For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.

ACTS 5:36KJV
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Acts 5:36 (KJV)

What does Acts 5:36 mean?

Acts 5:36 describes how a man named Theudas once claimed to be important, gathered about four hundred followers, but was killed, and his movement quickly fell apart. The verse uses this example to show that false leaders and their causes can rise up and then disappear without lasting impact.

In this verse, Gamaliel, a respected Jewish teacher, is speaking to the Jewish council (Sanhedrin) about how to handle the apostles who are preaching about Jesus. Gamaliel reminds them of Theudas, whose rebellion ended in failure, to suggest that if something is not from God, it will not last. This sets up his argument for caution and patience in dealing with the apostles.

The Greek behind Acts 5:36

  • ἐγείρω (egeirō, "rose up"): This Greek word means to rise or appear, often used for someone starting a movement or making themselves known. Here, it emphasizes Theudas stepping forward as a leader.
  • λέγων εἶναί τινα ἑαυτόν (legōn einai tina heauton, "boasting himself to be somebody"): The phrase carries the sense of Theudas claiming to be someone significant or important, not just making empty boasts but presenting himself as a leader worth following.
  • προσεκλίθησαν (proseklēthēsan, "joined themselves"): This word means to attach oneself to or align with someone, showing that the followers actively chose to support Theudas.
  • διελύθησαν (diesan, "were scattered"): The Greek here means to be dispersed or broken up, highlighting how quickly Theudas’s followers abandoned the cause after his death.

Why Acts 5:36 matters

  • Acts 5:36 helps clarify that not every movement or leader who gathers a following is truly significant or lasting, especially if their cause is not genuine.
  • This verse provides historical context for Gamaliel’s argument, showing the council that rash action against the apostles might be unnecessary if their movement is not truly from God.
  • The example of Theudas connects to the broader theme in Acts of discerning what is truly from God versus what is merely human ambition or rebellion.

Where else these words appear

“hundred” Greek G5071 · used in 4 verses

  • Acts 7:6 And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years.
  • Acts 13:20 And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.
  • Galatians 3:17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

“themselves” Greek G4347 · used in 4 verses

  • Matthew 19:5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
  • Mark 10:7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;
  • Ephesians 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

“number” Greek G706 · used in 15 verses

  • Luke 22:3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
  • Acts 11:21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
  • Revelation 9:16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.

“slain” Greek G337 · used in 22 verses

  • Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
  • Acts 9:23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:
  • Acts 22:20 And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.