Theudas
“Contraction of Theodorus, meaning 'gift of God'”
Summary
Theudas was a Jewish insurgent mentioned by Gamaliel as an example of how movements not of God come to nothing of themselves.
☩Gamaliel's Reference
When the apostles were arraigned before the Sanhedrin, Gamaliel counseled moderation by citing historical examples of failed movements. He mentioned Theudas as a religious impostor who claimed to be someone of importance, attracted about four hundred followers, but was ultimately slain and his party annihilated. Gamaliel then noted that after Theudas came Judas of Galilee in the days of the census, who also perished with his followers.
☩Historical Questions
Josephus describes an insurgent named Theudas who led a similar uprising during the reign of Claudius (around AD 44-46), which would be after Gamaliel's speech rather than before. This chronological discrepancy has been variously explained: some argue there were two different insurgents named Theudas; others suggest Josephus misdated the event; still others note that Theudas was not an uncommon name and multiple revolts occurred in this turbulent period. The most probable solution is that Luke's Theudas was among the many unnamed revolutionaries who arose during the chaos following Herod the Great's death, a period Josephus describes as being overrun with insurrectionary chiefs.
Related Verses1 mention
Acts· 1 verse
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Theudas," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.George Morrish, "Theudas," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Theudas," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).