Topical Encyclopedia Judas of James is one of the lesser-known apostles of Jesus Christ, mentioned in the New Testament. He is listed among the Twelve Apostles in the synoptic Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. The Berean Standard Bible provides the following references to Judas of James:1. Luke 6:16 : "Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor." 2. 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." In these passages, Judas of James is distinguished from Judas Iscariot, the apostle who betrayed Jesus. The designation "son of James" (Greek: Ἰούδας Ἰακώβου, Ioudas Iakobou) is used to identify him, though the exact relationship is debated. Some scholars suggest that "son of James" could also be interpreted as "brother of James," but the traditional understanding is that he is the son. Judas of James is often equated with Thaddaeus, another apostolic figure mentioned in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark. In Matthew 10:3 , he is referred to as "Thaddaeus," and in Mark 3:18 , he is called "Thaddaeus" as well. This identification is based on the harmonization of the apostolic lists, where Thaddaeus and Judas of James are considered the same person. The Gospel of John provides further insight into Judas of James, where he is referred to as "Judas (not Iscariot)" to avoid confusion with the betrayer. In John 14:22 , Judas asks Jesus, "Lord, why are You going to reveal Yourself to us and not to the world?" This question reflects his concern for the broader revelation of Jesus' mission and the establishment of His kingdom. Judas of James is also traditionally associated with the authorship of the Epistle of Jude, though this attribution is not universally accepted. The Epistle of Jude identifies its author as "Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James" (Jude 1:1). This connection is based on the similarity of names and the early church tradition that links the apostle with the epistle. In Christian tradition, Judas of James is venerated as a saint, and his feast day is celebrated on various dates in different liturgical calendars. He is often depicted in Christian art holding a club, symbolizing his martyrdom, though specific details of his death are not recorded in the New Testament. Judas of James remains a figure of interest due to his close association with Jesus and the early Christian community. His presence among the Twelve Apostles underscores the diversity and unity of those chosen by Christ to spread the Gospel message. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Judas of JamesJUDAS OF JAMES (Ioudas Iakobou): One of the twelve apostles (Luke 6:16 Acts 1:13; for etymology, etc., see JUDAS). the King James Version has the reading "brother of James," and the Revised Version (British and American) reads "son of James." The latter is to be preferred. In John 14:22 he is described as "Judas (not Iscariot)." The name corresponds with the "Thaddaeus" or "Lebbaeus whose surname was Thaddaeus" of Matthew 10:3 the King James Version and Mark 3:18 (compare THADDAEUS). The identification of Thaddaeus with Judas is generally accepted, though Ewald and others hold that they were different persons, that Thaddeus died during Christ's lifetime, and that Judas was chosen in his place (compare Bruce, Training of the Twelve, 34). If the Revised Version (British and American) is accepted as the correct rendering of Luke 6:16 and Acts 1:13, this Judas cannot be identified either with the Juda (Mark 6:3 the King James Version), Judas (Mark 6:3 the Revised Version (British and American)), or Judas (Matthew 13:55), the brother of Jesus; or with the Judas (Jude 1:1 the Revised Version margin) or Jude (Jude 1:1 the King James Version), the brother of James, whether these two latter Judases are to be regarded as the same or not. The only incident recorded of Judas of James is in John 14:22, where during Christ's address to the disciples after the last supper he put the question, "Lord, what is come to pass that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?" Library The General Epistles: James, Peter, and Judas The History of Joseph the Carpenter. The General Epistles: James, Peter, and Judas The Epistle of Judas Introduction Introduction The Moffatt Bible Introduction Editor's Preface Introduction Resources Who was Judas Iscariot? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did Judas betray Jesus? | GotQuestions.org How did Judas die? | GotQuestions.org Judas: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Judas (Jude): A Disciple Who Hosted Paul Judas (Jude): An Apostle, Probably Identical With Lebbaeus, or Thaddaeus Judas (Jude): of Galilee, Who Stirred up a Sedition Among the Jews Soon After the Birth of Jesus Judas (Jude): One of the Physical Half-Brothers of Jesus Judas (Jude): Surnamed "Barsabas": A Christian Sent to Antioch of Syria With Paul and Barnabas Judas (Jude): Surnamed "Iscariot" by his Bargaining to Betray Jesus for a Sum of Money Judas (Jude): Surnamed "Iscariot" by his Protest Against the Breaking of the Container of Ointment Judas (Jude): Surnamed "Iscariot": Betrays the Lord Jesus Judas (Jude): Surnamed "Iscariot": Chosen As an Apostle Judas (Jude): Surnamed "Iscariot": Hangs Himself Judas (Jude): Surnamed "Iscariot": His Apostasy Judas (Jude): Surnamed "Iscariot": Prophecies Concerning Judas (Jude): Surnamed "Iscariot": Returns the Money to the Rulers of the Jews Judas (Jude): Surnamed "Iscariot": The Treasurer of the Disciples Judas (Jude): The Brother of James and Probably the Writer of the Epistle of Jude Related Terms |
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