Acts 5:36

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} before {G4253} these {G5130} days {G2250} rose up {G450} Theudas {G2333}, boasting {G3004} himself {G1438} to be {G1511} somebody {G5100}; to whom {G3739} a number {G706} of men {G435}, about {G5616} four hundred {G5071}, joined themselves {G4347}: who {G3739} was slain {G337}; and {G2532} all {G3956}, as many as {G3745} obeyed {G3982} him {G846}, were scattered {G1262}, and {G2532} brought {G1096} to {G1519} nought {G3762}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Some time ago, there was a rebellion under Todah, who claimed to be somebody special; and a number of men, maybe four hundred, rallied behind him. But upon his being put to death, his whole following was broken up and came to nothing.

Berean Standard Bible

Some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men joined him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.

American Standard Version

For before these days rose up Theudas, giving himself out 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 dispersed, and came to nought.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 5:36 records Gamaliel's historical example of Theudas, a self-proclaimed leader who gathered a following of approximately four hundred men. The verse details Theudas's violent demise and the subsequent scattering and complete dissolution of his adherents, serving as a cautionary illustration within Gamaliel's counsel to the Sanhedrin regarding the apostles. It underscores the ultimate futility and collapse of movements that are merely human in origin and lack divine endorsement.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a pivotal speech delivered by Gamaliel, a highly respected Pharisee and teacher of the Law, to the Sanhedrin. The apostles had been rearrested for their persistent preaching of Jesus Christ, despite previous prohibitions. The council, enraged and intent on executing them ([Acts 5:33](/acts/5-33 "Acts 5:33 - Sanhedrin's Fury")), is interrupted by Gamaliel's measured intervention. He advises against hasty action, proposing a wait-and-see approach. Acts 5:36 introduces his first historical precedent, followed by the example of Judas of Galilee in [Acts 5:37](/acts/5-37 "Acts 5:37 - Judas of Galilee"), both serving to illustrate his core argument that if a movement is of human origin, it will inevitably fail, but if it is from God, it cannot be overthrown ([Acts 5:38-39](/acts/5-38-39 "Acts 5:38-39 - Gamaliel's Wisdom")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period immediately preceding and during the early Roman occupation of Judea was marked by a series of messianic pretenders and revolutionary figures who emerged, claiming to be "somebody" – often implying a deliverer or king. Theudas, though the exact timing of his movement is debated among historians (Josephus mentions a Theudas around A.D. 44, which would be after Gamaliel's speech, suggesting either a different Theudas or a slight anachronism by Luke), represents a common phenomenon of the era. These figures often capitalized on the widespread Jewish longing for liberation from Roman rule and the expectation of a Messiah. Their movements typically ended in suppression by Roman authorities, leading to the death of the leader and the dispersal of their followers, a pattern familiar to Gamaliel and his audience. The Sanhedrin, being the supreme Jewish judicial and administrative body, was acutely aware of such uprisings and their potential to provoke Roman wrath.
* **Key Themes:** Acts 5:36 powerfully contributes to several key themes within the book of Acts and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **futility of human-led movements**, demonstrating that endeavors founded on human ambition or false claims, no matter how charismatic the leader or numerous the following, are destined to collapse when not aligned with divine purpose. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **divine sovereignty and providential control**, as God ultimately determines the success or failure of any work. Gamaliel's argument, exemplified by Theudas, suggests that God's plan will prevail, and human opposition to it is futile. This sets the stage for the enduring power of the early church, which, unlike Theudas's movement, was genuinely "of God" and therefore could not be "brought to nought" ([Acts 5:39](/acts/5-39 "Acts 5:39 - God's Unstoppable Plan")). Finally, the verse implicitly promotes **discernment and patience** in evaluating new religious or political movements, advocating for observation over immediate persecution, as time reveals their true source.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **boasting (Greek, _légō'_):** From G3004, meaning "to lay forth" or "relate," but here specifically "to boast" or "give out" a claim about oneself. This highlights Theudas's self-aggrandizing claims, not merely stating facts, but declaring himself to be someone of significant importance or authority, likely implying a messianic or prophetic role. His authority was self-derived, not divinely appointed.
* **scattered (Greek, _dialýō'_):** From G1262, meaning "to dissolve utterly." This term vividly portrays the complete disintegration of Theudas's following. It emphasizes the chaotic and definitive end of his movement, as his adherents dispersed without cohesion, purpose, or a continuing leader, signifying a total loss of unity and direction.
* **brought to nought (Greek, _gínomai_ and _oudeís'_):** This phrase combines G1096 (_gínomai_, "to become, to come into being") with G3762 (_oudeís_, "not even one, none, nothing"). Together, they signify that the movement utterly ceased to exist or effectively became "nothing." This underscores the complete failure, dissolution, and ultimate insignificance of Theudas's human-initiated endeavor, serving as a stark example of efforts that lack divine backing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For before these days rose up Theudas":** Gamaliel begins by establishing a historical precedent, introducing Theudas as a figure who emerged prior to the current events involving the apostles, setting the stage for a comparative analysis.
* **"boasting himself to be somebody":** This clause reveals Theudas's character and the basis of his appeal. He was a self-proclaimed leader, asserting a significant, perhaps messianic or prophetic, identity and authority that was not divinely ordained but originated from his own ambition.
* **"to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves":** This indicates the initial success and size of Theudas's following. He managed to attract a considerable number of adherents, demonstrating his charisma and the persuasive power of his claims over a significant group of people.
* **"who was slain":** This marks the abrupt and violent end of Theudas's leadership. His death, likely at the hands of Roman authorities, signifies the immediate collapse of his personal authority and the removal of the central figure around whom the movement revolved.
* **"and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered":** This describes the immediate and direct consequence of Theudas's death. His followers, having lost their leader and the unifying force of his claims, were completely dispersed, losing their cohesion and direction, indicating the fragility of their allegiance.
* **"and brought to nought":** This concluding phrase summarizes the ultimate fate of Theudas's entire movement. It emphasizes its utter failure, complete dissolution, and ultimate insignificance, serving as a stark example of human endeavors that lack divine backing and are therefore destined for oblivion.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 5:36 functions powerfully as a **Cautionary Tale** within Gamaliel's speech. The narrative of Theudas serves as a vivid historical example, warning the Sanhedrin against acting hastily or opposing a movement that might be divinely ordained. By recounting Theudas's rise and fall, Gamaliel employs **Historical Parallel**, drawing a direct comparison between a past failed human endeavor and the potential for the apostles' movement to either succeed (if from God) or fail (if merely human). There is also an element of **Irony** in the contrast between Theudas "boasting himself to be somebody" and his ultimate fate of being "brought to nought." This juxtaposition highlights the emptiness of self-exaltation and human ambition when it stands against the will of God, underscoring the ephemeral nature of power not rooted in divine truth.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 5:36 offers profound theological insights, primarily emphasizing the distinction between human-initiated endeavors and those divinely ordained. The rapid rise and catastrophic fall of Theudas serve as a powerful testament to the principle that any movement, no matter how charismatic its leader or numerous its followers, will ultimately fail and come to nothing if it is not rooted in God's will and purpose. This historical example reinforces the sovereignty of God, demonstrating that His plans cannot be thwarted by human opposition or false claims. It implicitly calls for discernment, reminding believers that true spiritual movements bear the fruit of divine origin and endurance, while those born of human ambition are inherently fragile and destined for collapse. The failure of Theudas's movement sets the stage for Gamaliel's profound conclusion: if the apostles' work is "of God," it cannot be overthrown, but if it is "of men," it will inevitably "come to nought."

* [Acts 5:38-39](/acts/5-38-39 "Acts 5:38-39 - Gamaliel's Concluding Wisdom")
* [Proverbs 19:21](/proverbs/19-21 "Proverbs 19:21 - The Lord's Purpose Will Stand")
* [Matthew 15:13](/matthew/15-13 "Matthew 15:13 - Every Plant Not Planted by My Father")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 5:36 provides enduring wisdom for believers navigating a world filled with various claims to truth and authority. It encourages a posture of careful discernment, urging us not to be immediately swayed by charisma, popularity, or the sheer number of followers. Instead, we are called to patiently observe the fruits and trajectory of any teaching, leader, or movement, testing its claims against the enduring truth of God's Word. The ultimate test of any endeavor, whether personal or corporate, is whether it is truly "of God." This verse promotes patience, trusting that divine truth will ultimately prevail, and anything not established by Him will, in due time, be "brought to nought." It also offers immense reassurance: if we are engaged in God's work, we can be confident in its ultimate success, knowing that no human opposition can ultimately thwart His eternal purposes for His church and His kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the story of Theudas challenge our tendency to be impressed by outward appearances, charisma, or large followings in spiritual matters?**
* **In what ways can we apply Gamaliel's principle of "wait and see" to contemporary movements or teachings within the church or wider society?**
* **What are the practical implications of trusting in God's sovereignty for the ultimate success or failure of our own endeavors?**

### FAQ
**Who was Theudas, and why is he mentioned in Acts 5:36?**

Answer: Theudas was a historical figure, a self-proclaimed leader who emerged before Gamaliel's speech in [Acts 5](/acts/5 "Acts 5 - The Early Church Faces Opposition"), boasting himself to be someone significant. He managed to gather a following of about four hundred men. Gamaliel, a respected Pharisee and teacher of the Law, cites Theudas as an example to the Sanhedrin. His purpose was to illustrate that movements which are merely human in origin, even if initially successful, ultimately fail and are "brought to nought," in contrast to movements that are genuinely from God. This historical anecdote served as a cautionary tale against persecuting the apostles, suggesting that if their work was not from God, it would collapse on its own.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The account of Theudas in Acts 5:36, while a historical anecdote, serves as a powerful negative space against which the unique and enduring nature of Christ's kingdom is illuminated. Unlike Theudas, who "boasted himself to be somebody" and whose movement was "brought to nought" by his death, Jesus Christ did not boast of His own accord but was declared by God to be the Son and Messiah ([Matthew 3:17](/matthew/3-17 "Matthew 3:17 - God's Affirmation of Jesus")). His death on the cross, far from scattering His followers permanently or bringing His movement to nothing, was the ultimate act of redemption, leading to His glorious resurrection ([Romans 4:25](/romans/4-25 "Romans 4:25 - Jesus' Resurrection for Our Justification")). While Theudas's followers were scattered and dissolved, Jesus's disciples, though temporarily dispersed after His crucifixion, were re-gathered and empowered by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost ([Acts 2:1-4](/acts/2-1-4 "Acts 2:1-4 - The Day of Pentecost")), leading to the explosive growth of the church. Theudas's movement ended in utter failure; Christ's movement, founded on His eternal deity and resurrection power, continues to expand globally, demonstrating that His kingdom is not "of this world" in its origin or power ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")), but is divinely established and will never be "brought to nought" ([Daniel 7:14](/daniel/7-14 "Daniel 7:14 - The Everlasting Dominion of the Son of Man")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 8:9

But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

2 Peter 2:2

And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

Acts 21:38

Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?

Jude 1:16

These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling [words], having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.

2 Thessalonians 2:3

¶ Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

2 Thessalonians 2:7

For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth [will let], until he be taken out of the way.

Matthew 24:24

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect.