Acts 5:36

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

πρὸ

G4253

before

"fore", i.e., in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to

γὰρ

G1063

For

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

τούτων

G5130

these

of (from or concerning) these (persons or things)

τῶν

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἡμερῶν

G2250

days

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

G450

rose up

to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

Θευδᾶς

G2333

Theudas

theudas, an israelite

λέγων

G3004

boasting

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

εἶναί

G1511

to be

to exist

#10

τινα

G5100

somebody

some or any person or object

#11

ἑαυτόν

G1438

himself

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

#12

ὃς

G3739

to whom

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

#13

προσεκολλήθη

G4347

joined themselves

to glue to, i.e., (figuratively) to adhere

#14

ἀριθμὸς

G706

a number

a number (as reckoned up)

#15

ἀνδρῶν

G435

of men

a man (properly as an individual male)

#16

ὡσεὶ

G5616

about

as if

#17

τετρακοσίων·

G5071

four hundred

#18

ὃς

G3739

to whom

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

#19

ἀνῃρέθη

G337

was slain

to take up, i.e., adopt; by implication, to take away (violently), i.e., abolish, murder

#20

καὶ

G2532

and

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#21

πάντες

G3956

all

all, any, every, the whole

#22

ὅσοι

G3745

as many as

as (much, great, long, etc.) as

#23

ἐπείθοντο

G3982

obeyed

to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy, to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflexively or passively, to assent (to evidence

#24

αὐτῷ

G846

him

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

#25

διελύθησαν

G1262

were scattered

to dissolve utterly

#26

καὶ

G2532

and

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#27

ἐγένοντο

G1096

brought

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

#28

εἰς

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

#29

οὐδέν

G3762

nought

not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Acts Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does this verse's literary context within Acts chapter 5 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?

Related Resources

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People

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Paul