Jude’s Missionary Journeys

The Apostle Jude was of the tribe of Judah, as were kings David and Solomon. Born in Nazareth, he was the son of Joseph the betrothed and his first wife Salome. He was, therefore, the stepbrother of Jesus in the flesh.

He was also known as Thaddaeus, Judas, Juda, Judah and Lebbaeus. When Jude wrote his epistle by the same name, he began by introducing himself as, “Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James” [Jude 1:1].

John mentions in his Gospel the fact that some of Jesus’ brothers did not believe at first. Out of familial jealousy and foolishness of heart, Jude and the others did not recognize him as the incarnate Lord of Glory from the beginning. But, there is another reason too. Jude and the others, except for James, showed a material lack of brotherly love towards the Lord.

When Joseph, after returning from Egypt, began to divide his land among his children born of his first wife, he also wished to give a portion to the Lord Jesus who was born supernaturally and without corruption of the Virgin Mary, who was then but a child herself aged 12.

But three of Joseph’s sons (Joses, Simon & Jude) did not wish Jesus to have a share, as he was born of another mother. Only the fourth son, the saintly “James the Just”, accepted him as co-owner of his own portion. Hence was James afterward called the “Brother of the Lord.” Conscious of his former sins of lack of faith and brotherly love, Jude did not dare to call himself the brother of Jesus, but only the brother of James.

His death is much debated, but he was possibly martyred in Edessa in 65 AD.

Some scholars believe Jude was not the son of Joseph, but of Alphaeus, which would throw everything out of whack. To be consistent, I am using the relationships defined in the Greek Orthodox Church as mentioned in the introduction. This is also supported in the bible:

“Is this not the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” [Matt 13:55-56, Mark 6:3]

Journey

Jerusalem: Begins

Galilee

Idumea

Syria

Arabia

Persia: From whence he wrote the epistle of Jude.

Mesopotamia

Armenia

Edessa: The home of King Abgar. There he completed the work of the apostle Thaddaeus of the 70 who had come there very early on.