Thaddeus, one of the twelve apostles, is often indistinguishable from Thaddeus of Edessa, whom Eastern Christianity considers as one of the Seventy disciples. [23][24]
So who was Thaddeus, and why is his story worth knowing? What Do We Know about Thaddeus from the Bible? In both Matthew and Mark’s gospels, he is referred to as “Thaddeus,” whereas in Luke and John’s gospels, as well as the book of Acts (written by Luke), he is called “Judas, the son of James.”
We know Thaddeus, like the other disciples, left his former life to follow and serve Jesus Christ faithfully, enduring hardship and persecution. Some scholars believe Thaddeus wrote the book of Jude, although the more widely accepted view is that Jude, the half-brother of Jesus, penned the book.
St. Jude Painting of St. Jude as the patron saint of impossible causes, in the sacristy of the church of Piccola Casa di San Giuda Taddeo (“Little House of St. Jude Thaddeus”), Rome.
Thaddeus was one of the Twelve Apostles named in the Gospels-a faithful follower of Jesus distinguished from Judas Iscariot. His few explicit appearances in Scripture show a disciple who actively sought clarity on Christ’s message and later served in missionary work, as indicated by early Christian tradition.
On Oct. 28, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Jude, also known as Thaddeus, one of Jesus’ 12 apostles. He is believed to have written the Letter of Jude, one of the shortest books of the Bible, and is thought to have been martyred in Beirut around 65 A.D.
St. Jude day: Why is St. Jude Thaddeus the patron saint of lost causes?