Thaddaeus: One of the Twelve Apostles
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Thaddaeus, also known as Judas, son of James, is one of the lesser-known apostles of Jesus Christ. He is listed among the Twelve Apostles in the Synoptic Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. The name Thaddaeus appears in the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Mark, while the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles refer to him as Judas, son of James. This dual naming has led to some confusion, but it is generally accepted that Thaddaeus and Judas, son of James, are the same individual.

Biblical References:

1. Matthew 10:3 : "Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus."

2. Mark 3:18 : "Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot."

3. Luke 6:16 : "Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor."

4. Acts 1:13 : "When they arrived, they went to the upper room where they were staying. Present were Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James."

Identity and Name Variations:

Thaddaeus is sometimes identified with other names, such as Lebbaeus, as seen in some manuscript traditions of Matthew 10:3. The name Thaddaeus itself is of Aramaic origin, possibly meaning "heart" or "courageous." The Gospel of John does not mention Thaddaeus by name but refers to a "Judas (not Iscariot)" in John 14:22, which is traditionally understood to be Thaddaeus.

Role and Characteristics:

Thaddaeus is not prominently featured in the New Testament, and there are no specific accounts or teachings attributed to him. However, his inclusion among the Twelve Apostles signifies his role as a foundational member of the early Church. The apostles were chosen by Jesus to be His closest followers and to spread His teachings after His resurrection and ascension.

Tradition and Legacy:

Christian tradition holds that Thaddaeus preached the Gospel in various regions, including Judea, Samaria, Idumaea, Syria, Mesopotamia, and Libya. Some traditions suggest he was martyred for his faith, although the details of his death are not consistently recorded across sources.

Thaddaeus is often associated with the symbol of a club, reflecting the manner of his martyrdom according to some accounts. He is venerated as a saint in various Christian traditions, and his feast day is celebrated on different dates depending on the liturgical calendar.

Theological Significance:

Thaddaeus, like the other apostles, played a crucial role in the establishment and spread of early Christianity. His life and ministry, though not extensively documented in Scripture, are a testament to the diverse backgrounds and personalities of those whom Jesus called to be His disciples. Thaddaeus's faithfulness and dedication to the mission of Christ serve as an example for believers to follow in spreading the Gospel message.
Nave's Topical Index
Matthew 10:3
Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
Nave's Topical Index

Mark 3:18
And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,
Nave's Topical Index

Greek
2280b. Thaddaios -- Thaddeus, one of the twelve apostles
... Word Origin of Aramaic origin Definition Thaddeus, one of the twelve apostles NASB
Word Usage Thaddaeus (2). 2280a, 2280b. Thaddaios. 2281 . Strong's Numbers
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2280b.htm - 5k

2280. Thaddaios -- Thaddaeus.
... Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Thaddaios Phonetic Spelling: (thad-dah'-yos) Short
Definition: Thaddaeus Definition: Thaddaeus, one of the twelve apostles. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2280.htm - 5k

3002. Lebbaios -- Lebbaeus.
... yos) Short Definition: Lebbaeus Definition: Lebbaeus, a pet-name for Thaddaeus,
one of the twelve apostles of Jesus; the full form of the name is not known. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3002.htm - 6k

Library

After Prayer Jesus Selects Twelve Apostles.
... were humble "fishermen"]; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; { ^c Judas ... though
called an apostle by Paul, was not one of the twelve apostles (nor was ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xli after prayer jesus selects.htm

The Choice of the Twelve
... Matthew in one is Levi in another. Thaddaeus, Jude, and Lebbaeus, are interchangeable. ...
Divide the Twelve into three ranks of four, and in none of the four ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 3 7-19 the choice of.htm

The Twelve and the Seventy.
... 36:7] and Jude had the two other names of Lebbaeus and Thaddaeus. ... His regard for
the Jews by sending no less than twelve apostles to that one nation, but He ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter iii the twelve and.htm

The Obscure Apostles
... Bartholomew and 'Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus,' and the rest ... be a conspicuous
or an obscure one, we shall ... were the names of the twelve apostles of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the obscure apostles.htm

The Acts of the Apostles.
... of Cuspius Fadus, ad44, ten or twelve years after ... after the death of Herod the Great,
one under the ... of Judas (who may have been Theudas or Thaddaeus, the two ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 85 the acts of.htm

Leadership for Service
... Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The ... James the son of Alphaeus, and
Thaddaeus; Simon the ... Service versus exploitation, that is one of the tests ...
/.../the social principles of jesus/chapter vii leadership for service.htm

Sources and Literature of the Apostolic Age.
... apostle, as the chief of the twelve foundation-stones ... and all subsequent ages, stands
the one great Master ... coasts of the Black Sea); to Thaddaeus, Thomas, and ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 20 sources and literature.htm

The Perpetual virginity of Blessed Mary.
... Judas the zealot in another Gospel is called Thaddaeus. ... by nature are Esau and Jacob,
the twelve patriarchs, Andrew ... Jews are called brethren of one another, as ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/the perpetual virginity of blessed.htm

Introduction
... Some one whose lead the Synod followed"probably the papal ... in Munster and five in
Leinster"twelve bishoprics for ... rule in the Acts of the Apostles.[53] If ...
/.../lawlor/st bernard of clairvauxs life of st malachy of armagh/introduction.htm

Resources
Why is the order of Jesus' calling His disciples different in some of the gospels? | GotQuestions.org

New Testament Individuals ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

What is the Letter of King Abgar to Jesus? | GotQuestions.org

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