom a number of men, about four hundred, were joined--who was put to death, and all, as many as were persuaded by him, were dispersed; and it came to nothing. <a href="/ylt/acts/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 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 was slain, and all, as many as were obeying him, were scattered, and came to nought. <a href="/slt/acts/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For before these days Theudas arose, saying himself to be somebody: which a number of men followed, about four hundred, who was slain; and all, as many as believed him, were destroyed, and were for nothing.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/acts/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> For before these days rose up Theodas, affirming himself to be somebody, to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all that believed him were scattered, and brought to nothing. <a href="/cpdv/acts/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> For before these days, Theudas stepped forward, asserting himself to be someone, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined with him. But he was killed, and all who believed in him were scattered, and they were reduced to nothing. <a href="/nabre/acts/5.htm">New American Bible</a> Some time ago, Theudas appeared, claiming to be someone important, and about four hundred men joined him, but he was killed, and all those who were loyal to him were disbanded and came to nothing. <a href="/nrsvce/acts/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him; but he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and disappeared.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/acts/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For before these days, rose up Theu’das, boasting himself to be a great man; and about four hundred men followed him: he was slain; and those who followed him were scattered and nothing came of them. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/5.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “Before this time Theuda arose and said that he was something great and about four hundred men went after him; he was killed and those who were going after him were scattered and they became as nothing.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/acts/5.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> For before these days Theudas arose, declaring himself to be some great one; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves; and he was slain; and all, as many as believed him, were scattered and brought to naught. <a href="/godbey/acts/5.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> For before these days Theudas arose, saying that he was somebody, to whom a number of men, about four hundred, adhered, who were slain, and all, so many as confided in him, were dispersed, and came to nothing. <a href="/haweis/acts/5.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> For before these days arose Theudas, saying that he himself was a singular personage: to whom a number of men, about four hundred, attached themselves: who was taken off; and as many as obeyed him, were dispersed, and came to nothing. <a href="/mace/acts/5.htm">Mace New Testament</a> for some time ago one Theudas started up, pretending to be something extraordinary, who was join'd indeed by about four hundred men: but he was no sooner put to death, than his followers all dispers'd, and were reduc'd to nothing. <a href="/wey/acts/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Years ago Theudas appeared, professing to be a person of importance, and a body of men, some four hundred in number, joined him. He was killed, and all his followers were dispersed and annihilated. <a href="/worrell/acts/5.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> for before these days arose Theudas, alleging that he himself was somebody, to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves; who was slain, and all, as many as obeyed him, were disbanded, and came to nothing. <a href="/worsley/acts/5.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> For some time ago one Theudas arose, pretending to be some extraordinary person, to whom was joined a number of men, about four hundred: who was slain, and all that followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. <a href="/parallel/acts/5-36.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=1541" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/acts/5.htm">Gamaliel's Advice</a> …35“Men of Israel,” he said, “consider carefully what you are about to do to these men. 36<a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason."></a> <a href="/greek/4253.htm" title="4253: pro (Prep) -- A primary preposition; fore, i.e. In front of, prior to.">Some time ago</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: toutōn (DPro-GFP) -- This; he, she, it. "></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GFP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2250.htm" title="2250: hēmerōn (N-GFP) -- A day, the period from sunrise to sunset. "></a> <a href="/greek/2333.htm" title="2333: Theudas (N-NMS) -- Theudas, a Jewish pretender of date about 4 B.C., otherwise unknown. Of uncertain origin; Theudas, an Israelite.">Theudas</a> <a href="/greek/450.htm" title="450: anestē (V-AIA-3S) -- To raise up, set up; I rise from among (the) dead; I arise, appear. From ana and histemi; to stand up.">rose up,</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">claiming</a> <a href="/greek/1438.htm" title="1438: heauton (RefPro-AM3S) -- Himself, herself, itself. "></a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: einai (V-PNA) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">to be</a> <a href="/greek/5100.htm" title="5100: tina (IPro-AMS) -- Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.">somebody,</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hō (RelPro-DMS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/5613.htm" title="5613: hōs (Adv) -- Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.">about</a> <a href="/greek/5071.htm" title="5071: tetrakosiōn (Adj-GMP) -- Four hundred. Plural from tessares and hekaton; four hundred.">four hundred</a> <a href="/greek/706.htm" title="706: arithmos (N-NMS) -- A number, total. From airo; a number."></a> <a href="/greek/435.htm" title="435: andrōn (N-GMP) -- A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man.">men</a> <a href="/greek/4346.htm" title="4346: proseklithē (V-AIP-3S) -- Partiality, an inclination towards. From a compound of pros and klino; a leaning towards, i.e. proclivity.">joined him.</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hos (RelPro-NMS) -- Who, which, what, that. ">He</a> <a href="/greek/337.htm" title="337: anērethē (V-AIP-3S) -- From ana and haireomai; to take up, i.e. Adopt; by implication, to take away, i.e. Abolish, murder.">was killed,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: pantes (Adj-NMP) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">all</a> <a href="/greek/3745.htm" title="3745: hosoi (RelPro-NMP) -- How much, how great, how many, as great as, as much. By reduplication from hos; as As.">his followers</a> <a href="/greek/3982.htm" title="3982: epeithonto (V-IIM/P-3P) -- A primary verb; to convince; by analogy, to pacify or conciliate; reflexively or passively, to assent, to rely."></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/1262.htm" title="1262: dielythēsan (V-AIP-3P) -- To break up, disperse, dissolve. From dia and luo; to dissolve utterly.">were dispersed,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/1096.htm" title="1096: egenonto (V-AIM-3P) -- A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.">it all came</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">to</a> <a href="/greek/3762.htm" title="3762: ouden (Adj-ANS) -- No one, none, nothing. ">nothing.</a> 37After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and drew away people after him. He too perished, and all his followers were scattered.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/acts/21-38.htm">Acts 21:38</a> “Aren’t you the Egyptian who incited a rebellion some time ago and led four thousand members of the Assassins into the wilderness?” <a href="/acts/8-9.htm">Acts 8:9-11</a> Prior to that time, a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people of Samaria. He claimed to be someone great, / and all the people, from the least to the greatest, heeded his words and said, “This man is the divine power called the Great Power.” / They paid close attention to him because he had astounded them for a long time with his sorcery. <a href="/acts/13-6.htm">Acts 13:6-8</a> They traveled through the whole island as far as Paphos, where they found a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, / an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, a man of intelligence, summoned Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. / But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. <a href="/acts/18-24.htm">Acts 18:24-26</a> Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, well versed in the Scriptures. / He had been instructed in the way of the Lord and was fervent in spirit. He spoke and taught accurately about Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. / And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. <a href="/acts/19-13.htm">Acts 19:13-16</a> Now there were some itinerant Jewish exorcists who tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those with evil spirits. They would say, “I command you by Jesus, whom Paul proclaims.” / Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. / But one day the evil spirit responded, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” ... <a href="/matthew/24-24.htm">Matthew 24:24</a> For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible. <a href="/mark/13-22.htm">Mark 13:22</a> For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible. <a href="/2_peter/2-1.htm">2 Peter 2:1-3</a> Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. / Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. / In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep. <a href="/1_john/4-1.htm">1 John 4:1</a> Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world. <a href="/2_corinthians/11-13.htm">2 Corinthians 11:13-15</a> For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. / And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions. <a href="/deuteronomy/13-1.htm">Deuteronomy 13:1-3</a> If a prophet or dreamer of dreams arises among you and proclaims a sign or wonder to you, / and if the sign or wonder he has spoken to you comes about, but he says, “Let us follow other gods (which you have not known) and let us worship them,” / you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. For the LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love Him with all your heart and with all your soul. <a href="/jeremiah/14-14.htm">Jeremiah 14:14</a> “The prophets are prophesying lies in My name,” replied the LORD. “I did not send them or appoint them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a false vision, a worthless divination, the futility and delusion of their own minds. <a href="/jeremiah/23-21.htm">Jeremiah 23:21</a> I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message; I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied. <a href="/ezekiel/13-6.htm">Ezekiel 13:6-9</a> They see false visions and speak lying divinations. They claim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ when the LORD did not send them; yet they wait for the fulfillment of their message. / Haven’t you seen a false vision and spoken a lying divination when you proclaim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ even though I have not spoken? / Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Because you have uttered vain words and seen false visions, I am against you, declares the Lord GOD. ... <a href="/zechariah/13-2.htm">Zechariah 13:2-4</a> And on that day, declares the LORD of Hosts, I will erase the names of the idols from the land, and they will no longer be remembered. I will also remove the prophets and the spirit of impurity from the land. / And if anyone still prophesies, his father and mother who bore him will say to him, ‘You shall not remain alive, because you have spoken falsely in the name of the LORD.’ When he prophesies, his father and mother who bore him will pierce him through. / And on that day every prophet who prophesies will be ashamed of his vision, and he will not put on a hairy cloak in order to deceive.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>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, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nothing.boasting.<a href="/acts/8-9.htm">Acts 8:9</a> But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:<a href="/matthew/24-24.htm">Matthew 24:24</a> For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.<a href="/2_thessalonians/2-3.htm">2 Thessalonians 2:3-7</a> Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; … to whom.<a href="/acts/21-38.htm">Acts 21:38</a> Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?<a href="/2_peter/2-2.htm">2 Peter 2:2</a> And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.obeyed.<a href="/matthew/24-26.htm">Matthew 24:26</a> Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/3-21.htm">Ago</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-9.htm">Annihilated</a> <a href="/acts/2-3.htm">Appeared</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-32.htm">Boasting</a> <a href="/acts/5-6.htm">Body</a> <a href="/john/16-32.htm">Dispersed</a> <a href="/luke/23-49.htm">Followers</a> <a href="/john/19-23.htm">Four</a> <a href="/acts/1-15.htm">Hundred</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-15.htm">Importance</a> <a href="/acts/5-14.htm">Joined</a> <a href="/acts/5-30.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/acts/2-13.htm">Making</a> <a href="/acts/4-11.htm">Naught</a> <a href="/acts/4-11.htm">Nought</a> <a href="/acts/5-29.htm">Obeyed</a> <a href="/luke/21-8.htm">Professing</a> <a href="/acts/5-34.htm">Rose</a> <a href="/john/16-32.htm">Scattered</a> <a href="/acts/5-30.htm">Slain</a> <a href="/luke/8-46.htm">Somebody</a> <a href="/acts/5-13.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/acts/5-34.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/10-30.htm">Ago</a> <a href="/esther/7-4.htm">Annihilated</a> <a href="/acts/5-37.htm">Appeared</a> <a href="/romans/1-22.htm">Boasting</a> <a href="/acts/6-2.htm">Body</a> <a href="/acts/5-37.htm">Dispersed</a> <a href="/acts/9-25.htm">Followers</a> <a href="/acts/7-6.htm">Four</a> <a href="/acts/7-6.htm">Hundred</a> <a href="/acts/20-24.htm">Importance</a> <a href="/acts/8-29.htm">Joined</a> <a href="/acts/5-37.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/acts/7-19.htm">Making</a> <a href="/acts/5-38.htm">Naught</a> <a href="/acts/5-38.htm">Nought</a> <a href="/acts/5-37.htm">Obeyed</a> <a href="/acts/24-9.htm">Professing</a> <a href="/acts/5-37.htm">Rose</a> <a href="/acts/5-37.htm">Scattered</a> <a href="/acts/7-42.htm">Slain</a> <a href="/acts/8-9.htm">Somebody</a> <a href="/acts/11-26.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/acts/5-37.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 5</div>1. <a href="/acts/5-1.htm">After that Ananias and Sapphira his wife, </a> 3. <a href="/acts/5-3.htm">at Peter's rebuke had fallen down dead;</a> 12. <a href="/acts/5-12.htm">and that the rest of the apostles had wrought many miracles;</a> 14. <a href="/acts/5-14.htm">to the increase of the faith;</a> 17. <a href="/acts/5-17.htm">the apostles are again imprisoned;</a> 19. <a href="/acts/5-19.htm">but delivered by an angel bidding them preach openly to all;</a> 21. <a href="/acts/5-21.htm">when, after their teaching accordingly in the temple,</a> 29. <a href="/acts/5-29.htm">and before the council,</a> 33. <a href="/acts/5-33.htm">they are in danger to be killed; </a> 34. <a href="/acts/5-34.htm">but through the advice of Gamaliel, they are kept alive, and are only beaten;</a> 41. <a href="/acts/5-41.htm">for which they glorify God, and cease no day from preaching.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/acts/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Some time ago Theudas rose up The mention of Theudas refers to a historical figure who led a revolt. This event is not detailed in other biblical texts but is noted by the Jewish historian Josephus, who describes a Theudas leading a failed uprising. The timing of this event is debated, but it serves as a backdrop to illustrate the futility of movements not ordained by God.claiming to be somebody Theudas claimed a significant status, possibly as a messianic figure or a prophet. This reflects a common occurrence in first-century Judea, where various leaders arose, claiming divine authority or messianic roles, often leading to conflict with Roman authorities and Jewish leaders.and about four hundred men joined him The number of followers indicates a substantial, though not overwhelming, support. This reflects the socio-political unrest of the time, where many were eager for liberation from Roman rule and were willing to follow charismatic leaders promising change.He was killed Theudas's death signifies the typical end for many such leaders who opposed Roman authority. Execution or assassination was a common fate for those who led revolts, underscoring the perilous nature of such endeavors.all his followers were dispersed The dispersal of Theudas's followers highlights the lack of lasting impact of his movement. Without a central figure, the group quickly disbanded, illustrating the transient nature of human-led initiatives without divine backing.and it all came to nothing This phrase emphasizes the ultimate failure of Theudas's revolt. It serves as a cautionary example within the narrative of Acts, contrasting human efforts with the enduring and divinely supported mission of the apostles. This aligns with the broader biblical theme that only what is rooted in God's will endures, as seen in passages like <a href="/psalms/127.htm">Psalm 127:1</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/theudas.htm">Theudas</a> A self-proclaimed leader who gathered a following of about four hundred men. His movement ultimately failed after his death. 2. <a href="/topical/f/followers_of_theudas.htm">Followers of Theudas</a> Approximately four hundred individuals who joined Theudas in his cause, only to be scattered after his demise. 3. <a href="/topical/g/gamaliel.htm">Gamaliel</a> A respected Pharisee and teacher of the law who references Theudas in his counsel to the Sanhedrin, using Theudas' failed uprising as a cautionary example. 4. <a href="/topical/s/sanhedrin.htm">Sanhedrin</a> The Jewish ruling council before whom the apostles were brought, and where Gamaliel gave his advice. 5. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The city where these events took place, serving as the backdrop for the early church's growth and the apostles' ministry.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_human_ambition.htm">The Futility of Human Ambition</a> The account of Theudas serves as a reminder that human endeavors, when not aligned with God's will, ultimately fail. <a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_leadership.htm">Discernment in Leadership</a> Believers are encouraged to discern the authenticity of leaders and movements, ensuring they align with biblical truth. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a> The passage underscores the importance of recognizing God's control over history and the futility of opposing His plans. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_following_christ.htm">The Importance of Following Christ</a> Unlike Theudas, whose movement ended in failure, following Christ leads to eternal significance and purpose. <a href="/topical/h/historical_context_and_its_lessons.htm">Historical Context and Its Lessons</a> Understanding the historical context of biblical events can provide valuable lessons for contemporary faith and practice.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_acts_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Acts 5</a> <a href="/q/who_is_theudas_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Theudas mentioned in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/how_are_moses_and_jesus_similar.htm">What similarities exist between Moses and Jesus?</a> <a href="/q/is_gamaliel's_support_for_christians_noted.htm">Acts 5:34-39: Is there any external historical mention of Gamaliel backing the early Christians, or is this account potentially biased?</a> <a href="/q/evidence_of_mass_execution_in_ezekiel_9.htm">Are there any historical or archeological records supporting a mass execution in Jerusalem as described in Ezekiel 9?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/acts/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(36) Before these days rose up Theudas.--An insurrection, headed by a leader of this name, is mentioned by Josephus (Ant. xx. 5, ? 1). He, however, places it, not "before the taxing"--i.e., circ. A.D. 6--but in the reign of Claudius, and under the procuratorship of Cuspius Fadus, A.D. 44, ten or twelve years after this speech of Gamaliel's. The Theudas of whom he speaks claimed to be a prophet, and promised to lead his followers across the Jordan. Fadus sent a troop of horse against him, and he was taken and beheaded. It has accordingly been inferred by some critics that we have here a blunder so portentous as to prove that the speech was made up long years after its alleged date by a writer ignorant of history, that the whole narrative of this part of the Acts is accordingly untrustworthy, and that the book requires to be sifted throughout, with a suspicious caution. On the other side, it is urged (1) that the circumstances of the two cases are not the same, Josephus speaking of a "very great multitude" as following his Theudas, while Gamaliel distinctly fixes the number of adherents at "about four hundred"; (2) that the name Theudas, whether considered as a form of the Aramaic name Thadd?us (see Note on <a href="/matthew/10-3.htm" title="Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;">Matthew 10:3</a>), or the Greek Theodorus, was common enough to make it probable that there had been more than one rebel of that name; (3) that Josephus mentions no less than three insurrections of this type as occurring shortly after the death of Herod the Great (Ant. xvii. 10)--one headed by Judas (a name which appears from <a href="/matthew/10-3.htm" title="Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;">Matthew 10:3</a>, <a href="/luke/6-16.htm" title="And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.">Luke 6:16</a>, to have been interchangeable with Thaddaeus or Theudas), the head of a band of robbers who seized upon the fortress of Sepphoris; one by Simon, previously a slave of Herod's, who proclaimed himself king and burnt Herod's palaces at Jericho and elsewhere; one by Athronges and four brothers, each of whom ruled over a band, more or less numerous, of his own--and adds further, that besides these there were numerous pretenders to the name of king, who murdered and robbed at large, and that one of these may well have been identical with the Theudas of whom Gamaliel speaks; (4) that it is hardly conceivable that a writer of St. Luke's culture and general accuracy, writing in the reign of Nero, could have been guilty of such inaccuracy as that imputed to him, still less that such a mistake should have been made by any author writing after Josephus's history was in the hands of men. A writer in the reign of Henry VIII. would hardly have inverted the order of Wat Tyler and Jack Cade. The description given by Gamaliel, saying that he was some one--i.e., some great personage--agrees with the sufficiently vague account given by Josephus of the leaders of the revolts on the death of Herod, especially, perhaps, with that of Simon (who may have taken the name of Theudas as an alias to conceal his servile origin) of whom he says that "he thought himself more worthy than any other" of kingly power.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 36. - Giving himself out for boasting himself, A.V.; dispersed for scattered, A.V.; came for brought, A.V. Rose up Theudas. A very serious chronological difficulty arises hero. The only Theudas known to history is the one about whom Josephus writes ('Ant. Jud.,' 20:5), quoted in full by Eusebius ('Ecclesiastes Hist.,'2:11) as having pretended to be a prophet, having lured a number of people to follow him to the banks of the Jordan, by the assurance that he would part the waters of the river, and as having been pursued by order of Cuspius Fadus, the Procurator of Judaea, when numbers of his followers were slain and taken prisoners, and Theudas himself had his head cut off. But Fadus was procurator in the reign of Claudius Caesar, immediately after the death of King Agrippa, ten or twelve years after the time when Gamaliel was speaking, and about thirty years after the time at which Gamaliel places Theudas. Assuming St. Luke to be as accurate and correct here as he has been proved to be in other instances where his historical accuracy has been impugned, three ways present themselves of explaining the discrepancy. 1. Josephus may have misplaced the adventure of Theudas by some accidental error. Considering the vast number of Jewish insurrections from the death of Herod the Great to the destruction of Jerusalem, such a mistake is not very improbable. 2. There may have been two adventurers of the name of Theudas, one in the reign of Augustus Caesar, and the other in the reign of Claudius; and so both the historians may be right, and the apparent discrepancy may have no real existence (see Wordsworth, in loc.). 3. The person named Theudas by Gamaliel may be the same whom Josephus speaks of ('Bell. Jud.,' it. 4:2) by the common name of Simon, as gathering a band of robbers around him, and making himself king at Herod's death ('Sonntag,' cited by Meyer, etc.). But he was killed by Gratus, and the insurrection suppressed. A variety in this last mode has also been suggested (Kitto's 'Cyclopaedia'), viz. to understand Theudas to be an Aramaic form of Theodotus, and the equivalent Hebrew form of Theodotus to be מַתִתְיָה, Matthias, and so the person meant by Theudas to be a certain Matthias who with one Judas made an insurrection, when Herod the Great was dying, by tearing down the golden eagle which Herod had put over the great gate of the temple, and who was burnt alive with his companions, after defending his deed in a speech of great boldness and constancy ('Ant. Jud' 17:6). A consideration of these methods of explaining the apparent contradiction between the two historians shows that no certainty can without further light be arrived at. But it may be observed that it is quite impossible to suppose that any one so well informed and so accurate as St. Luke is could imagine that an event that he must have remembered perfectly, if it happened under the procuratorship of Fadus, had happened before the disturbances caused by Judas of Galilee, at least thirty years before. But it is most certain that Josephus's account of Theudas agrees better with Gamaliel's notice than that of either of the other persons suggested, irrespective of the identity of name. The first way of explaining the difficulty above proposed has, therefore, most probability in it. But some further corroboration of this explanation may be found in some of the details of Theudas's proceedings given by Josephus. He tells us that Theudes persuaded a great number of people to "collect all their possessions" and follow him to the banks of the Jordan, where he promised, like a second Elijah, to part the waters for them to pass over; that they did so, but that Fadus sent a troop of horse after them, who slew numbers of them, and amongst them their leader. Now, if this happened when the business of the census was beginning to be agitated, after the deposition of Archelaus (A.D. 6 or 7), all is plain. Theudas declaimed as a prophet against submitting to the census of their goods ordered by Augustus. The people were of the same mind. Theudas persuaded them that, if they brought all their goods to the banks of the Jordan, he would divide the stream and enable them to carry them over to the other side out of reach of the tax-gatherer. And so they made the attempt. But this was an act of rebellion against the Roman power, and a method of defeating the purpose of the census, which must be crushed at once. And so the people were pursued and slaughtered. But apart from the census of their goods, one sees no motive either for the attempt to carry away their property, or for the slaughter of an unarmed multitude by the Roman cavalry. So that the internal evidence is in favor of St. Luke's collocation of the incident, at the same time that his authority as a contemporary historian is much higher than that of Josephus. Still, one desiderates some more satisfactory proof of the error of Josephus, and some account of how he fell into it. <a href="/commentaries/acts/5-36.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Some time ago πρὸ (pro) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4253.htm">Strong's 4253: </a> A primary preposition; 'fore', i.e. In front of, prior to. Theudas Θευδᾶς (Theudas) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2333.htm">Strong's 2333: </a> Theudas, a Jewish pretender of date about 4 B.C., otherwise unknown. Of uncertain origin; Theudas, an Israelite. rose up, ἀνέστη (anestē) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_450.htm">Strong's 450: </a> To raise up, set up; I rise from among (the) dead; I arise, appear. From ana and histemi; to stand up. claiming λέγων (legōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. to be εἶναί (einai) Verb - Present Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. somebody, τινα (tina) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5100.htm">Strong's 5100: </a> Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object. [and] ᾧ (hō) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. about ὡς (hōs) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_5613.htm">Strong's 5613: </a> Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner. four hundred τετρακοσίων (tetrakosiōn) Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5071.htm">Strong's 5071: </a> Four hundred. Plural from tessares and hekaton; four hundred. men ἀνδρῶν (andrōn) Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_435.htm">Strong's 435: </a> A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man. joined [him]. προσεκλίθη (proseklithē) Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4346.htm">Strong's 4346: </a> Partiality, an inclination towards. From a compound of pros and klino; a leaning towards, i.e. proclivity. [He] ὃς (hos) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. was killed, ἀνῃρέθη (anērethē) Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_337.htm">Strong's 337: </a> From ana and haireomai; to take up, i.e. Adopt; by implication, to take away, i.e. Abolish, murder. all πάντες (pantes) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. his followers ὅσοι (hosoi) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3745.htm">Strong's 3745: </a> How much, how great, how many, as great as, as much. By reduplication from hos; as As. were dispersed, διελύθησαν (dielythēsan) Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1262.htm">Strong's 1262: </a> To break up, disperse, dissolve. From dia and luo; to dissolve utterly. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. it all came ἐγένοντο (egenonto) Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1096.htm">Strong's 1096: </a> A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude. to εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. nothing. οὐδέν (ouden) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3762.htm">Strong's 3762: </a> No one, none, nothing. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/5-36.htm">Acts 5:36 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/acts/5-36.htm">Acts 5:36 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/acts/5-36.htm">Acts 5:36 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/acts/5-36.htm">Acts 5:36 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/acts/5-36.htm">Acts 5:36 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/5-36.htm">Acts 5:36 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/5-36.htm">Acts 5:36 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/5-36.htm">Acts 5:36 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/acts/5-36.htm">Acts 5:36 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/acts/5-36.htm">Acts 5:36 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/acts/5-36.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 5:36 For before these days Theudas rose up (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/5-35.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 5:35"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 5:35" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/5-37.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 5:37"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 5:37" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>