Bible Problem: Why Do Some of the 12 Apostles of Jesus Have Different Names?
Problem:
Matthew Chapter 10 verses 2 through 4 read:
2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
However, Luke chapter 6 verses 14 through 16 say:
14 Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
15 Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,
16 And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.
There are other places in the Gospels which give other names for some of the 12 apostles.
So what are their names? Or are there errors in the text?
Solution:
Most people in the world have more than one name. Many people in the United States have a first name, a middle name, and a last name. Women in Latin America can have five names.
The apostles had more than one name as well. Sometimes they were referred to by their Greek name, at other times their Hebrew name was used.
Here are the Names of the 12 Apostles:
Simon Peter, or Cephas
Andrew, brother of Peter
James the Elder (son of Zebedee), or James the Greater
John, brother of James the Elder, they were called Boanerges, meaning Sons of Thunder
Philip
Bartholomew or Nathanael
Thomas Didymus
Matthew or Levi, the publican or tax collector
James (the son of Alphaeus), James the Younger or James the Lesser, brother of Jude
Judas, Jude, Thaddaeus or Lebbeus (the son of Alphaeus), brother of James the Younger
Simon Zelotes, the Zealot or the Canaanite
Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Jesus Christ
After Judas Iscariot killed himself Matthias took his place.