2333. Theudas

Lexicon

Theudas: Theudas

Original Word: Θευδᾶς
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: Theudas
Pronunciation: thyoo-das'
Phonetic Spelling: (thyoo-das')
Definition: Theudas
Meaning: Theudas, a Jewish pretender of date about 4 B.C., otherwise unknown.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Theudas.

Of uncertain origin; Theudas, an Israelite -- Theudas.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of uncertain origin
Definition
Theudas, an Isr.
NASB Translation
Theudas (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2333: Θευδᾶς

Θευδᾶς (probably contracted from θεοδωρος, Winers Grammar, 103 (97); especially Lightfoot on Colossians 4:15; on its inflection cf. Buttmann, 20 (18)), ὁ, Theudas, an impostor who instigated a rebellion which came to a wretched end in the time of Augustus: Acts 5:36. Josephus (Antiquities, 20, 5, 1) makes mention of one Theudas, a magician, who came into notice by pretending that he was a prophet and was destroyed when Cuspius Fadus governed Judaea in the time of Claudius. Accordingly, many interpreters hold that there were two insurgents by the name of Theudas; while others, with far greater probability, suppose that the mention of Theudas is ascribed to Gamaliel by an anachronism on the part of Luke. On the different opinions of others cf. Meyer on Acts, the passage cited; Winers RWB, under the word; Keim in Schenkel see 510f; (especially Hackett in B. D., under the word).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Of uncertain origin; possibly derived from a contraction of Θεόδωρος (Theodoros), meaning "gift of God."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There are no direct Hebrew equivalents for the Greek name Theudas in the Strong's Concordance, as it is a proper noun specific to the New Testament context. However, the concept of false prophets or leaders can be related to various Hebrew terms for falsehood or deception, such as שֶׁקֶר (sheqer, Strong's Hebrew 8267) or נָבִיא שֶׁקֶר (navi sheqer, "false prophet").

Usage: The name Theudas appears in the New Testament in the context of a speech by Gamaliel, a respected Pharisee and teacher of the law, during the early days of the Christian church.

Context: Theudas is mentioned in the Book of Acts, specifically in Acts 5:36. In this passage, Gamaliel addresses the Sanhedrin, advising caution in dealing with the apostles of Jesus. He references Theudas as an example of a failed leader who claimed to be someone significant. According to Gamaliel, Theudas rallied about four hundred men to his cause, but he was killed, and his followers were dispersed, resulting in the movement coming to nothing.

The historical context of Theudas is somewhat debated, as there are limited external historical records about him. Some scholars suggest that the Theudas mentioned by Gamaliel may have been a messianic figure or a revolutionary leader who lived before the time of Jesus. Others propose that there might be a chronological discrepancy, as a Theudas is also mentioned by the Jewish historian Josephus, but in a different time frame.

The mention of Theudas serves as a cautionary tale in Gamaliel's argument, emphasizing that movements not ordained by God will ultimately fail. This narrative underscores the early Christian belief in divine providence and the legitimacy of the apostolic mission.

Forms and Transliterations

Θευδας Θευδᾶς Theudas Theudâs

Englishman's Concordance

Acts 5:36 N-NMS
GRK: ἡμερῶν ἀνέστη Θευδᾶς λέγων εἶναί
NAS: time ago Theudas rose up, claiming
KJV: days rose up Theudas, boasting himself
INT: days rose up Theudas affirming to be

Strong's Greek 2333
1 Occurrence

Θευδᾶς — 1 Occ.