“JUDASES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT”

By Dr. Hoyt W. Allen, Jr.

At least six men in the New Testament shared the same name.

1. Judas of Galilee (Acts 5:37). In the days of the census (Luke 2:2), he led a revolution against Rome. He was killed, and his followers were dispersed. According to the Jewish historian Josephus, Judas founded a religious group whose main belief was that their only ruler was God.

2. One of the four brothers of Jesus (Matt 13:55; Mark 6:3; Judah, KJV). Some scholars believe he was the author of the Letter of Jude.

3. One of the twelve apostles of Jesus. John is careful to distinguish him from Judas Iscariot (John 14:22). He is called "Judas the son of James" (Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13). In the list of the Twelve given in Mark, instead of "Judas...of James" a Thaddaeus is mentioned (Mark 3:18). Matthew has Lebbaeus, whose nickname was Thaddaeus (Matt 10:3). He was also called Judas the Zealot. Tradition says he preached in Assyria and Persia and died a martyr in Persia.

4. A man with whom the apostle Paul lodged in Damascus after his rebirth (Acts 9:11).

5. A disciple surnamed Barsabas who belonged to the church in Jerusalem. The apostles and elders of that church chose Judas and Silas to accompany Paul and Barnabas to Antioch; together they yielded to the church in that city the decree of the Jerusalem Council about circumcision.

6. Judas Iscariot is probably the most notable of those with the name Judas. He was one of the chosen apostles of Jesus (Matt. 10:4) and served as treasurer of the apostolic band (John 13:29). He betrayed Jesus (Matt. 26:47-27:5) and then hanged himself.

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