"Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said…" (John 14:22)
Yes, that’s literally how the apostle Thaddeus is remembered. Poor guy couldn’t even get a mention without clarification: "Judas… no, not THAT Judas!"
Welcome to the incredibly important yet tragically obscure world of the Apostle Thaddeus, a.k.a. Judas-not-Iscariot. He’s also known as Lebbaeus, which couldn’t be easy to spell, even in Aramaic.
Thaddeus’ biblical presence is almost laughably minimal.
He’s a man of mystery, though not in the suave, James Bond way. Instead, Thaddeus’s mystery lies mostly in his confusing list of aliases.
Jerome, the famed fourth-century Bible scholar, humorously dubbed him “Trinomious” (which sounds suspiciously like a Marvel superhero).
He’s the guy with many names, showing up in the Bible as:
1. Thaddeus (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18)
2. Lebbaeus (Matthew 10:3 KJV)
3. Judas (not Iscariot) (John 14:22)
Imagine him introducing himself at parties. "Hi, I’m Thaddeus. Well, actually Lebbaeus. Um, actually, Judas. No! Not THAT Judas…"
The more you dive into the original language, the more you realize that Thaddeus’ nicknames are surprisingly sweet.
"Lebbaeus" translates roughly to "heart-child," and "Thaddeus" to "breast-child."
Biblical scholars suggest these were terms of affection, hinting that he may have been a gentle and tender-hearted man.
So, picture him: soft-spoken, compassionate, possibly the guy who cried during inspirational speeches, or the one you’d ask for comfort after Peter insulted you.
Thaddeus has precisely one recorded line in Scripture. It's the Last Supper, the night before the cross. The tension is thick. Jesus is explaining profound spiritual truths about death, resurrection, and the coming of the Holy Spirit.
And then, breaking into this intimate, heavy moment, we get Thaddeus piping up:
"Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?" (John 14:22, NLT)
It’s a wonderfully honest and very human moment. Thaddeus, like many others, expected a grand spectacle. He wanted Jesus to go viral.
Jesus' gentle response is simple and profound:
"Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them" (John 14:23).
In other words, Jesus says: "Thaddeus, I don't come in spectacle, I come through intimacy, obedience, and relationship."
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Despite being overshadowed by apostles like Peter, John, and even Judas Iscariot (who's remembered, unfortunately, far more vividly), Thaddeus stayed faithful.
Church history tells us that after Pentecost, he traveled north, founding a church in Edessa (modern-day Turkey). Traditions tell us he performed miracles, preached passionately, and ultimately faced martyrdom (possibly clubbed or crucified).
He may not have gotten front-page biblical press, but he carried the Gospel faithfully into obscurity.
Thaddeus reminds us of three profound truths:
1. Obscurity doesn’t equal insignificance. Your life might never trend on social media. Maybe you’re not flashy or charismatic. But Jesus’ kingdom isn’t measured in likes or followers; it’s measured in faithfulness.
2. Jesus values intimacy over spectacle. Christ is less interested in global applause than in individual hearts transformed by love and obedience.
3. Gentleness is strength. The nicknames “heart-child” and "breast-child” suggest a tender nature. Thaddeus’ gentle heart didn’t make him weak; it made him approachable and authentic—a quality desperately needed in the kingdom.
Today, ask yourself:
Do I crave spectacle, or do I value quiet intimacy with Christ?
Am I faithful even when unseen, unrecognized, or unnoticed?
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