Lexical Summary Theudas: Theudas Original Word: Θευδᾶς Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Theudas. Of uncertain origin; Theudas, an Israelite -- Theudas. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain origin Definition Theudas, an Isr. NASB Translation Theudas (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2333: ΘευδᾶςΘευδᾶς (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 Appearance in ScriptureActs 5:36 records Gamaliel’s sober counsel to the Sanhedrin: “Some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. About four hundred men joined him; he was killed, all his followers were scattered, and it all came to nothing” (Berean Standard Bible). This single verse contains the only New Testament mention of Theudas, yet the episode serves a crucial role in Luke’s narrative of the early Church. Historical Setting Theudas emerges in Acts within the charged atmosphere of first-century Judea, where a succession of self-proclaimed deliverers promised liberation from Roman domination (Matthew 24:5; Acts 21:38). Gamaliel, a respected Pharisee and teacher of the Law, cites Theudas as a recent example of failed messianic pretension in order to caution the Sanhedrin against rashly opposing the apostles. By recalling Theudas, Gamaliel situates the apostolic movement among the many popular uprisings that surged and collapsed during this period. Theudas and Josephus Flavius Josephus, Antiquities 20.5.1, also records a Theudas who persuaded a crowd to follow him to the Jordan River, promising miraculous parting of its waters. Josephus dates that revolt to the procuratorship of Cuspius Fadus (A.D. 44–46). Critics sometimes allege a conflict between Luke and Josephus, since Gamaliel’s speech is set c. A.D. 30–33. Several conservative resolutions are plausible: 1. Two different men named Theudas may be in view, an earlier rebel referenced by Gamaliel and a later figure recorded by Josephus; the name was not uncommon. Political and Religious Significance Theudas typifies charismatic nationalistic leaders whose promises inflamed popular hopes but soon collapsed under Roman reprisals. His brief popularity illustrates how volatile and fragile such movements were. Gamaliel leverages that history to argue that if the apostles’ ministry lacks divine sanction it will “come to nothing,” whereas, if it is of God, human opposition will prove futile (Acts 5:38-39). Thus, Theudas becomes an instructive foil by which Luke highlights the permanence of the Spirit-empowered Church. Theological Implications 1. Divine Sovereignty in History The fall of Theudas underscores the biblical theme that God “frustrates the plans of the peoples” (Psalm 33:10) while establishing His own purposes. The apostles’ survival, contrasted with Theudas’s demise, points to God’s overruling hand in advancing the gospel. 2. Authenticity of Apostolic Witness Gamaliel’s test invites the Sanhedrin to discern true from false revelation. Subsequent events—miracles, conversions, and the Church’s enduring expansion—demonstrate that the apostolic message is not a transient human scheme but the outworking of God’s redemptive plan (Acts 6:7; 12:24). 3. Warning against False Christs Jesus foretold the appearance of deceptive leaders (Matthew 24:24). Theudas serves as an early fulfillment and a perpetual caution to weigh every claim against the full counsel of Scripture (1 John 4:1). Lessons for Ministry Today • Movements founded on personal ambition inevitably collapse; ministries rooted in Christ bear lasting fruit (John 15:5). Summary The singular mention of Theudas in Acts provides more than a historical footnote; it reinforces Luke’s portrayal of the unstoppable advance of the gospel, contrasts humanly engineered revolts with Spirit-empowered mission, and remains a living reminder that “unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain” (Psalm 127:1). Forms and Transliterations Θευδας Θευδᾶς Theudas TheudâsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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