Acts 5:37
After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
Original Language Analysis
μετὰ
After
G3326
μετὰ
After
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
1 of 25
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
ἀνέστη
rose up
G450
ἀνέστη
rose up
Strong's:
G450
Word #:
3 of 25
to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
Ἰούδας
Judas
G2455
Ἰούδας
Judas
Strong's:
G2455
Word #:
4 of 25
judas (i.e., jehudah), the name of ten israelites; also of the posterity of one of them and its region
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ταῖς
G3588
ταῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἡμέραις
the days
G2250
ἡμέραις
the days
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
9 of 25
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
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀπογραφῆς
of the taxing
G582
ἀπογραφῆς
of the taxing
Strong's:
G582
Word #:
11 of 25
an enrollment; by implication, an assessment
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀπέστησεν
drew away
G868
ἀπέστησεν
drew away
Strong's:
G868
Word #:
13 of 25
to remove, i.e., (actively) instigate to revolt; usually (reflexively) to desist, desert, etc
λαὸν
people
G2992
λαὸν
people
Strong's:
G2992
Word #:
14 of 25
a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)
ἱκανὸν
much
G2425
ἱκανὸν
much
Strong's:
G2425
Word #:
15 of 25
competent (as if coming in season), i.e., ample (in amount) or fit (in character)
ὀπίσω
after
G3694
ὀπίσω
after
Strong's:
G3694
Word #:
16 of 25
to the back, i.e., aback (as adverb or preposition of time or place; or as noun)
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
17 of 25
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
ἀπώλετο
perished
G622
ἀπώλετο
perished
Strong's:
G622
Word #:
19 of 25
to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
20 of 25
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 25
to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy, to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflexively or passively, to assent (to evidence
Historical Context
Judas of Galilee led a tax revolt in 6 AD when Rome instituted direct taxation in Judea. This spawned the Zealot movement's violent resistance to Rome. His death and followers' scattering followed the pattern of failed messianic movements. The 'taxing' refers to the census under Quirinius mentioned in Luke 2:2.
Questions for Reflection
- How do failed historical religious and political movements demonstrate the unique divine authority behind Christianity?
- What does the pattern of scattered followers teach us about movements built on human charisma versus divine truth?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Judas of Galilee led another failed revolt, reinforcing Gamaliel's pattern of doomed human movements. The phrase 'perished' and 'scattered' emphasizes the futility of opposing God's purposes through mere human strength. Gamaliel's examples aim to calm the Sanhedrin's violent intentions, showing how God can use even incomplete theological reasoning to protect His people and advance His kingdom.