Lives of Scripture

Judas appears in the lists of the twelve apostles under two names: Matthew and Mark call him Thaddaeus, while Luke and Acts call him "Judas the son of James" (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13) -- understood by nearly all interpreters as one apostle known by both names. His one recorded moment comes at the Last Supper, where John is careful to identify him as "Judas (not Iscariot)" to avoid confusion with the betrayer. As Jesus spoke of disclosing Himself to His disciples, Judas asked, "Lord, what then has happened that You are going to disclose Yourself to us and not to the world?" (John 14:22). Jesus' answer did not directly resolve the question but redirected it toward love and obedience: "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him" (14:23) -- teaching that God's self-revelation is relational, given to those who love and obey Him, not a public spectacle for the world at large. Judas is listed again among the apostles gathered in the upper room after the ascension, devoting themselves to prayer while awaiting the Spirit (Acts 1:13-14). Though Scripture records little else about him individually, his honest question drew out one of Jesus' richest statements on what it means for God to dwell with His people.