Who Is Thaddeus, the Disciple?

Thaddeus (or Thaddaeus) is one of the more unique and obscure figures among Jesus Christ’s disciples in the New Testament.

Though we know little about him from the Bible or tradition, we do know that he went by a few names, specifically Thaddeus, Lebbaeus, and Judas of James.

As we piece together the small tidbits about Thaddeus, let’s see what these names tell us about him and what we can learn from his life.

We’ll look at:

• Thaddeus’s name(s)
• Thaddeus before his calling
• Thaddeus as a disciple
• Thaddeus after the ascension

Thaddeus’s name(s)

The different Gospel accounts present Thaddeus with different names. In Matthew 10:3 and Mark 3:18, he’s listed as “Thaddeus.” But in Luke 6:16 and Acts 1:13, the name “Thaddeus” is excluded completely, and we find someone named “Judas” instead. For this reason, we can safely assume they’re the same individual.

And John 14:22 directly clarifies that this Judas is not the same Judas (Iscariot) who betrayed Jesus.

But these names aren’t just a case of mistaken identity or a biblical typo. They’re a glimpse into the naming conventions in ancient times.

Some suggest that Judas was his real name. Then, “Thaddeus,” his surname or family name (Matthew 10:3), would have distinguished him from Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Jesus.

Just as some of us might go by nicknames or middle names in different settings, Thaddeus’s multiple names may have reflected various aspects of his identity or role within the community. According to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, Thaddeus can mean “large-hearted or courageous.”¹ In Bible times, names were often given based on character qualities (Genesis 32:28; Hosea 1:4-11), and this would’ve been no different.

The New King James and the King James Version of Matthew 10:3 tells us that he was also called Lebbaeus. Lebbaeus can mean “a man of heart”—similar to the meaning of Thaddeus.²

And Thaddeus wasn’t the only disciple to be referred to by more than one name. Such was also the case for Matthew (Levi), Nathanael (Bartholomew), and Peter (Simon, Cephas), among others.

But we still have some mysteries to explore—like who was Thaddeus related to according to the Bible? Was he connected to the disciple James, the son of Alphaeus? And did he write the book of Jude?

More on those next.

Son or brother of James? And, which James?

Depending on the Bible version you refer to, Luke 6:16 and Acts 1:13 might tell you that Thaddeus is either the brother of James (NKJV or KJV) or the son of James (other versions).

However, the original Greek text says neither. It simply reads “Judas of James,” and this wording has led scholars to conclude that this James was Judas’s father, not his brother.³

So, is this James the same as any of the other ones listed in the Bible? In Luke 6:15-16, James the son of Alphaeus (aka “James the Less”) is mentioned. Could they be related?

Adventist scholars don’t believe so:

“Almost certainly this James, the father of Thaddaeus or Judas, is not to be identified with any other James of the NT, for the name was very common.”⁴

(And the name James remains common, even today!)

The Judas who wrote the Epistle of Jude?

Jude, the title of an epistle in the New Testament and the name of the author who wrote it, is the same as the name Judas. This has led some to wonder whether the disciple Judas Thaddeus, also known as “Jude the Apostle,” might’ve written the book of Jude.

The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Dictionary offers a different perspective. It suggests that the author of Jude—who may have been the brother of Jesus (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3)—and Judas the disciple are two different people.⁵

Jude 1 identifies its author as the brother of James, while evidence points to Judas Thaddeus being the son, rather than the brother, of James. What’s more, the way Jude writes suggests he wasn’t one of the disciples. He refers to the twelve apostles of Jesus as though he wasn’t one of them (Jude 17).⁶

So, now that we know a little more about Thaddeus’s name, let’s see what we can learn about him as a person.

Thaddeus before his calling

The Scriptures don’t provide details about Thaddeus’s life before being a disciple or his calling to be a disciple. That means we’re left to speculate based on the historical and cultural context of the time.

Thaddeus’s life, much like many of his contemporaries, likely centered around the routines of first-century Judea. He was possibly a common man, engaged in agriculture, fishing, or another similar trade.

In those times, the Jewish people were under Roman occupation, which meant dealing with taxes and soldiers while also trying to uphold the rich customs and laws of Judaism. Like the other Jews, Thaddeus would’ve longed for the coming of the Messiah to end the Roman occupation.

So, what might have drawn Thaddeus to Jesus?

While there isn’t a Bible verse that directly tells us, there are many likely possibilities. Perhaps he felt discontent with the status quo and wanted something beyond the stagnant rituals of the Jews. Maybe it was the Roman oppression that made the message of a new kingdom, one based on love and justice, so appealing. Or it could have been the miracles and teachings of Jesus, stories of which were undoubtedly spreading across the regions.

Thaddeus’s decision to follow Jesus was not just a personal turning point; it was a step into a new way of understanding God, society, and himself.

Thaddeus as a disciple

Once Thaddeus decided to follow Jesus, he became a key player in a story that would shape the course of history. Though he doesn’t stand out like Peter or John, he was still part of the core team—those dozen men who were the first to hear Jesus’ teachings and witness His miracles.

Being a disciple wasn’t just about being front and center; it was about being part of the support system, the group that carried the message of Jesus to the masses. Thaddeus helped lay the foundation of the early Christian church simply by being there, learning, and later spreading Jesus’ teachings. He reminds us that sometimes, the most profound impact is made not by words but by presence and perseverance.

The one time that Thaddeus’s words are recorded is in John 14:19-22. Jesus was explaining to His disciples that He was going to go away and that He would only reveal Himself to some. Confused, Thaddeus (called Judas in this passage) asked:

“Lord, how is it you’re going to reveal yourself to us and not to the world?” (John 14:22, CSB)

His question revealed the mindset he shared with all the other Jews: the hope of a Messiah who would reveal Himself to the whole world and conquer the Jews’ enemies. Here’s how some Bible commentators put it:

“Judas doubtless had in mind a visible manifestation of glory such as was expected to attend the advent of the Messiah. It was apparently disappointing to him that the manifestation was to be made to only a few…. In common with his Jewish compatriots he doubtless shared the hope that the Messiah would manifest Himself in judgment over the Gentiles and in the re-establishment of the spiritual theocracy.”⁷

Like the other disciples, Thaddeus had to slowly unlearn all he’d expected the Messiah to do. Jesus’ ministry was so different from what he’d been waiting for. But over time, he would come to understand and become a strong witness for the Gospel.

Thaddeus after the ascension

After Jesus’ ascension, Thaddeus was in the upper room, praying and receiving the Holy Spirit with the other disciples (Acts 1:13). From there, we know nothing more about him except what various historical and traditional sources suggest.

Let’s take a look at those.

Oral church tradition claims that he ministered throughout Judea, Mesopotamia, Syria, and Lybia.⁸

And some traditions hold that he went as far as Persia to preach Christianity.⁹ This is the tradition mentioned in Foxe’s Book of Martyrs:

“Being sent to Persia, he wrought many miracles and made many converts, which stirring up the resentment of people in power, he was crucified in the year 72 after Christ.”¹⁰

On the other hand, Armenians believe that Thaddeus came to their country in AD 43 and was later martyred there.¹¹

But regardless, his presence at Pentecost suggests that he continued the work he started with Jesus. He likely traveled, spreading the teachings of Christ, and played a crucial role in establishing early Christian communities.

Thaddeus—quiet yet steadfast

Thaddeus, a man of multiple names and a witness to monumental events, represents the quiet yet steadfast believers whose stories we know little about.

His journey with Jesus is a reminder that every follower, regardless of their role’s prominence, contributes significantly to the spread of the Gospel message.