The Apostolic Age · AD 4–70
Judas son of James (Thaddaeus)
d. c. 65 (trad., Persia) · Apostle of the Twelve · Galilee → Syria & Persia (trad.)
The Apostolic Age
Who Judas son of James (Thaddaeus) was
“Judas, not Iscariot,” as John is careful to say — called Thaddaeus in Mark and Matthew’s lists, “Judas of James” in Luke’s. His one recorded sentence is a question at the Last Supper: “Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?” Eastern tradition entwines him with the evangelization of Edessa (where Eusebius’s Abgar legend names a Thaddaeus of the Seventy) and sends him with Simon the Zealot to Persia and martyrdom. Distinct from Jude the Lord’s brother, author of the epistle, though the traditions blurred early.
Common questions
When did Judas son die?
Judas son of James (Thaddaeus) is dated d. c. 65 (trad., Persia) in the archive, which places Judas son in the Apostolic Age (AD 4–70). The dating is traditional and approximate; the archive marks it as uncertain rather than fixing a year the sources do not give.
Which early sources mention Judas son?
Judas son of James (Thaddaeus) is named in 3 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Luke the Evangelist, John and The Hieronymian compilers. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Judas son from?
The archive associates Judas son of James (Thaddaeus) with Galilee, Syria & Persia (trad.). The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.
Who were Judas son’s contemporaries?
The archive links Judas son of James (Thaddaeus) to 5 other figures, including Simon the Zealot, Jude, the Brother of the Lord, James, son of Alphaeus and Thaddaeus of Edessa (Addai). Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.
Scripture record
Primary-source mentions (3)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Luke 6:16
c. AD 60And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.Luke the Evangelist · read ↗
John 14:22
c. AD 95Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?John · read ↗
Martyrologium Hieronymianum (feast of Jude, with Simon)
c. AD 450Connected in the archive
People
- Simon the Zealot
- Jude, the Brother of the Lord
- James, son of Alphaeus
- Thaddaeus of Edessa (Addai)
- Mar Mari
Events in this lifetime
- AD 30 · Crucifixion, Resurrection and Pentecost, AD 30–33
- AD 44 · Persecution under Herod Agrippa I, AD 44
- AD 49 · The Council of Jerusalem, AD 49
- AD 57 · Paul writes Romans, AD 57
- AD 62 · James the Just stoned, AD 62
- AD 64 · The Great Fire and Nero’s persecution, AD 64
Place
Places served
The 10 places the sources put Judas son, in the order the record moves through them. This is what the sources attest, not a reconstructed route. Every stop here is marked with the company: the source places this figure’s company there rather than naming the figure at it.
- 1GalileeWith him through the towns of Galileewith the companyMark 1:39; Matthew 4:23
- 2NazarethCame into his own country, and his disciples followed himwith the companyMark 6:1
- 3CapernaumThe house at Capernaum, where he taught the Twelvewith the companyMark 9:33
- 4BethsaidaWithdrew there with the Twelve; the five thousand fedwith the companyLuke 9:10
- 5TyreWithdrew into its borders; the disciples came to himwith the companyMark 7:24; Matthew 15:23
- 6SidonReturned by Sidon to the sea of Galileewith the companyMark 7:31
- 7Caesarea PhilippiOn the road he asked the disciples who men said he waswith the companyMark 8:27
- 8JerichoWent out of Jericho with his discipleswith the companyMark 10:46
- 9BethanyLodged there with the Twelve through Passion weekwith the companyMark 11:11–12
- 10JerusalemEntered the temple with the Twelve; the upper roomwith the companyMark 11:11; 14:17