Who was James the son of Alphaeus?

Answer

James, the son of Alphaeus, was one of Jesus’ twelve apostles (Matthew 10:2-3) and one of three individuals named James mentioned in the New Testament. He is distinguished from the other Jameses in the Bible by his father’s name. In biblical times, individuals did not have surnames as we do in Western cultures. They were often identified by their fathers and grandfathers. For instance, the other James among the twelve apostles is referred to as “James the son of Zebedee” «and James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder: », (Mark 3:17). Another James mentioned in the Scriptures was the brother of the Lord Jesus «But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother. », (Galatians 1:19), a leader in the Jerusalem church (Acts 12:17;Galatians 2:9), and the author of the book of James.

James, the son of Alphaeus, is also referred to as “James the Less” «There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; », (Mark 15:40). The term “less” should be interpreted as “little” or “younger.” Some versions of the Bible identify him as “James the Younger,” but the term may also suggest smallness of stature or lesser importance. Apart from being listed as a disciple, nothing else is known about James the son of Alphaeus.

Mark 2:14 contains an intriguing detail that some associate with James, the son of Alphaeus: when Jesus calls Matthew (Levi) to follow Him, Levi is desDescribed as “the son of Alphaeus.” Some scholars interpret this to imply that Matthew and James were siblings. However, this is unlikely because the Scriptures clearly identify two pairs of brothers who followed Jesus: Peter and Andrew «One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. », (John 1:40), and James and John «and James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which means The sons of thunder: », (Mark 3:17). No such connection is ever made between Matthew and James. Other scholars suggest that James’ father, Alphaeus, is the same man referred to as Clopas, the husband of Mary, in John 19:25. There is no definitive way to confirm either possibility.

Tradition suggests that it was James the Less who potentially carried the gospel to Persia (modern Iran) and met martyrdom there. Apart from that speculation, James the son of Alphaeus exemplifies humble service.

The scarcity of information about James the son of Alphaeus serves as a lesson in itself. This James was just as much an apostle as Peter and John. He will occupy a throne in Jesus’ earthly kingdom «And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. », (Matthew 19:28) with equal authority and honor as the other apostles. His name will be inscribed on a foundation of the walls of the New Jerusalem «And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. », (Revelation 21:14). James will notTo be considered “less” in eternity because he was faithful to his calling on earth.

James, the son of Alphaeus, can be an encouragement to those called to lives of obscurity. Our callings are just as certain and God-honoring, but few will ever know our names on earth. There will be no billboards, Time articles, or headlines praising our efforts. Some toil for decades in remote regions of the world with little to show for it. Others serve quietly in their homes or neighborhoods and then die relatively unnoticed. But God notices. James, the son of Alphaeus, reminds us that God uses a different set of standards to choose His heroes. He honors faithfulness “I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”, (Luke 18:8), endurance “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”, (Matthew 24:13), obedience “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”, (Matthew 7:21), and sacrifice “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”, (Galatians 2:20). Our only responsibility is obedience, not the results of that obedience. While some apostles wrote books of the Bible and others were featured regularly in the gospels, it appears that James, the son of Alphaeus, was quietly faithful to his Lord. For that, he will be equally honored with them for all eternity.