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”, and in chapter five and verse thirty-six of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “Gamaliel” said, “for before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody” where we read:
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.
The verse begins, “For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody;” Luke began with the words, “for before these days” which means “ because, since and on account that in advance and prior to the day when the apostles were teaching and the religious leaders were meeting concerning them” “rose up Theudas” or “raised up or appeared Theudas whose name means God-given and was the head of about four hundred men. He was probably one of the insurrectionary chiefs or fanatics by whom the land was overrun in the last year of Herod's reign”, “boasting himself to be somebody” which means “saying, affirming and mentioning his own self to exist as a certain or particular person”. Luke shared how “Gamaliel” reminded the other religious leaders about a man named “Theudas” who led people away from the Jewish law and faith.
The verse continues, “to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves:” Luke added the words, “to whom a number of men” which means “who a great amount of male human beings”, “about four hundred” or “around four hundred men”, “joined themselves” which means “cleaved to and adhered their own selves” to “Theudas”. Luke shared how “Gamaliel” reminded the other religious leaders that “four hundred men joined themselves” to “Theudas”.
Finally the verse says, “who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.” Luke ended this verse with the words, “who was slain” or “Theudas was abolished, destroyed and killed”; “and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered” which means “and each, every, the whole and everyone who hearkened and conformed to Theudas were utterly dissolved”, “and brought to nothing” or “and made to become as no one or not one thing”. Luke concluded this verse by sharing how “Gamaliel” spoke of “Theudas” being killed and all his followers dispersing.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Gamaliel” was building his case as to why the religious leaders should not worry or be concerned about the “apostles” of Jesus. He referred to the past when a man named “Theudas” led people away from the Jewish faith and law, and yet, “Theudas” was killed, and his entire movement ended as well. God was working His plan of preserving the spreading of His “gospel” of salvation through His Son Jesus, and we shall see how this speech of “Gamaliel” allowed the message to continue. God's desire is to have a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and when they yield themselves to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. This message is for everyone to receive, and no one will be able to stop it for all eternity.
Next time Luke shares how, “Gamaliel” says, “after this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of taxing”, 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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