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Thaddaeus

maleNew Testament

Meaning: “Courageous heart

One of the twelve apostles, also called Lebbaeus and "Judas (not Iscariot)," who asked Jesus why He would reveal Himself to the disciples and not the world.

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Biography

Thaddaeus — surnamed Lebbaeus in Matthew (10:3) — was one of the twelve apostles. He is the same man Luke and John call "Judas the son of James" or simply "Judas, not Iscariot" (Luke 6:16; John 14:22; Acts 1:13), carefully distinguished from the betrayer.

His one recorded question

At the Last Supper, when Jesus promised to manifest Himself to those who love Him, Thaddaeus asked, "Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?" (John 14:22). Jesus answered that the Father and Son would come and make their home with anyone who loves Him and keeps His word — a precious promise of indwelling fellowship. It is the only saying of Thaddaeus recorded in Scripture, yet it drew from Jesus a rich revelation of His relationship with His own.

Life Timeline

30 AD

Asks Jesus why He reveals Himself to the disciples, not the world

John 14:22

Themes & lessons from Thaddaeus

Biblical themes that run through the passages where Thaddaeus appears.

Apostles2×Matthew2×Philip2×Thomas2×Publicans1×

People they appear with

Matthew2×
Thomas2×
Bartholomew2×
James2×
Andrew1×
Simon the Zealot1×

Scripture Appearances

2 verses in 2 books
Matthew1 verse

Matthew 10:3

Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;

Mark1 verse

Mark 3:18

And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,

Frequently asked about Thaddaeus

Who was Thaddaeus in the Bible?

One of the twelve apostles, also called Lebbaeus and "Judas (not Iscariot)," who asked Jesus why He would reveal Himself to the disciples and not the world.

What does the name Thaddaeus mean?

The name Thaddaeus means “Courageous heart”.

What did Thaddaeus do in the Bible?

Thaddaeus served as apostle.

Where does Thaddaeus appear in the Bible?

Thaddaeus is mentioned 2 times across 2 books: Matthew, Mark.

What can we learn from Thaddaeus?

The story of Thaddaeus touches on themes of apostles, matthew, philip, thomas — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Thaddaeus's life.

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