Thaddaeus (Judas son of James)
The Curious Disciple with a Loyal Heart
Name Information
- Meaning: "Heart" or "Courageous" (Thaddaeus); Judas means "Praise" (Hebrew: Yehudah)
- Language of Origin: Aramaic / Hebrew
- Gender Usage: Masculine
Thaddaeus, also known as Judas son of James, was one of the Twelve Apostles. Though not often mentioned, he demonstrated sincere faith and curiosity about Jesus' mission. His question to Jesus in John 14 reflects a desire to understand Christ’s plans for revealing Himself. Thaddaeus represents those who may work in the background but are still faithful to the core of Jesus’ mission.
⏰ 1st century AD
Roles
- Apostle
- Disciple
Relationships
- Father: James
Story
Chosen by Jesus as one of the Twelve.
At the Last Supper, he asked Jesus, 'Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?' (John 14:22).
Jesus answered by pointing to the importance of love and obedience in the believer’s relationship with Him.
Tradition suggests he later preached the Gospel and may have suffered martyrdom, though details vary.
Spiritual Significance
- One of the Twelve Apostles chosen by Jesus.
- Called Thaddaeus in Matthew and Mark; called Judas (not Iscariot) in Luke and John.
- Asked Jesus an insightful question about how He would reveal Himself to His followers but not the world.
- Though not prominent, faithfully followed and served Christ.
Christ Connection
Thaddaeus' question led to one of Jesus’ clearest teachings on the indwelling presence of God through the Holy Spirit.
What We Can Learn
- God honors sincere questions from the heart.
- Even quiet followers are entrusted with deep spiritual truths.
- True love for Christ is shown through obedience to His Word.
Memory Verses
Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?
— John 14:22
Key Passages
- Matthew 10:3
- Mark 3:18
- Luke 6:16
- John 14:22
We do our best to ensure all content aligns with Scripture, using both AI tools and human review to validate accuracy. However, we’re human — if you notice any errors, please let us know at contact@bibleinshort.com.