James, the son of Alphaeus, also known as James the Less, was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. The meaning of the name James is derived from the Hebrew name Jacob, meaning “supplanter” or “holder of the heel.” It is believed that James was born circa 1st century AD, although the exact date is unknown. His father, Alphaeus, is mentioned in the New Testament, but there is little information about his mother.
Early Life of James
There is limited information about the early life of James, the son of Alphaeus, in the Bible. It is believed that he may have been a close relative of Jesus Christ, possibly a cousin, but this is not explicitly stated in the Scriptures.
Biblical Timeline
The Calling of James
The calling of James, the son of Alphaeus, as an apostle is recorded in Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:16-19, and Luke 6:13-16. Jesus chose James, along with eleven other disciples, to be His apostles, giving them the authority to preach the Gospel, heal diseases, and cast out demons.
Participation in Jesus’ Ministry
James is mentioned as being present with the other apostles during significant events in Jesus’ ministry, such as the Last Supper (Matthew 26:20, Mark 14:17, and Luke 22:14). However, there are no specific incidents in the Bible that recount his individual actions or teachings during this time.
After the Resurrection
Following the resurrection of Jesus, James is mentioned as being present with the other apostles in the upper room in Jerusalem, waiting for the Holy Spirit as Jesus instructed (Acts 1:13). James, like the other apostles, would go on to spread the Gospel and establish the early Christian church.
Death of James
The New Testament does not provide information about the death of James, the son of Alphaeus. However, various early Christian traditions claim that he was martyred for his faith, although the specific details and location of his death remain uncertain.
Additional Notes
It is important to distinguish James, the son of Alphaeus, from other individuals named James in the New Testament, such as James, the son of Zebedee, and James, the brother of Jesus. Each of these individuals played different roles in the life and ministry of Jesus.
Extrabiblical References to James
Extra-biblical references to James, the son of Alphaeus, are scarce. Some early Christian writings, such as the writings of the church fathers, mention him as one of the apostles. However, there is no conclusive archaeological or historical evidence to provide additional details about his life or death.