Theudas

From 4 Enoch: : The Online Encyclopedia of Second Temple Judaism, and Christian and Islamic Origins
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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 Scholarship

Theudas in Fiction

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