Bible Dictionary

Judas Of Galilee

People & Groups • New Testament

Judas of Galilee led a revolt connected with the census under Quirinius. His followers were defeated, and his movement is associated with the later Zealot cause.

Definition

Judas of Galilee was the leader of an insurrection connected with the census under Quirinius. He is also called a Gaulonite because he came from the city of Gamala in Gaulonitis. His followers were defeated in the revolt, and the movement is associated with the party of the Zealots.

Biblical Usage

Gamaliel referred to Judas in his speech before the Sanhedrin, recalling that Judas rose during the census and that those who followed him perished. His revolt is therefore presented in Acts as an earlier failed movement against governing authority.

Historical Background

The insurrection occurred in the period of the census under Quirinius, identified in the sources as A.D. 6 or 7. Gamala lay in Gaulonitis near the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, which explains the designation “Galilean.” His followers are regarded as doctrinal ancestors of later Zealots and Sicarii.

Scripture References

Acts 5:37

Related Figures

Historical Bible Dictionaries

Smith's Bible Dictionary

the leader of a popular revolt “in the days of the taxing” (i.e. the census, under the prefecture of P. Sulp. Quirinus, A.D. 6, A.U.C. 759), referred to by Gamaliel in his speech before the Sanhedrin. (Acts 5:37) According to Josephus, Judas was a Gaulonite of the city of Gamala, probably taking his name of Galilean from his insurrection having had its rise in Galilee. The Gaulonites, as his followers were called, may be regarded as the doctrinal ancestors of the Zealots and Sicarii of later days.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)

<p>(ho Galilaios): Mentioned in Ac 5:37 as the leader of an insurrection occasioned by the census of Quirinius in 7 AD (see QUIRINIUS). He, and those who obeyed him, it is said, perished in that revolt. Josephus also repeatedly mentions Judas by this same name, "the Galilean," and speaks of his revolt (Ant., XVIII, i, 6; XX, v, 2; BJ, II, viii, 1; xviii, 8; VII, viii, 1), but in Ant, XVIII, i, names him a Gaulonite, of the city of Gamala. As Gamala was in Gaulonitis, not far from the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, it may be regarded as belonging to that province. The party of Judas seems to have been identified with the Zealots.</p><p>James Oar</p>

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