This might not be a fun fact but it's definitely interesting and should be known.  A while ago I was reading a FB thread and I can't remember what the original post was about but it must have been faith-based because someone commented that the Bible was not to be believed BECAUSE of the Disciples names.  He said something like "come on John, Peter Matthew - those names aren't used over there - the Bible is totally made up and fake."  No one in love gently told him the truth.  And I think this goes to the state of the current Christian.  The Bible says we must always be ready to give an answer for our hope and that we must do it in a gentle and respectful way (1 Peter 4:15-16). 

Questions like this one can be an opportunity if we are equipped to deal with them.  So here is the list of the disciples with their corresponding Hebrew names:

The 12 Disciples from Luke 6: 13-16

Simon Peter – Shimon
Andrew – Andreas (Greek name)
James – Yakov
John – Yochanan
Philip – Filippos (Greek name)
Bartholomew – Bartalmai
Matthew – Mattityahu
Thomas – Tau’ma 
James – Yakov 
Simon the Zealot – Shimon 
Judas (also called Thaddeus Matthew 10:3) – Yehuda 
Judas Iscariot – Yehuda 

And of course, Jesus’ name is Yeshua. 

A lot of non-Christians believe they know the Bible even if they've never picked one up.  It's important to gently and respectfully remind them that when the Bible was translated into English that it also included a lot of names, even Jesus himself.  When Jesus walked this earth he didn't go by Jesus but was called Yeshua. 

And that's your fun and interesting fact for this week! 🙂

Your Sister in Christ,

Angela

Angela Grover
Author, It's Time to Fight
Founder of Sanctification Day By Day