Thaddaeus was one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus, consistently listed alongside James the son of Alphaeus in the apostolic records.
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Thaddaeus appears in the apostolic lists found in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark. In Matthew 10:3, he is named as one of the twelve apostles, listed alongside Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew the publican, and James the son of Alphaeus. Mark 3:18 records the same grouping, adding Andrew and Simon the Cananaean to the list. The Greek name Θαδδαῖος appears in identical form across both lists, indicating Thaddaeus's stable identity within the apostolic community. Acts 1:13 serves as an important cross-reference for both Gospel lists, further affirming Thaddaeus's standing in the early church. Although he leaves no independent record of words or deeds in the canonical Gospels, his inclusion in the core twelve apostles demonstrates that he walked, ministered, and was sent out alongside Jesus. Traditions beyond the New Testament regarding Thaddaeus lack reliable textual support, so his life remains primarily anchored in the witness of the apostolic lists. Thaddaeus's significance lies in his representation of those disciples who, though not prominently featured in the biblical narrative, were personally chosen and entrusted with mission by the Lord. As one of the twelve, he shared in the companionship with Jesus during His earthly ministry and continued to bear witness to Christ's salvation after the risen Lord's ascension—an early embodiment of the Great Commission recorded in Matthew 28:19-20.