Introduction
Jude Thaddeus (Hebrew: Yehudah—Greek: Ioudas Thaddaios) was born circa AD 15 (3775–3776 in the Hebrew calendar) in the Roman district of Galilee. The New Testament writers only mentioned him six times, usually with Jesus' other eleven apostles. Luke preferred to call him "Judas of James" (Greek: Ioudan Iakōbou; G2455; G2385) in his eponymous gospel and its sequel, the Acts of the Apostles (see Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13). At the beginning of his letter, Jude identified himself as the "brother of James" (Greek: adelphos de Iakōbou; cf. Jude 1:1), implying he was also the brother of Jesus. Matthew and Mark confirmed this fact when they listed Jude with Jesus' brothers (see Matt. 13:55, Mark 6:3). Moreover, John clarified that another "Judas (not Iscariot)" ranked among Jesus' apostles (see John 14:22), even though Jesus' other brothers did not yet believe in him (see John 7:5). John also quoted Jude asking, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?" (John 14:22). To avoid confusion, we call him by the diminutive of "Jude" lest we accuse him of betraying Jesus, too. Know that when you read the letter of Jude, you are reading correspondence from a loyal brother and apostle. Yehudah (H3063) means "praised" in Hebrew, deriving from Judah, one of Israel's twelve tribes (see Num. 1:27).
Jude: Brother, Son, or Thaddeus?
We do not know what Luke meant by "Jude of James." The phrase could mean that Jude was either James' son or brother. A minimalist interpretation forbids us from assuming one over the other. Therefore, many scholars view Jesus' brother Jude and "Jude of James" as two different men. There is nothing in the text, however, to obligate us to such minimalism.
Given that Jude identified himself as Jesus' brother in his letter, the gospel writers list a man named "Jude," and James of Jerusalem was also the Lord's brother; it is logical and consistent to view all three as the same person. Translations such as the New International Version (NIV) render Ioudan Iakōbou as "Jude, a brother of James," but they have to add in the word "brother" where it initially did not exist in Greek. Nevertheless, it follows that the early church leaders considered the letter of Jude to have apostolic authority—written by one of the twelve. If we use the philosophical law of parsimony (i.e., "Ockham's razor"), that "we should not multiply entities unnecessarily," we realize that Jude could have very well been one of Jesus' brothers and apostles, brother to James, and an epistle writer. There is no reason to complicate the issue and multiply one individual two or three times; neither do the New Testament texts require it.
Matthew and Mark list a man called "Thaddeus" in their respective lists of Jesus' apostles (see Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18). Some scholars try to harmonize this by saying Jesus kept the number of apostles at twelve, changing the specific men. However, this is an argument from silence, and nothing in the text can infer such a thing. The simplest explanation, by process of elimination, is that Thaddaios (G2280) was a nickname for Jude, meaning "big-hearted" or "heart child." In the same way that we differentiate Jude from Judas Iscariot, Matthew and Mark chose to call him "Thaddeus." We have the same practice in the modern world: applying a nickname if we belong to a group with multiple people with the same first name. Therefore, his full name was Jude Thaddeus, the brother of Jesus and James.
Ossuary of Judas Thaddeus
In the mid-twentieth century, Israeli archaeologists found an ossuary inscribed "Judas Thaddaeus" (Greek: Ιουδας Θαδδαιου) in the Jezreel Valley town of Kfar Baruch along with four unmarked ossuaries (Rahmani, no. 145). When they evaluated oil lamps and other pottery in the area, they realized the ossuaries dated before the early second century. This artifact may prove that Jude was a real man and that Judas and Thaddeus were two names for the same individual. The significance of the "Judas Thaddaeus" ossuary extends beyond its potential implications for the historicity of biblical figures. It underscores the complex interplay between archaeology, history, and religious tradition, highlighting the ongoing quest to uncover and understand the lives of individuals who played pivotal roles in shaping the course of Christianity nearly two millennia ago.
* The picture above shows an unmarked first-century ossuary at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. It is not the "Judas Thaddeus" ossuary from the Jezreel Valley and only appears in this article for illustration purposes.
Conclusion
The journey to understand the historical Jude Thaddeus, also known as Jude, has been one of both scholarly inquiry and reverence for his role within the early Christian community. Through the sparse but significant mentions in the New Testament and the discovery of artifacts like the ossuary inscribed with "Judas Thaddaeus," we catch glimpses of a man who walked alongside Jesus, carrying out his mission with devotion and loyalty. While the biblical accounts offer limited details about Jude's life and ministry, they provide enough evidence to affirm his existence and significance as one of the twelve apostles. The various names attributed to him, from "Judas of James" to "brother of James" and "brother of Jesus," illuminate his familial and communal ties within the early Christian context.
By delving into the linguistic nuances of his name and the cultural backdrop of first-century Galilee, we gain a deeper appreciation for Jude's identity and his place within the broader narrative of salvation history. His name, Yehudah, meaning "praised," echoes the legacy of Israel's tribe of Judah, hinting at his role in proclaiming the praises of God through his ministry. As we navigate the complexities of historical interpretation and religious tradition, we must approach Jude's story with respect and discernment. Whether we refer to him as Jude, Judas Thaddaeus, or by any other designation, what remains undeniable is his dedication to the teachings of Jesus and his steadfast commitment to spreading the message of love and redemption. In reading the letter of Jude, we encounter not just a historical figure but a faithful brother and apostle whose words continue to resonate with believers across the ages. His enduring legacy serves as a reminder of the transformative power of faith and the enduring impact of those who walk in the footsteps of Christ.
Prayer
Blessed are you, LORD our God, King of the universe; that as your apostle Jude was faithful and zealous in his mission, so we may with ardent devotion make known the love and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Messiah, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Bibliography
The Book of Common Prayer. Huntington Beach, CA: Anglican Liturgy Press, 2019. p. 633. http://bcp2019.anglicanchurch.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/BCP2019.pdf.
Evans, Craig A. Jesus, and the Ossuaries. Waco: Baylor Univ. Press, 2003. p. 77.
Nelson, Ryan. "Who Was Jude the Apostle? The Beginner's Guide." Bellingham, WA: OverviewBible, 2019. https://overviewbible.com/jude-the-apostle.
Prausnitz, Max, and Levi Yizhaq Rahmani. "Jewish Burial Caves of the Early Second Century CE at Kfar Baruch." Me'eretz Kishon: The Book of the Emek. Tel Adashim, Israel: Kishon County Council, 1967. pp. 309–12.
Rahmani, L. Y. A Catalogue of Jewish Ossuaries in the Collections of the State of Israel. Jerusalem: Israel Antiquities Authority, 1994.
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