Jude Thaddeus

the other Judas of the Twelve

Who was Jude Thaddeus?

He was one of the Twelve: Matthew and Mark call him Thaddeus. Tradition identifies him with Luke’s Judas “of James.” Matthew 10:3; Luke 6:16
The Gospel of John tells that a Judas, “not the Iscariot,” asked Jesus a question at the Last Supper. Tradition says it was he. John 14:22

No verse says that Thaddeus and Luke’s Judas “of James” are the same person. Tradition explains it by comparing the lists of the Twelve. The Douay-Rheims reads “Jude, the brother of James”; the original says only “Judas of James.” Tradition also teaches that the Judas at the Last Supper is Thaddeus. The verse only says “Judas, not the Iscariot.” And the note in the U.S. bishops’ Bible says it could be Thomas.

The name: “Judas” comes from Judah, which in Hebrew means “praised.” The meaning of “Thaddeus” is not certain: perhaps it comes from the Aramaic word for “breast,” and would mean “great-hearted.” Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “Judas Iscariot”; Benedict XVI, general audience of October 11, 2006
Also called: Thaddeus Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18 · Judas of James (Tradition identifies them) Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13 · “Judas, not the Iscariot” (according to Tradition) John 14:22
Feast day: October 28: Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles

What the Bible says

Matthew 10:3; Luke 6:16

James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the publican, and James the son of Alpheus, and Thaddeus,

John 14:22

Judas saith to him, not the Iscariot: Lord, how is it, that thou wilt manifest thyself to us, and not to the world?

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.

The path of Jude Thaddeus

With Jesus. Jesus chose him as one of the Twelve. Matthew and Mark call him Thaddeus; according to Tradition, he is Luke’s Judas of James. Luke 6:13, 16; Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18
With Jesus. Jesus sent the Twelve out two by two. They preached and healed many sick people. Mark 6:7, 12-13
With Jesus. Tradition says he is the “Judas, not the Iscariot” of the Last Supper. He asked Jesus why he would reveal himself to them and not to the world. John 14:22
With Jesus. Jesus answered that he and the Father would come and dwell in whoever loves him and keeps his word. John 14:23
With Jesus. On the night of the arrest, all the disciples left Jesus alone and ran away. Matthew 26:56
Afterward. After the Ascension, he prayed in Jerusalem with the apostles, with Mary, and with some women. Acts 1:13-14
Afterward. According to Tradition: According to tradition, he preached with Saint Simon in Persia, and both of them died martyrs there. Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “St. Simon the Apostle”; Vatican News, “Sts. Simon and Jude (Taddeo), Apostles”
Afterward. According to Tradition: His relics are kept in Saint Peter’s Basilica, at the Vatican. Vatican News, “Sts. Simon and Jude (Taddeo), Apostles”

Words of Jude Thaddeus

“Lord, how is it, that thou wilt manifest thyself to us, and not to the world?” John 14:22

At the Last Supper. The Gospel calls him “Judas, not the Iscariot”; Tradition says it is he.

Not to be confused with

Judas Iscariot: They are two different apostles. Luke names both of them in the same list. John speaks of a “Judas, not the Iscariot,” who could be this one. Luke 6:16; John 14:22
Among the relatives whom the Bible calls brothers of Jesus, there is a Judas. It is not known for certain whether he is the apostle. Matthew 13:55; Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “Epistle of St. Jude”

In the Church today

Feast day: October 28, Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles (feast). General Roman Calendar

Patron of: Popular devotion: the saint of difficult and desperate causes, much loved in Mexico Desde la Fe (Archdiocese of Mexico), “¿Quién es San Judas Tadeo? Esta es su verdadera historia,” October 16, 2022

In art, recognized by: A medallion on his chest with the face of Jesus Desde la Fe (Archdiocese of Mexico), “¿Quién es San Judas Tadeo? Esta es su verdadera historia,” October 16, 2022

Jude Thaddeus in art

What people ask

Is Saint Jude Thaddeus the Judas who betrayed Jesus?

No. They are two different apostles: Luke names both of them in the list of the Twelve. Luke 6:16; John 14:22

Why is he the saint of difficult causes?

It is a popular devotion, not something from the Bible. It spread in the United States after 1929, and in Mexico it grew a great deal from the 1980s on. Desde la Fe (Archdiocese of Mexico), “¿Quién es San Judas Tadeo? Esta es su verdadera historia,” October 16, 2022

Does Saint Jude work the miracles?

The Church teaches that we can ask the saints to intercede for us. It is God who grants miracles. Catechism 2683; Desde la Fe (Archdiocese of Mexico), “¿Quién es San Judas Tadeo? Esta es su verdadera historia,” October 16, 2022

Why is he honored on the 28th?

His feast is on October 28, together with Saint Simon. Many devotees also visit him on the 28th of every month. General Roman Calendar; Desde la Fe (Archdiocese of Mexico), “¿Por qué se venera a san Judas Tadeo en el templo de san Hipólito?,” August 1, 2024

Did he write the Letter of Jude?

Tradition says yes. Its author introduces himself as “Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James.” Jude 1:1; Benedict XVI, general audience of October 11, 2006

Little known According to Tradition, his only words in the Gospels are the question he asked at the Last Supper. John 14:22; Benedict XVI, general audience of October 11, 2006…

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Who Jude Thaddeus is connected to

Jesus · chose him

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All the people of the Bible · The Twelve Apostles · Women of the Bible

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