Expert: Clifford H. Readout, Jr. - 12/1/2008

Question
I am working on a character study of James the less. My question is this: Is James the less (of Mark 15:40) the same person as James the son of Alphaeus (of Mark 3:18)?

Thank you.

Answer
Dear Neil,

Thank you for an interesting question, one that has challenged exegetes and commentators for centuries.  I do not think the challenge to be insurmountable, though.  The question is solved if we pay close attention to the parentage and kinships defined in the Bible for the men named “James”.  My analysis (which will be given in some detail later) leads me to conclude that there are three men named “James” in the New Testament.

1. James, the son of Zebedee and Salome, who was also the brother (by immediate parentage) of John, the beloved disciple. He was one of the twelve men specifically chosen by the Lord Jesus Christ to be one of His apostles.  He was killed by Herod (Acts 12.2).  He is mentioned in the following texts:
Matthew 4:21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.  22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
Matthew 10:2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
Matthew 17:1   And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
Matthew 20:20   Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.  21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.  22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.  23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. 24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.
Mark 1:19 And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.
Mark 1:29   And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
Mark 3:17 And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:
Mark 5:37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.
Mark 9:2 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.
Mark 10:35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.
Mark 10:41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.
Mark 13:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
Mark 14:33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;
Luke 5:10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
Luke 6:14 Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
Luke 8:51 And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden.
Luke 9:28   And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
Luke 9:54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
Acts 1:13a  And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew …
Acts 12:2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.


2. James, the son of Alphaeus, who was also chosen to be one of the Lord’s twelve apostles.  Not much is written about him.  He is never mentioned as being anyone’s “brother” by immediate parentage.
Matthew 10: 3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
Mark 3:18 And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,
Luke 6:15 Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,
Acts 1:13b … James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of ...


3. James the less, who was not one of the twelve disciples, but was a near kinsman of the Lord Jesus Christ.  This James is the one referred to as one of the “brethren” of Jesus Christ. But, it is important to understand that he was not a son of the mother of Jesus Christ, nor of her husband Joseph.  His mother was also named Mary, but she is specified to be the wife of Cleophas. He had three other men who are called his “brothers,” one of whom (Judas, not Iscariot) was chosen by the Lord to be one of the apostles.  There is some conjecture, first arising about 300 years after the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus, that “Alphaeus” and “Cleophas” are the same man, which would mean that there were only two men named “James”.  However, this seems to me to be most unlikely, if not insupportable.   The idea that one of the twelve apostles would be called “the less” in relation to another of the twelve seems too much of a stretch, especially considering the fact that the only use of “the less” as a part of his name directly relates him to Joses.  However, if one James happened to be a kinsman of Jesus, not a believer at the beginning of the Lord’s ministry, and not one of the twelve, the title “the less” would be entirely appropriate.  He is mentioned in the following texts:
Matthew 13:55 Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
Matthew 27:56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children.
Mark 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
Mark 15:40 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 16:1   And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
Luke 24:10 It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.
Acts 12:17 But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.
  [Note how this “James” is set apart from “the brethren.” It is most unlikely this distinction would have been made had the James mentioned been one of the apostles!]
Acts 15:13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:
  [It is unlikely that one of the apostles would have would have addressed his peers in this manner, or waited until all the others had had their say on the pressing issue, but if this James was not one of the original twelve, it would be proper for him not to speak until after all the others had finished, and then to ask for their attention.]
Acts 21:18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.
  [Again, this James is separated from “all the elders,” indicating that he was not one of the apostles.  His role was most likely that of Bishop of Jerusalem, hence the presiding pastor of all the ministers and people in the church.  This is the role traditionally given to James, the Lord’s kinsman.]
1Corinthians 15:7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
  [Once again, this James is mentioned distinctly separated from “all the apostles.”  It does not seem likely that he was one of them.]
Galatians 1:19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.
Galatians 2:9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
  [It seems likely that this James is the same one mentioned earlier in the epistle. The same likelihood applies to the next mention.]
Galatians 2:12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
James 1:1   James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
Jude 1   Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

The normal manner of grouping the disciples in the texts may be enough evidence to allow the conclusion that the James named in Luke 6:16 and Acts 1:13b is the kinsman of Jesus (3), and not the son of Alphaeus (3).
Luke 6:16 And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.
Acts 1:13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
Jude 1   Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

The listings of the disciples group them by their familial relationships to each other.  So, the Judas (Juda, Jude) mentioned in Matthew 13:55 and Mark 6:3 would not be brother to James (1) or James (2), or he would have been listed with his brother, rather than separately after Simon Zelotes.
James (3)        brother of         Judas
and                                           and
Joses                                       Simon

James (3) and Joses were sons of Mary the wife of Cleophas. Judas (Jude) and Simon were probably cousins to them, with Simon and Judas being the more distant relatives.  It is probable that Judas was chosen as one of the twelve, and eventually wrote the epistle bearing his name.

To establish the relationships, those texts which refer to the Lord’s “brothers” should be examined.  I will not include here all of my analysis, but provide the texts with a few conclusions afterward.

Matthew 12:46   While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.  47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.  48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? 49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Matthew 13:55 Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?  56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?
Mark 3:31   There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him.  32 And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.  33 And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? 34 And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.
Mark 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.  4 But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.
Luke 8:19-21 Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press.  20 And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.  21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.
John 2:12   After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.
John 7:3, 5, 10  His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.  … 5 For neither did his brethren believe in him.  … 10 But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.
Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
1 Corinthians 9:5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
Galatians 1:19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.


The Greek word translated “brother” and “brethren” is adelphos.  It does not always mean “son of the same mother” or “son of the same father”. It also means “relative” or “near kinsman”.  Sometimes, only a metaphorical relationship, without common parentage, is meant:
Matthew 23:8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
Matthew 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Matthew 28:10, 16 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.  … 16   Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
John 20:17-18 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. 18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
Acts 22:13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.
1Corinthians 15:6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
Revelation 1:9   I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Accordingly, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas (James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon) are not the children of Jesus’ mother or her husband.  

Matthew 27:56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children.
Mark 15:40 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 16:1   And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
Luke 24:10 It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.

My conclusion from the evidence, then, is that James the son of Alphaeus and James the less are not the same person.

I hope this brief summary will help.

Yours for Truth,

CR