TWELVE COMMON MEN
James, son of Alphaeus
Simon, the Zealot
Judas Thaddaeus Lebbaeus
The Least Known Apostles
INTRODUCTION
• The Apostles were men who were willing to
give up everything to follow Christ (Lk 18:28)
• The Gospel writers honestly portrayed their
weaknesses along with their strengths
• They are never shown as major role players
– When they are emphasized it is often to
highlight their doubt, disbelief or confusion
– Their heroism played out after Jesus went
back to heaven and sent the Holy Spirit to
empower them
James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles
INTRODUCTION
• The early growth of the church stands as their
true legacy of greatness
• It is the durability of their faith that sets these
men apart
– John 6:66-69 demonstrates this durability
• The single most heroic thing about them is
that they gave up all to follow Christ
James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles
JAMES, son of Alpaheus
• James the son of Alphaeus (Mk 3:18)
– Matthew is also called the son of Alphaeus (Mk
2:14), it is possible that he and James were
brothers, though never called brothers
• May be James the Less, the brother of Joses
and son of Mary (Mk 15:40)
– In Jn. 19:25 this Mary is called the wife of
Clopas
• Clopas could be another name of Alphaeus
• Or Alphaeus has died, and Clopas is her second
husband
– Clopas is never identified as the father of James
so this is a better possibility
• Or James the Less is not James the son of
Alphaeus
James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles
JAMES, son of Alpaheus
• He was not James the son of Zebedee
• He was not James the Lord’s brother
• Probably not the writer of the NT book of James
– Usually attributed to James, the Lord’s brother
• We have no record of his words or deeds
– He is totally obscure
• This may be the reason for the name “the Less”, if that
James is the son of Alphaeus
– One meaning is “least”
– Another meaning is “short”, and so may only be a
reference to his physical size
– A third meaning is “younger or youngest”
• He may have been younger than the other James or
he may have been the youngest apostle
James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles
JAMES, son of Alpaheus
• If we know so little about him, can we learn
anything from his being chosen?
– Heb 11:33-40
• Many who labor in obscurity are still known to
God for their faithfulness
• What became of James the son of Alphaeus?
– Unknown
• Many traditions have confused him with one of
the other James (usually the Lord’s brother)
• Some traditions have him beaten to death with
clubs in Jerusalem at 94 years old
– Would make him the second longest surviving
apostle
James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles
SIMON THE ZEALOT
• This Simon was also named
– "the Cananite“ or “Cananean” (Mt 10:4; Mk
3:18)
– "Zelotes“ or “the Zealot” (Lk 6:15; Ac 1:13)
• What was the meaning of Cananite?
– Word only found in the 2 references to Simon
– Probably a reference to his hometown, Cana
– Probably not a reference to the Canaanites of
the OT
James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles
SIMON THE ZEALOT
• What were Zealots?
– The Zealots were a political faction
• Originated as “freedom fighters” since the time
of Roman occupation (64BC)
• At the time of Jesus birth headed by Judas of
Galilee, who "in the days of the enrollment" (Ac
5:37) bitterly opposed the threatened increase
of taxation at the census of Quirinius
• Sought to hasten by the sword the fulfillment of
Messianic prophecy (and hence, they thought,
freedom from Rome)
James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles
SIMON THE ZEALOT
• Zealots sought to overthrow Romans by all
means
– Romans called them “Sicarii” meaning
“Knives”
• They practiced terrorism and acts of violence
and assassination
• They interpreted the Law literally and believed
only God had the right to rule over the Jews
• They believed their assassination of Roman
soldiers and political leaders was God’s work
(hence “Zealots”)
• To them paying tribute to a pagan king was
treason against the one true God
• Barabbas may have been a Zealot (Mk 15:7)
•
James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles
SIMON THE ZEALOT
• Imagine the initial meeting between Simon
and Matthew )the tax collector)
• Jesus knew he could channel Simon’s
loyalty, passion, courage and zeal for His
purposes
• We have no reliable record of Simon beyond
the New Testament
– Tradition has him bringing the gospel to Britain and
being crucified in AD 74
James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles
JUDAS THADDAEUS LEBBAEUS
• Lk 6:16; Ac 1:13 - "son of James“
– Could be "brother of James“ but less likely
• Lk 6:14 uses “brother” specifically when meant
• Lk 6:15 uses “of Alphaeus” to name father
• Catholics have wanted to identify him (as well as
James) as the half-brothers of Jesus
– But Jn 7:2-5 makes clear Jesus’ brothers were not among
His disciples during His lifetime
• The author of Jude (Jude 1:1) is “brother of James”
– But no reason to insist the author was the apostle Judas
– Never calls himself an apostle
– Could have been the half-brother of Jesus, and therefore
brother of James the writer of that book
James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles
JUDAS THADDAEUS LEBBAEUS
• He is also called "Thaddaeus" or "Lebbaeus
whose surname was Thaddaeus" (Mt 10:3; Mk
3:18)
– Judas was a Hebrew name, “Judah, he shall
be praised”
– Thaddeus was a Greek name “large-hearted,
courageous”
– Lebbaeus was an Aramaic name “a man of
heart”
James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles
JUDAS THADDAEUS LEBBAEUS
• Jn 14:19-24
– The only incident recorded of this Judas
– Judas questions the Lord concerning why only the
Apostles will receive the manifestation of Christ and
not the world
• Understood everyone needed to know Christ
• A good-hearted honest question from a pious believing
disciple
– He obviously still expected an earthly kingdom
– Jesus’ answer – Christ will manifest Himself to anyone
who loves Him
• Jesus would win the world one heart at a time
• The kingdom resides in the heart of every believer
James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles
JUDAS THADDAEUS LEBBAEUS
• What became of Judas?
– Again we don’t know for certain
• Tradition says Judas preached in Turkey, the
kingdom of Edessa where he was shot to death
with arrows around AD 72
– Other traditions say he was crucified
• Once again the case of God using a perfectly
ordinary person in remarkable ways
James, Simon, Judas – The Least Known Apostles
Conclusion
• Three more common men
– Men from different backgrounds
– All proved to be useful to the Lord
• We don’t have to be the most notable disciple
to be useful
– Our reward comes from God, not from
notoriety among brethren or the world
– Let us each be content doing what we can in
service to the Lord (Mt 10:40-42)