THE TWELVE APOSTLES-THADDEUS

Jude was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He is generally identified with Thaddeus, and is also variously called Jude of James, Jude Thaddaeus, Judas Thaddaeus or Lebbaeus. The Betrayer, The Traitor, The Son of Perdition. Jesus said of him that “it would have been better if he had never been born.” He may have been named for a well-known Jewish hero at that time--Judas Maccabeus. He was probably from the tribe of Judah and the only disciple from Judea. His father was Simon from the village of Kerioth. One of the most important things to note about Judas is that no one ever suspected that he was a phony. In fact, they trusted him so much he was the treasurer of the Twelve. At the last Passover, he had the position of honor at the table.