Category:Theudas (subject)
Theudas (1st century CE) was a Jewish rebel, who led a short-lived revolt around 44-46 CE.
Overview
Theudas gathered a large crowd of followers and marched down to the Jordan River. He claimed "to be somebody" [i.e. the Messiah]. He expected that at his command the waters would part as a divine sign of his authority (see Joshua 3:14-17). The Roman governor Cuspius Fadus promptly intervened to suppress the messianic movement. The detachment of cavalry he sent killed or captured many of Theudas' followers. Theudas himself was beheaded and his head carried to Jerusalem as a military trophy.
In the Acts of Apostles, Gamaliel aligned Theudas with Judas the Galilean and Jesus of Nazareth, as leaders of suppressed messianic revolts.
Theudas in ancient sources
Josephus, Jewish Antiquities
Ant XX 97-98 -- "It came to pass, while Cuspius Fadus was procurator of Judea, that a certain charlatan, whose name was Theudas, persuaded a great part of the people to take their effects with them, and follow him to the Jordan river; for he told them he was a prophet, and that he would, by his own command, divide the river, and afford them an easy passage over it. Many were deluded by his words. However, Fadus did not permit them to make any advantage of his wild attempt, but sent a troop of horsemen out against them. After falling upon them unexpectedly, they slew many of them, and took many of them alive. They also took Theudas alive, cut off his head, and carried it to Jerusalem".
Acts of Apostles
Acts 5:36-37 -- "(Gamaliel said)... Some time ago, Theudas came forward, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. But he was killed and his whole following was broken up and disappeared".
Related categories
External links
This category currently contains no pages or media.