Acts 5:37 - After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the enrollment, and drew away some people after him. He also perished, and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad.
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What does "Acts 5:37" mean?
This verse from Acts 5:37 refers to a specific historical event in the 1st century CE. It is part of Gamaliel's speech before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council, concerning the apostles of Jesus. Understanding the verse requires knowing the historical context.
Here's a breakdown of the verse and its meaning:
"After this man...": This refers to Theudas, mentioned in the preceding verse (Acts 5:36). Gamaliel is listing examples of failed Messianic movements to argue that if the apostles' movement is not from God, it will also fail on its own.
"Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the enrollment...": This refers to a real historical figure named Judas of Galilee who led a revolt against the Roman census (enrollment or taxation) ordered by Quirinius, the governor of Syria, around 6 CE. This census was seen by many Jews as an insult to God and an imposition of foreign rule. Galilee was a hotbed of Jewish resistance to Roman rule.
"and drew away some people after him.": Judas of Galilee gathered a following of people who shared his opposition to Roman rule. He advocated for Jewish independence and likely held Messianic expectations or at least a desire for national liberation.
"He also perished...": Judas was eventually defeated and killed by the Romans. This is a crucial point in Gamaliel's argument – the leader was eliminated.
"and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad.": Judas's followers were dispersed after his death. The revolt was crushed, and his movement dissipated. This highlights the failure of Judas's movement. It fizzled out because it was based on a human cause and not divine truth.
In the context of Gamaliel's speech, the meaning and significance of this verse are:
A parallel: Gamaliel is drawing a parallel between past failed movements and the movement of the apostles. He is suggesting that if the apostles' movement is merely human, it will meet the same fate as that of Judas of Galilee – it will collapse and its followers will be scattered.
A warning against rash action: He is advocating for patience and non-intervention. He is arguing that the Sanhedrin should not persecute the apostles because if their movement is not from God, it will fail on its own. If it is from God, persecuting them would be fighting against God.
Historical precedent: Gamaliel uses the example of Judas to illustrate that movements that challenge the established order often rise and fall.
In essence, the verse is a historical example used as a rhetorical device. Gamaliel is suggesting that time will tell if the apostles' movement is legitimate or simply another short-lived rebellion.
Acts 5:37 - After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the enrollment, and drew away some people after him. He also perished, and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad.
What does "Acts 5:37" mean?
This verse from Acts 5:37 refers to a specific historical event in the 1st century CE. It is part of Gamaliel's speech before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council, concerning the apostles of Jesus. Understanding the verse requires knowing the historical context.
Here's a breakdown of the verse and its meaning:
"After this man...": This refers to Theudas, mentioned in the preceding verse (Acts 5:36). Gamaliel is listing examples of failed Messianic movements to argue that if the apostles' movement is not from God, it will also fail on its own.
"Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the enrollment...": This refers to a real historical figure named Judas of Galilee who led a revolt against the Roman census (enrollment or taxation) ordered by Quirinius, the governor of Syria, around 6 CE. This census was seen by many Jews as an insult to God and an imposition of foreign rule. Galilee was a hotbed of Jewish resistance to Roman rule.
"and drew away some people after him.": Judas of Galilee gathered a following of people who shared his opposition to Roman rule. He advocated for Jewish independence and likely held Messianic expectations or at least a desire for national liberation.
"He also perished...": Judas was eventually defeated and killed by the Romans. This is a crucial point in Gamaliel's argument – the leader was eliminated.
"and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad.": Judas's followers were dispersed after his death. The revolt was crushed, and his movement dissipated. This highlights the failure of Judas's movement. It fizzled out because it was based on a human cause and not divine truth.
In the context of Gamaliel's speech, the meaning and significance of this verse are:
A parallel: Gamaliel is drawing a parallel between past failed movements and the movement of the apostles. He is suggesting that if the apostles' movement is merely human, it will meet the same fate as that of Judas of Galilee – it will collapse and its followers will be scattered.
A warning against rash action: He is advocating for patience and non-intervention. He is arguing that the Sanhedrin should not persecute the apostles because if their movement is not from God, it will fail on its own. If it is from God, persecuting them would be fighting against God.
Historical precedent: Gamaliel uses the example of Judas to illustrate that movements that challenge the established order often rise and fall.
In essence, the verse is a historical example used as a rhetorical device. Gamaliel is suggesting that time will tell if the apostles' movement is legitimate or simply another short-lived rebellion.