What is the meaning of Acts 5:37? After him Gamaliel has just mentioned Theudas (Acts 5:36), reminding the Sanhedrin that human movements rise and fall. By saying “After him,” Luke signals the next historical illustration in Gamaliel’s counsel. Scripture consistently shows God allowing false leaders for a time and then removing them, as in Judges 2:16-19 and Psalm 37:35-36. Judas the Galilean appeared This Judas, noted by the historian Josephus, came from Galilee and launched a revolt against Roman taxation. He is not to be confused with the apostle Judas (John 14:22) or Judas Iscariot (John 13:26). His emergence illustrates Jesus’ warning that “many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will mislead many” (Mark 13:6). Like the earlier Barabbas uprising (Mark 15:7), Judas’ appearance showcases the unrest Israel felt under Rome. in the days of the census The census refers to the registration ordered by Rome, also mentioned in Luke 2:1-3. Taxes and loyalty oaths stirred nationalistic anger, providing Judas a platform. God’s Word records this census both to anchor events in real time and to demonstrate how divine purposes unfold through political moments (Daniel 2:21). and drew away people after him Judas persuaded fellow Jews to refuse paying tribute, echoing Deuteronomy 13:5’s warning about leaders who “incite rebellion.” False teachers always attract followers (2 Timothy 4:3-4), but their influence is fleeting when God is not in it. Gamaliel’s point is clear: if the apostles are like Judas, their movement will collapse on its own. He too perished Just as Theudas was killed, Judas “perished.” Proverbs 11:7 says, “When the wicked man dies, his hope perishes.” God’s judgment fell, and the rebellion ended. The same pattern appears in Numbers 16 when Korah opposed Moses and was destroyed. and all his followers were scattered With their leader gone, the movement fragmented—exactly what Jesus said would happen to shepherdless sheep (Matthew 26:31). Acts 8:1 later contrasts this scattering: persecution disperses believers, yet the gospel spreads, proving God sustains what He initiates (Isaiah 55:11). summary Acts 5:37 records Gamaliel’s second historical example to persuade the Sanhedrin to leave the apostles alone. Judas the Galilean surfaced during a volatile census, led a tax revolt, perished, and his followers dispersed. History testifies that man-made movements collapse, but what God ordains endures. Therefore, if the apostles’ ministry is of God, opposing it would mean fighting against Him (Acts 5:38-39); if it is merely human, it will fail just as Judas’ revolt did. |
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