Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
Theudas (Qeudav). Luke represents Gamaliel here about AD 35 as speaking of a man who led a revolt before that of Judas the Galilean in connection with the enrolment under Quirinius (Cyrenius) in AD 6. But Josephus (Ant. XX. 5, 1) tells of a Theudas who led a similar insurrection in the reign of Claudius about AD 44 or 45. Josephus (Ant. XVIII. 1, 6; XX. 5, 2; War ii. 8, 1 and 17, 8) also describes Judas the Galilean or Gaulonite and places him about AD 6. It is not certain that Josephus and Luke (Gamaliel) refer to the same Theudas as the name is an abbreviation of Theodosus, a common name. "Josephus gives an account of four men named Simon who followed each other within forty years, and of three named Judas within ten years, who were all instigators of rebellion" (Hackett). If the same Theudas is meant, then either Josephus or Luke (Gamaliel) has the wrong historical order. In that case one will credit Luke or Josephus according to his estimate of the two as reliable historians.
To be somebody (einai tina). Indirect assertion with the infinitive and the accusative of general reference (eauton) and tina, predicate accusative. Tina could be "anybody" or "somebody" according to context, clearly "somebody" of importance here.
Joined themselves (prosekliqh). Correct text and not prosekollhqh (Textus Receptus). First aorist passive indicative of prosklinw, old verb to lean towards, to incline towards. Here only in the N.T.
Was slain (anhreqh). First aorist passive of anairew (cf. verse Acts 5:33).
Obeyed (epeiqonto). Imperfect middle, kept on obeying.
Were dispersed (dieluqhsan). First aorist passive indicative (effective aorist) of dialuw, old verb to dissolve, to go to pieces. Here only in the N.T.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing Acts 5:36:
Acts 5:37
Acts 8:1
Acts 12:2
Acts 12:9
Acts 23:6
1 Timothy 5:21
Revelation 2:9
Revelation 8:11
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