“And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. 2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.” (Matthew 10:1–4 ESV)
We continue our profile of the Twelve Apostles. Today’s study concerns the Apostle James, the Son of Alphaeus and Thaddaeus.
James is the ninth in the roster of Jesus apostles. He also is found in all four lists of Jesus’ twelve disciples (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13). It is possible that James, son of Alphaeus, is also called James the less/younger (Mark 15:40).
In church history, James has often in church history been called “James the Less” to distinguish him from James, son of Zebedee, or James “the Great”. AS noted in our study of Matthew/Levi, James may have been the brother of Levi (or Matthew), who is also called a son of Alphaeus in Mark 2:14.
Thaddaeus is the tenth apostle of Jesus. He also is found in all four lists of Jesus’ twelve disciples (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13). However, Luke refers to him, not only in his Gospel but also in Acts, as Judas, Son of James (not Iscariot). It is also possible that his additional name is Labbaeus.
“Thaddaeus’ is probably derived from Aram. taḏ, meaning the female breast, and suggests warmth of character and almost feminine devotedness. ‘Lebbaeus’ comes from Heb. lēḇ, ‘heart’, and it may therefore be an explanation of the other name. Attempts have been made to derive ‘Thaddaeus’ from ‘Judah’ and ‘Lebbaeus’ from ‘Levi’, explains the New Bible Dictionary.
There is no doubt that Thaddaeus is to be identified with ‘Judas of James.’ The name ‘Judas’ would not have been popular following Judas Iscariot’s betrayal. This may be why the name is not found in Matthew and Mark’s Gospels.
Most believers in Jesus Christ are not well known, like Peter, James and John. We serve in relative obscurity like James the Son of Alphaeus and Thaddaeus. That is okay. The Lord knows who are His and He calls us to serve when, how, where and to whom He chooses. Let us all take comfort in the Lord’s purposeful sovereignty.
Soli deo Gloria!
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