Judas Ἰούδας
The Galilean, a Jewish rebel leader
Who is Judas in the Bible?
Judas the Galilean was a Jewish rebel leader who led a revolt against the Roman census during the governorship of Quirinius in Syria, around 6-7 AD (Acts 5:37). He is mentioned in the New Testament during Gamaliel's speech to the Sanhedrin, where the respected teacher references Judas as an example of a failed uprising whose followers were scattered (Acts 5:34-39). Unlike Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, Judas the Galilean was a political revolutionary who opposed Roman taxation and occupation. His rebellion illustrates the Jewish resistance movements of first-century Palestine and serves as a historical reference point in Luke's gospel regarding the census at Jesus' birth (Luke 2:2).
Biography
Judas, also known as Judas the Galilean, is mentioned in Act.5.37 as a Jewish rebel leader who led a revolt against the Roman census. The context of the passage is Gamaliel's speech to the Sanhedrin, where he advises caution in dealing with the apostles and their teaching (Act.5.34-39).
According to Gamaliel, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some people after him. This census likely refers to the one conducted by Quirinius, the governor of Syria, around 6-7 AD (Luk.2.2).
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentActs 1 verse
- Acts 5:37
"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."
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Greek | Ἰούδας | Ioúdas | Judas (i.e. Jehudah), the name of ten Israelites; also of the posterity of one of them and its region |