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Lesson #12 - The Apostle James (The Son of Alphaeus)
Series: The Fourteen ApostlesLESSON #12 – THE APOSTLE JAMES (THE SON OF ALPHAEUS)
The New Testament mentions several men named James.
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¡ James, the son of Zebedee, one of original Twelve Apostles (Mt.10:2; Mk.3:17; Lk.6:14 and Acts 1:13a).
¡ James, the brother of Jesus (Mt.13:55; Mk.6:3 and Jn.7:5), sometimes called James “the Just”.
According to Mt.13:55 & Mk.6:3, Jesus had four brothers: James, Joseph, Simon & Judas.
Jn.7:5 notes, “not even His brothers were believing in Him.”
This James also authored the NT epistle bearing his name and called himself a servant of God and the Lord... (Js.1:1).
He also became an apostle, although not one of the Twelve (1Cor.15:7; Gal.1:19; 2:9 & 12 and Acts 12:17; 15:13 & 21:18).
¡ James, the father of Thaddeus/Judas (not Iscariot)- - one of the Twelve apostles (Lk.6:16).
¡ James, the brother of Jude (Jude 1:1).
This Jude, a.k.a., Judas, may have one of Jesus' brothers (Mt.13:55). If so, two of Jesus' brothers authored NT epistles.
¡ James, the son of Alphaeus, one of Twelve (Mt.10:3; Mk.3:18; Lk.6:15 and Acts 1:13b).
¡ James “the Less” (Mk.15:40). Some argue that this James is one and the same as “the son of Alphaeus”.
WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT JAMES, THE SON OF ALPHAEUS?
~ Of all of the original twelve apostles, we probably know the least about James, the son of Alphaeus.
~ Since Matthew Levi was also called “the son of Alphaeus”, Matthew and James may have been brothers or half-brothers.
In his book, The Twelve Apostles, Ronald Brownrigg argues that Matthew Levi and James were brothers - -
both of them sons of Alphaeus (Levi/Mk.2:14) and James/Mt.10:3; Mk.3:18; Lk.6:15 and Acts 1:13b).
The alternative is that they were not related, but simply had fathers with the same name.
~ Brownrigg also puts forth the notion that Matthew and James were probably brother publicans (both tax collectors).
Since he does not provide the basis for this extrapolation we have to recognize this as mere speculation on his part.
Others, based on his being grouped with Thaddaeus, Simon & Judas, had concluded that James was a “nationalist" (zealot).
~ Mark's gospel references one called James The Less (Mk.15:40).
Many scholars argue that James the son of Alphaeus and James the Less both refer to the same man.
The term, “the less” can be translated: “the short” (stature) … “the younger” (age) … or “the minor” (rank).
Two other more prominent apostles worn the name James (James the son of Zebedee and James the brother of the Lord).
This has lead some to conclude that “the less” is likely a description of rank or status.
~ All combined, Matthew, Mark, Luke & John speak of five women named Mary at the crucifixion and tomb of Jesus:
Mary Magdalene (Mt.28:1a) … Mary the mother of James (Mk.16:1 & Lk.24:10) … Mary the mother of Jesus (Jn.19:25) …
The “other” Mary (Mt.28:1b) … and Mary the wife of Clopas (Jn.19:25). In Aramaic, Alphaeus and Clopas are identical.
~ Throughout Biblical history God’s work has been carried on by virtual unknowns:
little people sometimes doing little jobs, about whom little or nothing is known.
What were the names of the three wise men? Who furnished the upper room for the Last Supper?
Can you provide the name of the man who provided the colt on which Jesus rode into Jerusalem?
What was the name of the lad name who donated his lunch to feed the 5,000?
Regarding the New Jerusalem, Rev.21:14 states, the wall of the city had twelve foundation
stones, and on each of them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
VARIOUS LEGENDS CONCERNING HIS DEATH
Traditional lore is mixed, with some saying the James the son of Alphaeus was crucified and others saying
that he was stoned to death and then saw into pieces. Still another says he was clubbed to death.
The New Testament is silent concerning his manner of death.
