Expert: Dean Gade - 7/9/2006

Question
Dean
I have always thought it odd that the Disciples have "English" names familiar to us from, say, Elizabethan times onwards. Surely these names are not literal translations from the original texts? Where do they come from?

Many thanks for your time and expertise.

Answer
Actually, most of the names were just transliterated into English from the Greek and slightly changed.
Jacob was different until King James, who authorized the KJV, wanted his name in the Bible.

Here is the listing of the apostles:

Matt 10:2-4

2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
(from New International Version)



And here are the transliterated names.


Simon Pétros
 

Andréas


Iákoobos


Iooánnees   
       

Fílippos


Bartholomaíos


Thoomás
  

Maththaíos  


Iákoob     
                                                                Thaddaeus                                                                                                                                         
Símoon    
  

Ioúdas