There’s a reason the disciples thought Jesus would liberate them from Rome. So many false Messiahs had swooped into Israel during those days, and after Jesus ascended, it still happened. Why? Well, Israel had been used to overthrowing any oppressors. God overthrew Egypt’s slave system through Moses. The Maccabees overthrew Greece and Macedonia. So, why would Rome be any different? Hence why two men by the name of Theudas popped onto the scene—and even performed false signs and wonders.
As we get nearer and nearer to the end times, we’re constantly looking for false messiahs. We know the Antichrist will perform miracles to sway many people. The truth is that false messiahs have existed for a long time. And maybe if we look at the two men named Theudas, we can understand how these fake Messiahs work and how to avoid their tactics.
Who Was Theudas in the Bible?
There are two men named Theudas—who coincidentally both decided to be false messiahs. Pro tip for parents: don’t name your kid Theudas.
How do we know there are two? One is listed in the Bible, and one is mentioned in Josephus’s histories.
At first glance, it may seem like the same person. However, chronologically it doesn’t add up. They seem to appear in different time slots of the first century. And because Rome shut down any false messiahs—executing them and their followers—it makes more sense that two men named Theudas existed at different times in the first century. Both men performed signs and wonders and reached untimely ends.
We must understand there were many false preachers and messiahs during the first century. These people would accrue followers and sometimes perform signs (probably using witchcraft). Eventually, their movements ended when they died.
This is why Jesus was so exciting to the Jewish people—until he didn’t do what they wanted him to do. He performed signs and wonders, spoke with authority, and seemed the perfect candidate to topple Rome. He seemed different than the other false messiahs. But because he didn’t do what they wanted, they crucified him.
So that’s why the Jewish people were so confused that Jesus’s followers—fifty days after Jesus’s death—suddenly were emboldened with power. They performed miracles, preached about salvation, and would even die for their beliefs.
Not liking this, the Jewish people threw the apostles into prison and made them stand before the Jewish high court (Acts 5). Enter the first Theudas. Let’s take a look at the verse.
“Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.” (Acts 5:36)
The Pharisee Gamaliel spoke these words to the council of religious leaders. He then gave a laundry list of previous insurrectionists who met horrific ends. He convinced the Jewish high court that if Jesus’s followers spoke lies, their movement would die with them—as Theudas’ movement died. But if they were speaking the truth, the movement would persist. And it has for thousands of years.
One thing to note about this Theudas: he accrued 400 followers. He had to have performed some significant signs or spoken with great authority. No wonder Gamaliel would compare such a man with how the Jewish people perceived Jesus.
Apart from that, we don’t know much else about this Theudas. But Josephus gives examples of another man named Theudas, whose revolt would die with him.
Who Was the Theudas Mentioned by Josephus?
Both men named Theudas share many similarities, so where do they differ?
This second Theudas showed up after Jesus’s time, according to Josephus (44-46 AD). The one Gamaliel mentioned would have operated before Jesus’s ministry (so sometime before 33 AD).
The second Theudas took a group of followers to the Jordan River and, through witchcraft, parted the waters in two. This is a clear sign intended to resemble the miracle seen in Joshua 3-4.
In addition to this, the second Theudas spoke with authority that swayed a great many people.
This movement, however, got shut down quickly.
A procurator of the region, named Fadus, decided to put an end to Theudas. He sent a troop of horsemen to slay a bunch of Theudas’s followers. They took Theudas back alive so they could behead him.
I want to point out a few things about this particular Theudas.
First, he replicates one of God’s miracles from the Old Testament. It makes sense that he could have gathered many people under his wing at this time. People had been disappointed in Jesus a decade prior. They were still looking for a messiah. So if a man—in the desert (the messiah was prophesied to be in the desert) suddenly helps them to cross the Jordan through a miracle, we can understand how so many would be deceived.
Never mind that Theudas didn’t fulfill the hundreds of other prophecies in the Old Testament. If people have itching ears and eyes, they will overlook clear contradictions if someone offers to scratch.
This brings us to the Antichrist.
Theudas and the Antichrist share many similar qualities. The Antichrist will appear to be a messiah to many. He will perform signs and wonders, and many will be led astray.
And like Theudas’s followers, they will be led to their demise, along with the Antichrist.
What Can We Learn from Both Men Named Theudas?
Apart from the silly application of “don’t be a false messiah,” we can learn several things from these two men from the first century.
1. The Movements of Liars Don’t Last Long.
This bolsters our faith in a strong way. Men do not die for a lie.
If we think about the horrors of martyrdom throughout the centuries—especially in those first few centuries—it makes no sense that anyone would perish for something they knew not to be true.
If the apostles didn’t witness the true, resurrected Christ, they wouldn’t have endured being flayed alive, beheaded, crucified upside-down, and clubbed to death (among other horrific ways to go). These same men scattered when Jesus was arrested, fearing they would be killed.
For such frightened men to be transformed years later, becoming men who could endure some of the most painful deaths known to humanity, they would have to be backed by a movement powerful and true.
2. The Antichrist Has Shown Us His Game Plan for a Long Time
Satan doesn’t have new tricks.
Many antichrists will come before the Antichrist, with a capital A.
But their methods are all the same. They will perform signs and wonders and speak with a voice that mesmerizes people.
Although Jesus did such things, he proved himself far better than these false messiahs. Because he defeated death. He provided a way of salvation through his death and resurrection.
We need to know about men like Theudas because people constantly look for a messiah. If they reject Jesus, they will turn to other things. Many have messiahs of money, fame, sex, power, etc.
We are born to worship and follow someone.
And the Antichrist will take full advantage of this. With Theudas in mind, let us watch and be vigilant for the most powerful false messiah to enter the world’s stage soon.
Photo Credit: Getty Images/champc
Hope Bolinger is an acquisitions editor at End Game Press, book editor for hire, and the author of almost 30 books. More than 1500 of her works have been featured in various publications. Check out her books at hopebolinger.com for clean books in most genres, great for adults and kids. Check out her editing profile at Reedsy.com to find out about hiring her for your next book project.
This article is part of our People of Christianity catalog that features the stories, meaning, and significance of well-known people from the Bible and history. Here are some of the most popular articles for knowing important figures in Christianity:
How Did the Apostle Paul Die?
Who are the Nicolaitans in Revelation?
Who Was Deborah in the Bible?
Who Was Moses in the Bible?
King Solomon's Story in the Bible
Who Was Lot's Wife in the Bible?
Who Was Jezebel in the Bible?
Who Was the Prodigal Son?
