Thaddeus of the twelve apostles was in fact Theudas, in a variant of his name.

The former Prodigal Son, he was now much older, remaining head of the Therapeautae, and as a moderate nationalist and leader of Alexandrian members [of the Essenes at Qumran] (who could vary in their loyalties between east and west) he could join with either of the other groups. His primary association, however, was with the tetrarch Antipas, who saved him, as Barabbas, from crucifixion."   Jesus and the Riddle of the Dead Sea Scrolls --- page 81

December, 32 AD

     "(December, 32 AD) ---"This season was a less happy one for some of (Jesus') associates.  It was at this time that Pilate "mingled the blood of the Galileans with their sacrifices".  It was one of several occasions when the Young Lion of Wrath behaved with complete insensitivity to Jewish religious feelings, possibly the time when there was a protest about his spending money from the sacred treasury for building works.  He ordered his soldiers, carrying clubs, to dress in Jewish garments  and mix with the protesting Jews.   The soldiers bludgeoned them indescriminately, killing many." 

      "The three zealot leaders, Simon Magus (Pope), Judas Iscariot (his Second), and Theudas (Barabbas), led the uprising of nationalists.  They were structured as a triarchy of Priest, Prophet, and King, and in their minds they formed a reproduction of the triumvirate that had formerly ruled Rome.   When their protest failed and their followers were routed, they themselves escaped, but had to go into hiding.   Theudas-Barabbas had blood on his hands; he had killed a Roman soldier, "committed murder in the uprising".

     "From this time, Pilate's orders were to find and round up the zealot triarchy; if he succeeded in this, he would gain credit for having put down a constant source of harassment of the Romans."

Jesus and the Riddle of the Dead Sea Scrolls --- page 97, 98     Notes: page 420 #2 Luke 13:1  Ant. 18:55-59, 62   #3 Mark 15:7

March 19, 33 AD (Thursday)

     "In the reproduction "Jerusalem", [at Qumran] , the "Mount of Olives" was the monastery building east of the aqueduct.   After the Last Supper Jesus with his companions went across to the building, then turned down to the area of the divided cistern south of the monastery wall."

     "There were two hours to wait until midnight, when the test for Simon Magus and his associates would come.  Jesus had given evidence of support for Simon [the raising of Lazarus story], and was known to endorse western ways and the Julian calendar [this midnight was the proper time]; Theudas-Barabbas also was in the same party, as a close associate of the tetrarch Antipas."

     "If heaven favored Jesus at this time, the sign would come in the place in which he was most identified, the meeting hall of villagers.   Both married men and Gentiles were of this rank, and the hall had been built in the place where they assembled when they came to Qumran as pilgrims."

    "Jesus, coming to the doorway, said to John Mark, "Sit here", then took Peter, James, and John inside the hall.   During the next two hours he wrestled with the question of his loyalties.  He was not really on the side of the Magus; he had merely given him personal friendship.  It would be a betrayal of his own political position if he was arrested and tried as a zealot.  His political sympathies actually lay with Annas, who had also come into the village hall for the midnight vigil.  For a time, Jesus turned to him for support, submitting to him, and praying to him as the Father. (Mark 14:35-39)   Jesus and the Riddle of the Dead Sea Scrolls --- page 108, 109

5 AM old time  8 AM new time -- Pilate arrives from Jerusalem (40

                                                        km, 200  stadia, 2 1/2

                                                       hours by horse, horse rate 80 st

                                                       per hour)  He tries and

                                                       condemns Simon Magus.

6 AM old time 9 AM new time -- The tetrarch Antipas offers a

                                                       bribe for Theudas.

                                                      Judas ("this man") is tried in his

                                                      place.   Jesus is heard also,

                                                      defined as the third man, the

                                                      King, and made to wait (John

                                                      18:31-38, Mark 15:1-5, Luke 23:1-

                                                      10, Matt. 27:1-2, 11-14}

7 AM old time 10 AM new time -- Pilate becomes a member [of

                                                      the Essenes]  by a token

                                                      washing of hands, in order to

                                                      receive the bribe.  He announces

                                                      that Theudas-

                                Barabbas is to be released,

                                                      and Judas is to hang.

                                                    (John  18:38-40, Mark 15:6-15,

                                                     Matt. 27:15-25, Luke 23:13-19)

                                                          AGRIPPA mocks Jesus' claim

                                                     to be king in his place, dressing

                                                     him  in the purple of a king-

                                                     bishop,  and putting on him the

                                                     ascetic  crown of thorns worn by

                                                     Jonathan Annas (Stephen "the

                                                     crown", and  the Thorn, in the

                                                     flesh).  (John 19:2-5, Mark 15:16-

                                                     20, Matt. 27:27-30)

8 AM old time 11 AM new time -- Independent trial of Jesus.  No

                                                      bribe is offered for him,

                                                      and he is condemned.  (John

                                                      19:8-12, Luke  23:20-21)'

Jesus and the Riddle of the Dead Sea Scrolls --- page 240, 241