Acts 5:37

"For before these days Theudas rose up, making himself out to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves. He was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed and came to nothing."

Key Reflection

In Acts 5:37, Theudas' temporary following symbolizes false messianic pretensions that may gain a small but transient audience, ultimately leading to disappointment and dissolution. This event serves as a cautionary example for the early Christian community against similar deceits.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 37. Judas of Galilee. Josephus has given an account of this man, (Antiq. b. xvii. chap. x. § 5,) and calls him a Galilean. He afterwards calls him a Gualonite, and says he was of the city of Gamala, (Antiq. xviii, i. 1.) In this place, he says that the revolt took place under Cyrenius, a Roman senator, who came into "Syria to be judge of that nation, and to take account of their substance." "Moreover," says he, "Cyrenius came himself into Judea, which was now added to the province of Syria, to take an account of their substance, and to dispose of Archelaus's money."

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