Judas of Galilee facts for kids

Judas of Galilee, also known as Judas of Gamala, was a Jewish leader who lived around 6 CE. He is famous for leading a protest against the census that the Romans ordered for tax purposes in the province of Judaea. Judas encouraged Jewish people not to register for this census. His followers even targeted those who did register.

Historians believe Judas helped start a group called the "Zealots." The ancient historian Josephus wrote about Judas and the Zealots in his books, The Jewish War and Antiquities of the Jews. The Bible also mentions Judas in the Acts of the Apostles.

Who Was Judas of Galilee?

Judas of Galilee was a strong leader who believed that Jewish people should not pay taxes to the Roman Empire. He felt that God alone was the true ruler of Israel. This idea was very important to him and his followers.

Standing Up to Rome

In 6 CE, the Roman governor, Quirinius, ordered a census. This meant counting everyone to make sure they paid their taxes to Rome. Judas of Galilee strongly opposed this. He believed it was wrong for the Jewish people to pay taxes to a foreign power. He encouraged people to resist the census, and his actions sparked a movement of defiance.

The Zealots: A Fight for Freedom

Josephus, a Jewish historian from that time, wrote that Judas, along with another leader named Zadok the Pharisee, started a group called the Zealots. Josephus described the Zealots as a "fourth sect" of Judaism, different from the Sadducees, the Pharisees, and the Essenes.

The Zealots strongly believed that only God should rule over Israel. They urged people not to pay any taxes to Rome. Josephus blamed this group for causing the war with the Romans that happened later, from 66 to 73 CE.

What Josephus Wrote

Josephus's writings are our main source of information about Judas of Galilee. He tells us about Judas's role in starting the Zealot movement and their strong desire for freedom from Roman rule. Josephus believed that the Zealots' extreme views led to the big war against Rome.

Different Views on History

Some modern historians think that Josephus might have had his own reasons for writing about Judas and the Zealots in a certain way. They suggest that Josephus might have wanted to show that a specific group was responsible for the war, perhaps to make other Jewish groups look better to the Romans. This means we should always think critically about historical accounts.

His Family's Legacy

Josephus does not describe how Judas of Galilee died. However, he does mention that Judas's sons, James and Simon, were executed around 46 CE by a Roman governor named Tiberius Julius Alexander.

Another important figure, Menahem ben Judah, who was an early leader in the Jewish Revolt of 66 CE, was also said to be Judas's son. Some historians think Menahem might have been Judas's grandson instead. Menahem's cousin, Eleazar ben Ya'ir, became a leader of the last Jewish defenders against the Romans at the fortress of Masada. This shows that Judas's ideas and spirit of resistance continued through his family.

Judas in the Bible

Judas of Galilee is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament. A wise Jewish leader named Gamaliel gives a speech where he talks about Judas. Gamaliel uses Judas and another leader named Theudas as examples of movements that failed because they were not from God. He suggests that if the movement started by Jesus of Nazareth was not from God, it would also fail. But if it was from God, it would succeed.

See also

• Galilean
• Gamala
• List of biblical figures identified in extra-biblical sources

In Spanish: Judas el Galileo para niños