Facts About Jude the Apostle

Jude, sometimes known as Thaddeus or Lebbeus, was the brother of James the Lesser. He was always a bit violent and militant, desiring the Jews to be the dominant people group in the world. He initially wanted Jesus to be a militaristic Messiah in order to fulfill his nationalistic dreams. Despite his early misconceptions regarding Jesus’ purpose, he was incredibly faithful. His ministry spanned from Assyria to Persia. Jude eventually became a martyr for God, with accounts of him either being shot to death with arrows or crucified. Jude’s symbol in the Catholic church is that of a ship, due to him being a fisherman.

Name: Jude

Family: James (the Lesser), Alpheus (Father), Mary (Mother)

Nicknames: Trinomious, Thaddeus, Lebbeus

  • Trinomious means “a man with three names”
  • Thaddeus was his surname

Personality:

  • Intense
  • Violent
  • Nationalistic
  • Dreamt of domination by the Jews of the world
  • Zealous
  • Passionate
  • Wanted Jesus to be a ruling King

Life before Christ:

  • Little is known about him
  • Lived in Galilee

Accomplishments:

  • Preached in Assyria and Persia
  • Asked Jesus at the Last Supper, “But Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”
  • Preached in Edessa near the Euphrates River where he healed many and brought many to Christ
  • Was a martyr for Christ

Death:

  • Was either killed by arrows at Ararat or crucified at Edessa