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; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
Original Language Analysis
πρὸ
before
G4253
πρὸ
before
Strong's:
G4253
Word #:
1 of 29
"fore", i.e., in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 29
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡμερῶν
days
G2250
ἡμερῶν
days
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
5 of 29
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
ἀνέστη
rose up
G450
ἀνέστη
rose up
Strong's:
G450
Word #:
6 of 29
to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
λέγων
boasting
G3004
λέγων
boasting
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
8 of 29
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ἑαυτόν
himself
G1438
ἑαυτόν
himself
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
11 of 29
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
ὃς
to whom
G3739
ὃς
to whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
12 of 29
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
προσεκολλήθη
joined themselves
G4347
προσεκολλήθη
joined themselves
Strong's:
G4347
Word #:
13 of 29
to glue to, i.e., (figuratively) to adhere
ὃς
to whom
G3739
ὃς
to whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
18 of 29
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἀνῃρέθη
was slain
G337
ἀνῃρέθη
was slain
Strong's:
G337
Word #:
19 of 29
to take up, i.e., adopt; by implication, to take away (violently), i.e., abolish, murder
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
20 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπείθοντο
obeyed
G3982
ἐπείθοντο
obeyed
Strong's:
G3982
Word #:
23 of 29
to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy, to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflexively or passively, to assent (to evidence
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
24 of 29
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
26 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐγένοντο
brought
G1096
ἐγένοντο
brought
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
27 of 29
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
Cross References
Acts 8:9But 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:2 Peter 2:2And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.Revelation 17:5And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.Acts 21:38Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?Galatians 2:6But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:Jude 1:16These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.
Historical Context
Theudas led a messianic revolt sometime before 6 AD, claiming prophetic authority. Josephus records a different Theudas around 44 AD, creating chronological questions. Many messianic pretenders arose in first-century Judea, exploiting Roman occupation resentment. Most ended in violence and followers' dispersion.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the collapse of false religious movements throughout history testify to the divine origin of Christianity's endurance?
- What dangers exist in Gamaliel's 'wait and see' approach to religious truth rather than active investigation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Gamaliel cites historical precedent—Theudas's failed rebellion. His argument follows a pattern: false movements collapse without divine support. While Gamaliel's theology is incomplete (suggesting a 'wait and see' approach), his providential reasoning contains truth: God-ordained movements cannot be stopped by human opposition. This principle undergirds Christian confidence in the church's eventual triumph despite persecution.