Ref: Mt 10:3, Mk 3:18, Lk 6:16, Jn 14:22, Acts 1:13
Judas was the son of James who is also identified as Thaddaeus or Labbaeus Thaddaeus. Labbaeus (only found in Matthew 10:3) potentially comes from the Hebrew word for heart (LeB) whereas Thaddaeus potentially comes from the Hebrew word TaDaD meaning to love. Comparing the lists of the 12 Thaddaeus is clearly the same as Judas the son of James. This Judas is differentiated from Judas Iscariot and is identified in the book of John as asking Jesus a question at the last supper (John 14:19-24). Jesus in his discourse tells the disciples that the world will no longer see him but that they will see him, for as he lives they will live also. Understandably confused Judas asks “Lord how is it that you will reveal yourself to us and not the world?” What this shows us is Judas’ expectation of the Messiah being revealed in glory to the nations. If Jesus will come to set up the Kingdom how will only the disciples see him? In contrast Jesus is speaking not of the end of the age but his imminent death and resurrection. Though Jesus had three times told his disciples that he would suffer and die, this still doesn’t fit in with their expectation of the Messiah. The Messiah would indeed come in glory at the end of the age but Judas like the other disciples struggled to grasp what Jesus was saying. Jesus’ answer to Judas and all the disciples alike, was that those who love him will keep his word and God the Father will love them. Moreover the Father and Son will come and make their dwelling with them. In contrast those who do not love Jesus will not keep his word. What Jesus is saying is that the disciples will be witnesses of the resurrection and through the finished work of Christ, they will enjoy fellowship with the Father and the Son by the Holy Spirit. Though the world will hear what happened, it is only those who love Jesus and follow him, that will experience his life and salvation. The disciples in turn are witnesses to Jesus and are responsible for inviting others into fellowship with God.
Other than the sole question in John’s gospel, Judas only appears in the 4 lists of the disciples in the Gospels and Acts. This single line of dialogue adds slightly more to the character of Judas whereas Simon the Zealot and James son of Alphaeus are silent in the New Testament. Judas son of James was a witness to the resurrection, was amongst the believers at Pentecost and played a key role in the founding of the early church. Though there are many later legends of his ministry and death these are unreliable. Judas was a disciple that wasn’t afraid to ask questions. He wrestled with what he wanted from God versus what God wanted to reveal about himself. Yet for all his questions and struggles, he loved Jesus and devoted himself to following him.