Judas Ἰούδας

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A Christian living on Straight Street in Damascus

Who is Judas in the Bible?

Judas was a Christian living on Straight Street in Damascus who provided lodging for believers in the early church (Acts 9:11). He is mentioned in the account of Saul's conversion, when the Lord instructed Ananias in a vision to find Saul at Judas' house after Saul's encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:8-11). Though little is known about him beyond this brief mention, Judas' home on Straight Street served as a sanctuary for disciples and represents the role that ordinary believers played in supporting the infant Christian community by opening their homes to fellow followers of Christ.

Biography

Judas is mentioned in Act.9.11 as a Christian living on Straight Street in Damascus. The context of the passage is Saul's (later known as Paul) conversion and his subsequent visit to Damascus (Act.9.1-19).

After Saul's encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, he was blinded and led into the city (Act.9.8). In a vision, the Lord instructed Ananias, a disciple in Damascus, to go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and find Saul (Act.9.11).

The mention of Judas' house on Straight Street suggests that he was a Christian who provided lodging for believers visiting or living in Damascus. Straight Street was a well-known thoroughfare in the city, and Judas' house likely served as a meeting place for the early Christian community there.

No further information is provided about Judas' background, occupation, or role in the church. His brief mention in the narrative highlights the hospitality and support of the early Christian community during the time of Saul's conversion and early ministry.

In Scripture

1 biblical book ; 1 with study content
Acts 1 verse
  • Acts 9:11

    "“Get up!” the Lord told him. “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying."

    Study Acts →

Names & Aliases

Form Language Script Transliteration Meaning
Named Greek Ἰούδας Ioúdas Judas (i.e. Jehudah), the name of ten Israelites; also of the posterity of one of them and its region