1. Or better, "Judas of James," since "brother" is not found in the Greek, as indicated by italics in the KJV ( Acts 1:13). Better rendered, "Judas, son of James," as indicated by this typical Greek idiom. 2. It is believed that this reference as "brother" was glossed in to identify him as the writer of the General Epistle Of Jude found in our New Testament. (Jude 1) 3. Not to be confused with Judas Iscariot, as so designated in each contextual occurrence, examples: Jn.12:4; 13:2,26,29. 4. Also designated Thaddaeus in Mark ( 3:18) and Matthew ( 10:3), Judas by Luke in both his writings: ( Lk.6:16; Acts 1:13). Also, Lebbaeus (though missing in most MSS) by Matthew is ( 10:3) thought to be another name for the same surname. Lebbaeus from Hebrew & Aramaic: Leb meaning "heart" and Thad from Aramaic, meaning, "mother's breast," both carrying the implication of a "dear child." 5. It is easy to see how this Judas may have dropped this usage after the other's betrayal and took up one of his other commonly held names. (As was custom in that day to have more than one name for specific purposes previously discussed.) Hence, by the time of the Gospel writings, an inclusion of those names so used. 6. Whatever the case, it has been commonly held from early on that Thaddaeus, Lebbaeus, and Judas are one in the same person. Early church historian, Jerome, called him Trinomius, meaning "man with 3 names." 7. Other than his name, there is nothing more revealed of him in the New Testament except John's account of his inquiry of Jesus concerning how Jesus would manifest Himself to them after His departure from Earth. ( Jn.14:22) Judas likely expected a public manifestation of His identity and Kingdom before the entire world, but Jesus clearly will continue to reveal Himself only to the one who receives Him, as has been His method from the outset.(Compare Jn.2:24 & 14:23.) 8. A well favored tradition exists that connects Thaddaeus with a letter from Jesus to Abgarus, king of Edessa, a city of Northern Mesopotamia. This king, desiring to be healed from a disease, and after hearing of Jesus' works and the Jews' desire to kill Him, had written to Jesus to inform Him of his belief in Him and to offer Him a safe haven in his country and city. Jesus replies, commending him of his faith, but declines, that His mission be fulfilled in Jerusalem for which the Father had sent Him, promising a disciple to be sent after His departure back to Heaven. It is said that Thomas sent Thaddaeus there after Jesus' ascension, where he lived, healing the king and preaching the gospel to many. 9. Tradition also reports him preaching in other places as well, and finally killed by archers in Ararat.