The physician Luke wrote how the apostles were put in prison for teaching and preaching, and after an angel freed them, they were teaching and preaching again when the high priest confronted them and asked, “Did not we straightly command you that you should not teach in this name? and, behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you slew and hanged on a tree. Him has God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God has given to them that obey him. When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space. And said unto them, You men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do as touching these men. For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought”, and in chapter five and verse thirty-seven of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “Gamaliel” said, “after this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of taxing” where we read:
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.
The verse begins, “After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him:” Luke began with the words, “after this man” which means “and behind or post this particular male human being named Theudas” “rose up Judas of Galilee” or “raised up and appeared Judas whose name means he shall be praised from the region and territory known as Galilee” “in the days of the taxing” which means “in the time period when an enrollment or registration in the public records of persons together with their income and property, as the basis of a census or valuation, that is so it might appear how much tax should be levied upon each one”, “and drew away much people after him” or “and fell away, departed or withdrew to become faithless following Judas of Galilee”. Luke shared how “Gamaliel” referred to another man known as “Judas of Galilee” who also caused people to withdraw from the Jewish faith during the time when the “census” was being taken.
The verse goes on to say, “he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.” Luke continued with the words, “he also perished” which means “Judas of Galilee even so and indeed was destroyed, killed or rendered useless”; “and all, even as many as obeyed him” or “and each, every, the whole and everyone who hearkened and conformed to Judas of Galilee”, “were dispersed” which means “were scattered abroad and separated”. Luke shared how “Gamaliel” said “Judas of Galilee” also “perished”, and all his followers were “scattered” as well.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we see how “Gamaliel” referred to another man who led people away from the Jewish faith. “Judas of Galilee” convinced enough people during the time of “census” that they should follow him rather than the Jewish faith and law. However, he also was “slain or killed”, and the crowd of his followers “scattered away”. God sent His Son Jesus into the world to “save” people from the penalty of sins because “sins” separated them from a relationship with Him. Jesus' message of “the good news of salvation” is greater than any message or messenger who appears, and those who are wise will follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and yield their life to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”.
Next time Luke shares how, “Gamaliel” says, “refrain from these men”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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