Egyptian (prophet)

The Egyptian was a messianic Jewish revolt leader.

Flavius Josephus says in his Jewish War (2.261-262)

There was an Egyptian false prophet that did the Jews more mischief than the former; for he was a cheat, and pretended to be a prophet also, and got together thirty thousand men that were deluded by him; these he led round about from the wilderness to the mount which was called the Mount of Olives. He was ready to break into Jerusalem by force from that place; and if he could but once conquer the Roman garrison and the people, he intended to rule them by the assistance of those guards of his that were to break into the city with him. — Flavius Josephus, Jewish War, 2.261-262^[1]

The commander (chiliarch) of the Roman garrison in Jerusalem, Claudius Lysias, makes mention of the Egyptian in Acts 21:38.

References

1. "Messianic claimants (10) The Egyptian prophet".