BSN: Jude the son of Joseph, the brother of Jesus and James

  • Jude was sometimes rendered as Judas, and vice versa. (Similarly, Silas and Silvanus are different forms of the same name, as are Pricilla and Prisca.)
  • Jude is the author of the NT book that bears his name, but see below that he and his brothers were initially opposed to Jesus’ ministry.
  • Jesus was the firstborn of Joseph and Mary. Jesus had at least four brothers and two sisters. Among the brothers were James and Jude. – Mt 13:55-56; Mk 6:3
  • Jesus’ family -particularly His brothers – were initially skeptical of His ministry. – Mt 12:46-50; Mk 3:20-21, 31-35; Lk 8:19-21; Jn 7:1-10
  • By the time of Jesus’ ascension into heaven, His mother and brothers had become dedicated disciples. – Acts 1:12-14
  • Jesus’ brothers came to be regarded as on a par with the apostles. – 1 Cor 9:5 (We can only say this with confidence about James and Jude because the New Testament does not tell us about how the other brothers turned out.)