Acts 5:37
New International Version
After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.

New Living Translation
After him, at the time of the census, there was Judas of Galilee. He got people to follow him, but he was killed, too, and all his followers were scattered.

English Standard Version
After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered.

Berean Standard Bible
After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and drew away people after him. He too perished, and all his followers were scattered.

Berean Literal Bible
After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the registration and drew away people after him. And he perished, and all, as many as were persuaded by him, were scattered.

King James Bible
After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

New King James Version
After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed.

New American Standard Bible
After this man, Judas of Galilee appeared in the days of the census and drew away some people after him; he also perished, and all those who followed him were scattered.

NASB 1995
“After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census and drew away some people after him; he too perished, and all those who followed him were scattered.

NASB 1977
“After this man Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away some people after him, he too perished, and all those who followed him were scattered.

Legacy Standard Bible
After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away people after him. He too perished, and all those who were following him were scattered.

Amplified Bible
After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up, [and led an uprising] during the time of the census, and drew people after him; he was also killed, and all his followers were scattered.

Christian Standard Bible
After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and attracted a following. He also perished, and all his followers were scattered.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and attracted a following. That man also perished, and all his partisans were scattered.

American Standard Version
After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the enrolment, and drew away some of the people after him: he also perished; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad.

Contemporary English Version
Later, when the people of our nation were being counted, Judas from Galilee showed up. A lot of people followed him, but he was killed, and all his followers were scattered.

English Revised Version
After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the enrollment, and drew away some of the people after him: he also perished; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"After that man, at the time of the census, Judas from Galilee appeared and led people in a revolt. He, too, died, and all his followers were scattered.

Good News Translation
After that, Judas the Galilean appeared during the time of the census; he drew a crowd after him, but he also was killed, and all his followers were scattered.

International Standard Version
After that man, at the time of the census, Judas the Galilean appeared and got people to follow him. He, too, died, and all his followers were scattered.

Majority Standard Bible
After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and drew away many people after him. He too perished, and all his followers were scattered.

NET Bible
After him Judas the Galilean arose in the days of the census, and incited people to follow him in revolt. He too was killed, and all who followed him were scattered.

New Heart English Bible
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.

Webster's Bible Translation
After this man rose Judas of Galilee, in the days of the taxing, and drew away many people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

Weymouth New Testament
After him, at the time of the Census, came Judas, the Galilaean, and was the leader in a revolt. He too perished, and all his followers were scattered.

World English Bible
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.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
After this one, Judas the Galilean rose up, in the days of the census, and drew away people after him, and that one perished, and all, as many as were obeying him, were scattered;

Berean Literal Bible
After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the registration and drew away people after him. And he perished, and all, as many as were persuaded by him, were scattered.

Young's Literal Translation
'After this one rose up, Judas the Galilean, in the days of the enrolment, and drew away much people after him, and that one perished, and all, as many as were obeying him, were scattered;

Smith's Literal Translation
After this Judas the Galilean arose in the days of enrolling, and misled enough people after him: and he perished; and all, as many as believed him, were scattered.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
After this man, rose up Judas of Galilee, in the days of the enrolling, and drew away the people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as consented to him, were dispersed.

Catholic Public Domain Version
After this one, Judas the Galilean stepped forward, in the days of the enrollment, and he turned the people toward himself. But he also perished, and all of them, as many as had joined with him, were dispersed.

New American Bible
After him came Judas the Galilean at the time of the census. He also drew people after him, but he too perished and all who were loyal to him were scattered.

New Revised Standard Version
After him Judas the Galilean rose up at the time of the census and got people to follow him; he also perished, and all who followed him were scattered.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
After him rose up Judas, the Gal-i-le’an, in the days when people were registering for the head tax, and he misled many people into following him. He died; and all of those who followed him were dispersed.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“And Yehudah the Galilean arose after him in the days when the people were registered for the head tax and he seduced many people after him and he died and all those who were following him were scattered.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
After this man, Judas the Galilean arose, in the days of the enrollment, and drew over many people after him; and he was destroyed, and all, as many as believed him, were scattered.

Godbey New Testament
After him Judas the Galilean arose, in the days of the enrollment, and led the people after him; he also perished, and all, so many as confided in him, were scattered abroad.

Haweis New Testament
And after him arose Judas the Galilean, in the days of the enrolment, and drew away a multitude of the populace after him: he also perished, and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

Mace New Testament
after this man, Judas of Galilee appear'd, at the time of the registry, and seduc'd many people: he also perished, and all his followers were dispersed.

Weymouth New Testament
After him, at the time of the Census, came Judas, the Galilaean, and was the leader in a revolt. He too perished, and all his followers were scattered.

Worrell New Testament
After this arose Judas, the Galilean, in the days of the enrollment, and drew away people after him; he also perished; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad.

Worsley New Testament
After him arose Judas the Galilean, at the time of the registring, and drew much people after him: but he also perished, and all that followed him were dispersed.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Gamaliel's Advice
36Some 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. 37After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and drew away people after him. He too perished, and all his followers were scattered. 38So in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone. Let them go! For if their purpose or endeavor is of human origin, it will fail.…

Cross References
Luke 2:1-2
Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire. / This was the first census to take place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.

Matthew 24:24
For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.

Mark 13:22
For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.

John 7:12
Many in the crowds were whispering about Him. Some said, “He is a good man.” But others replied, “No, He deceives the people.”

Acts 21:38
“Aren’t you the Egyptian who incited a rebellion some time ago and led four thousand members of the Assassins into the wilderness?”

Acts 13:6
They traveled through the whole island as far as Paphos, where they found a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus,

Acts 8:9-11
Prior to that time, a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people of Samaria. He claimed to be someone great, / and all the people, from the least to the greatest, heeded his words and said, “This man is the divine power called the Great Power.” / They paid close attention to him because he had astounded them for a long time with his sorcery.

Acts 21:38
“Aren’t you the Egyptian who incited a rebellion some time ago and led four thousand members of the Assassins into the wilderness?”

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
Let no one deceive you in any way, for it will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness—the son of destruction—is revealed. / He will oppose and exalt himself above every so-called god or object of worship. So he will seat himself in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

2 Peter 2:1
Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.

Deuteronomy 13:1-3
If a prophet or dreamer of dreams arises among you and proclaims a sign or wonder to you, / and if the sign or wonder he has spoken to you comes about, but he says, “Let us follow other gods (which you have not known) and let us worship them,” / you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. For the LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love Him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Jeremiah 14:14
“The prophets are prophesying lies in My name,” replied the LORD. “I did not send them or appoint them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a false vision, a worthless divination, the futility and delusion of their own minds.

Jeremiah 23:21
I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message; I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied.

Ezekiel 13:6-7
They see false visions and speak lying divinations. They claim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ when the LORD did not send them; yet they wait for the fulfillment of their message. / Haven’t you seen a false vision and spoken a lying divination when you proclaim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ even though I have not spoken?

Zechariah 13:2-3
And on that day, declares the LORD of Hosts, I will erase the names of the idols from the land, and they will no longer be remembered. I will also remove the prophets and the spirit of impurity from the land. / And if anyone still prophesies, his father and mother who bore him will say to him, ‘You shall not remain alive, because you have spoken falsely in the name of the LORD.’ When he prophesies, his father and mother who bore him will pierce him through.


Treasury of Scripture

After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

Judas.

Luke 2:1
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

Luke 13:1
There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

he also.

Job 20:5-9
That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment? …

Psalm 7:14,15
Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood…

Psalm 9:15,16
The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken…

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Abroad Appeared Band Census Dispersed Drew Enrollment Flight Followed Galilaean Galilean Galilee Judas Killed Leader Numbering Obeyed Perished Revolt Rose Scattered Supporters Taxing Time
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Abroad Appeared Band Census Dispersed Drew Enrollment Flight Followed Galilaean Galilean Galilee Judas Killed Leader Numbering Obeyed Perished Revolt Rose Scattered Supporters Taxing Time
Acts 5
1. After that Ananias and Sapphira his wife,
3. at Peter's rebuke had fallen down dead;
12. and that the rest of the apostles had wrought many miracles;
14. to the increase of the faith;
17. the apostles are again imprisoned;
19. but delivered by an angel bidding them preach openly to all;
21. when, after their teaching accordingly in the temple,
29. and before the council,
33. they are in danger to be killed;
34. but through the advice of Gamaliel, they are kept alive, and are only beaten;
41. for which they glorify God, and cease no day from preaching.














After him, Judas the Galilean appeared
Judas the Galilean is a historical figure mentioned in the context of Jewish resistance against Roman rule. He emerged after Theudas, another insurrectionist, as noted in the preceding verse. Judas is known for leading a revolt against the Roman census, which was seen as a symbol of subjugation and taxation. His appearance marks a period of heightened Jewish nationalism and unrest. This reflects the broader socio-political climate of first-century Judea, where messianic expectations and anti-Roman sentiments were prevalent.

in the days of the census
The census referred to here is likely the one conducted under Quirinius, the Roman governor of Syria, around 6 AD. This census was for the purpose of taxation and was deeply resented by the Jewish population, as it symbolized Roman oppression and control. The census is also mentioned in Luke 2:1-3, which provides context for the birth of Jesus. The resistance to the census by Judas the Galilean highlights the tension between Jewish autonomy and Roman authority.

and drew away people after him
Judas the Galilean's ability to draw followers indicates his influence and the appeal of his message, which likely centered on Jewish independence and opposition to Roman rule. This phrase underscores the recurring theme of charismatic leaders in Jewish history who sought to rally the people against foreign domination. It also serves as a cautionary example of how such movements, not ordained by God, ultimately fail.

He too perished
The demise of Judas the Galilean serves as a reminder of the futility of human-led insurrections against divinely permitted authorities. His death signifies the end of his movement and the temporary nature of earthly power. This echoes the biblical principle found in Proverbs 16:18, which warns of the downfall that follows pride and rebellion against God's established order.

and all his followers were scattered
The scattering of Judas's followers illustrates the disintegration of movements not founded on God's truth. This dispersion is reminiscent of the fate of other rebellious groups throughout biblical history, such as the followers of Korah in Numbers 16. It also foreshadows the scattering of the Jewish people after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. This scattering serves as a contrast to the enduring and unifying power of the Gospel, which gathers believers from all nations into one body in Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Judas the Galilean
A Jewish leader who led a revolt against Roman taxation during the time of the census. He is noted for his zeal and opposition to Roman rule, which ultimately led to his demise.

2. The Census
This refers to the Roman census, which was a point of contention for many Jews as it symbolized Roman authority and control over their land and people.

3. Followers of Judas
These were individuals who were drawn to Judas's cause, likely motivated by a desire for political and religious freedom from Roman oppression. Their scattering signifies the failure of the revolt.
Teaching Points
The Futility of Earthly Revolts
Judas's revolt serves as a reminder of the temporary nature of earthly power struggles. True and lasting change comes through spiritual transformation, not political upheaval.

The Danger of Misplaced Zeal
Zeal without wisdom or divine guidance can lead to destruction. Believers are called to channel their passion into God's purposes rather than earthly causes.

The Sovereignty of God
Despite human efforts to control or change circumstances, God's sovereign plan prevails. Trusting in His plan brings peace amidst worldly chaos.

The Importance of Discernment
Followers of Christ must discern whom they follow and what causes they support. Aligning with God's will is crucial for spiritual growth and effectiveness.

The Call to Spiritual Leadership
Unlike Judas, who led people to physical rebellion, Christian leaders are called to guide others towards spiritual renewal and obedience to God.(37) Judas of Galilee.--In one passage Josephus (Ant. xviii. 1) calls him a Gaulonite--i.e., of the country east of Galilee. Had this stood alone, St. Luke might have been charged here also with inaccuracy; but in other passages (Ant. xx. 5, ? 2; Wars, ii. 8, ? 1) he is described as a Galilean. On the taxing, in the modern sense of the term, which followed on the census that synchronised with our Lord's nativity, both being conducted under the supervision of Quirinus, see Notes on Luke 2:1-2. The insurrection of Judas was by far the most important of the attempts to throw off the yoke of Rome. He was assisted by a Pharisee, named Sadduk, and the absolute independence of Israel was the watchword of his followers. It was unlawful, in any form, to pay tribute to Caesar. It was lawful to use any weapons in defence of freedom. The war they waged was a religious war; and Josephus, writing long after the movement had collapsed, but giving, obviously, the impressions of his own early manhood, enumerates them as being with the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes, with the first of whom they were very closely allied--one of the four great religious sects of Judaism. Roman procurators and princes, like Archelaus and Antipas, were naturally united against him, and he and his followers came to the end of which Gamaliel speaks. His influence over the excitable population of Galilee was, however, at the time great, and in part survived. One of the Apostles probably derived his name of Zelotes, or Cananite (see Notes on Matthew 10:4), from having been among the followers of Judas, who were known by that name. His sons, Jacob and Simon, continued to be looked on as leaders after his death, and were crucified under Tiberius Alexander, the successor of Fadus in the procuratorship (Jos. Ant. xx. 5, ?2).

Verse 37 - Enrolment for taxing, A.V.; some of the for much, A.V.; as many for even as many, A.V.; scattered abroad for dispersed, A.V. Judas of Galilee, otherwise called the Gaulonite, as a native of Gamala, in Gaulonitis. He was probably called a Galilaean because Galilee was the seat of his insurrection (Josephus, 'Ant.,' 18, 1:1 and 6; also 'Bell. Jud.,' 2. 8:1; 17:8). He was the great leader of the Jews in opposing the census ordered by Augustus, after the deposition of Archelaus, and carried out by Cyrenius, or rather P. Sulpicius Quirinus, the Propraetor of Syria, with the assistance of Cumanus, the subordinate Governor of Judaea. Judas, with Zadoc his coadjutor, was the founder of a fourth Jewish sect, nearly allied to the Pharisees, and his sedition was founded on his philosophic tenets. Josephus speaks of him as the author of all the seditions, tumults, slaughters, sieges, devastations, plunder, famines, ending with the burning of the temple, which afflicted his unhappy country. He gives no account of his death. But his two sons, James and Simon, were crucified by Tiberius Alexander, the successor of Cuspius Fadus. Another son, Menahem, having collected and armed a large band of robbers and other insurgents, after a partially successful attack on the Roman camp at Jerusalem, was miserably slain. The enrolment (ἡ ἀπογραφή, as Luke 2:1). The purpose of Augustus, which had been delayed some years from causes not accurately known, perhaps in deference to some remonstrance from Herod the Great, was now carried into effect. Quirinus was sent, apparently the second time, as Proprsetor of Syria, to which Judaea was now attached, with Cumanus under him as Procurator of Judaea, to make a valuation of all their property. The Jews had been first persuaded by the high priest Joazar, i.e. apparently in the end of Herod's reign, or the beginning of Archelaus's, to submit to what they greatly disliked, but were now roused to insurrection by Judas of Galilee ('Ant.,' 18, 1:1). He also perished. Nothing is known of his death beyond this notice of it. Scattered abroad. Not crushed, for the insurrection broke out again and again, having the character of a religious war given to it by Judas of Galilee.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
After
μετὰ (meta)
Preposition
Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.

[him],
τοῦτον (touton)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

Judas
Ἰούδας (Ioudas)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2455: Of Hebrew origin; Judas, the name of ten Israelites; also of the posterity of one of them and its region.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Galilean
Γαλιλαῖος (Galilaios)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1057: A Galilean, an inhabitant of Galilee. From Galilaia; Galilean or belonging to Galilea.

appeared
ἀνέστη (anestē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 450: To raise up, set up; I rise from among (the) dead; I arise, appear. From ana and histemi; to stand up.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

the
ταῖς (tais)
Article - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

days
ἡμέραις (hēmerais)
Noun - Dative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2250: A day, the period from sunrise to sunset.

of the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

census
ἀπογραφῆς (apographēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 582: An enrollment, census-taking, record. From apographo; an enrollment; by implication, an assessment.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

drew away
ἀπέστησεν (apestēsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 868: From apo and histemi; to remove, i.e. instigate to revolt; usually to desist, desert, etc.

people
λαὸν (laon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2992: Apparently a primary word; a people.

after
ὀπίσω (opisō)
Preposition
Strong's 3694: Behind, after; back, backwards. From the same as opisthen with enclitic of direction; to the back, i.e. Aback.

him.
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

He too
κἀκεῖνος (kakeinos)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2548: And he, she, it, and that. From kai and ekeinos; likewise that.

perished,
ἀπώλετο (apōleto)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 622: From apo and the base of olethros; to destroy fully, literally or figuratively.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

all
πάντες (pantes)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

his followers
ὅσοι (hosoi)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3745: How much, how great, how many, as great as, as much. By reduplication from hos; as As.

were scattered.
διεσκορπίσθησαν (dieskorpisthēsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1287: From dia and skorpizo; to dissipate, i.e. to rout or separate; specially, to winnow; figuratively, to squander.


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NT Apostles: Acts 5:37 After this man Judas of Galilee rose (Acts of the Apostles Ac)
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