Expectation of the Messiah in the First Century #
The Jewish people of Jesus’ generation lived with an intense expectancy of the coming Messiah. Centuries of prophecy had stirred a national longing for deliverance. However, their expectation was misaligned — they anticipated a political and military Saviour who would overthrow the oppressive Roman Empire and restore national Israel to glory.
Jesus warned His disciples plainly:
Matthew 24:5 (AMP)
“For many will come in (on the strength of) My name [appropriating the name which belongs to Me], saying, I am the Christ (the Messiah), and they will lead many astray.”
Mark 13:6 (ESV)
“Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray.”
Luke 21:8 (ESV)
“And he said, ‘See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, “I am he!” and, “The time is at hand!” Do not go after them.'”
The phrase “I am” (Greek: egō eimi, ἐγώ εἰμι) echoes the divine name revealed to Moses (Exodus 3:14), further heightening the deception by false claimants. Their expectation was rooted in a correct reading of Daniel’s prophecies but twisted by carnal interpretations. Daniel had precisely pointed to the four kingdoms leading up to the establishment of God’s Kingdom:
Daniel 2:40 (ESV)
“And there shall be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron, because iron breaks to pieces and shatters all things. And like iron that crushes, it shall break and crush all these.”
Daniel 2:44 (ESV)
“And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever.”
Daniel’s vision of the four kingdoms was:
- Babylon
- Medo-Persia
- Greece
- Rome (Daniel 2:28)
Thus, during the Roman occupation (the fourth kingdom), the Jews anticipated the imminent arrival of the Messiah. Luke captures the national mood vividly:
Luke 3:15 (AMP)
“As the people were in suspense and waiting expectantly, and everybody reasoned and questioned in their hearts concerning John, whether he perhaps might be the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).”
The Greek word for “waiting expectantly” (prosdokō, προσδοκῶ) implies a tense, eager watching. Yet, because their expectation was for earthly deliverance rather than spiritual redemption, many were vulnerable to deception.
Fulfilment: False Messiahs in the First Century #
After Jesus’ death and resurrection, the emergence of false messiahs was swift and aggressive — fulfilling Christ’s warnings within that very generation (cf. Matthew 24:34). Luke, in the Book of Acts, documents some early impostors:
1. Theudas #
Acts 5:33–37 (ESV)
“When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them.But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honour by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. And he said to them, ‘Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men.
For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered.'”
Josephus records how Theudas persuaded many to follow him to the Jordan River, claiming he could part it like Moses. His movement ended tragically when Roman forces crushed the rebellion (Josephus, Antiquities 20.5.1).
2. Simon Magus #
Acts 8:9–12 (ESV)
“But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practised magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great.
They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, ‘This man is the power of God that is called Great.’
And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic.
But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptised, both men and women.”
Historical records indicate that Simon Magus claimed to be the Son of God, as well as the Word (Logos) and the Power of God (Irenaeus, Against Heresies, cited in Kik, p. 92).
Jerome also quotes Simon claiming:
“I am the Word of God, I am the Comforter, I am Almighty, I am all there is of God…” (Mansel, The Gnostic Heresies, p. 82).
This highlights how spiritual deception not only mimicked Messianic claims but also distorted Christological doctrines.
3. Judas of Galilee #
Acts 5:37–38 (AMP)
“And after this one rose up Judas the Galilean, [who led an uprising] during the time of the census, and drew away a popular following after him; he also perished and all his adherents were scattered.
Now in the present case let me say to you, stand off (withdraw) from these men and let them alone. For if this doctrine or purpose or undertaking or movement is of human origin, it will fail (be overthrown and come to nothing).”
Judas stirred an armed rebellion, rejecting Roman taxation, and founded what later became the radical Zealot movement (cf. Josephus, Jewish Antiquities 18.1.1).
4. The Unknown Egyptian #
Acts 21:37–39 (AMP)
“Just as Paul was about to be taken into the barracks, he asked the commandant, May I say something to you? And the man replied, Can you speak Greek?
Are you not then [as I supposed] the Egyptian who not long ago stirred up a rebellion and led those 4,000 men who were cutthroats out into the wilderness (desert)?
Paul answered, I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant or undistinguished city. I beg you, allow me to address the people.”
Josephus describes this Egyptian who deceived multitudes, promising to topple Jerusalem’s walls by divine power, an event eerily resembling the prophetic style but without divine authority (Wars of the Jews 2.13.5; Antiquities 20.8.6).
Historical Confirmation of Widespread Deception #
The historian Josephus reports:
“[Impostors and deceivers] persuaded the multitude to follow them into the wilderness… and pretended that they would exhibit manifest wonders and signs, the providence of God should perform that” (Antiquities 20.8.6).
Spence and Excell affirm:
“There were doubtless many false Messiahs whose names are little known… critics have enumerated twenty-nine such.” (The Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 15, p. 431).
Justin Martyr and Tertullian document how Simon Magus was revered even in Rome, falsely called “the holy god” (Gangel, Acts, p. 131).
Key Spiritual Insight #
The rise of false messiahs highlights a critical truth: the Kingdom of God is spiritual, not political (Luke 17:20–21).
The Messiah came not to overthrow earthly powers, but to overthrow sin, death, and the curse itself.
The Greek term Christos (Χριστός) means “Anointed One,” not a military deliverer. Likewise, the Hebrew Mashiach (מָשִׁיחַ) points to one set apart by God for a sacred purpose, not for carnal conquest.
Misunderstanding the nature of Christ’s mission made the Jews susceptible to deception — because their expectation was rooted in the flesh and not in the Spirit (cf. Romans 8:5–8).
Jesus’ warnings were not vague predictions for some far-distant age. They were urgent alerts for His own generation, a generation teeming with religious fervour, political unrest, and the easy prey of false prophets.
Understanding the spiritual nature of Christ’s Kingdom remains crucial today. As believers, we must discern the voice of the true Shepherd (John 10:27) from the many voices that still promise worldly salvation.
In Christ,
Shaliach.
