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James

also known as: Jacobus, Iakobos or Iakob

James was the name of 5 biblical men. This name appears 42 times in 38 verses.

  1. James, the younger brother of Jesus Christ

    He is not to be confused with any of 12 disciples of Christ, 2 of which were also “named” James—below.

    He is the author of the Epistle of James.

    Our Lord had four younger brothers (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3). Although Jesus was related to his brothers by law, he was not genetically related to them. While his brothers were the genetic offspring of his parents, Mary and Joseph, Jesus was conceived in holy purity by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18,20) and placed into the womb of the virgin Mary (for further information, see: Mary, mother of Jesus).

    Of the brothers, the next oldest after Jesus was James (Matthew 13:55-56; Mark 6:3).

    Other verses which indicate the existence of Mary and Joseph’s other children: Matthew 1:25; 12:47; Luke 2:7; John 2:12; Acts 1:14.

    The Bible reveals that there was some initial skepticism in Christ’s family about his ministry (Matthew 12:46-50; Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21; John 7:5). This later changed when James witnessed the fact of his brother’s resurrection from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:7). James personally talked to Jesus after his resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:7).

    James became a strong believer and follower of Jesus, and the leader of the Jerusalem church (1 Corinthians 9:5; Galatians 2:9). In Galatians 1:19, Paul referred to James as an apostle, like himself. James also endorsed Paul’s ministry (Galatians 2:1-10).

    James presided over the council held to decide whether the Gentile Christians should follow the rules of the Jews (Acts 12:17; 15:13-29: 21:18-24).

    Jesus’ other brothers apparently became missionaries (1 Corinthians 9:5).

    Click to learn moreHave archaeologists discovered evidence of James, the brother of Jesus? (the James ossuary)

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  2. James “the Greater”

    This James is a fisherman. He is the elder brother of John the Apostle, a disciple of Christ and the first disciple to martyred.

    This James is also one of Christ’s original 12 disciples. His parents were Zebedee and Salome.

    “He was by trade a fisherman, in partnership with Peter (Matthew 20:20; 27:56). With John and Peter he was present at the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1; Mark 9:2), at the raising of Jairus's daughter (Mark 5:37-43), and in the garden with our Lord (14:33).

    Because, probably, of their boldness and energy, he and John were called Boanerges, i.e., “sons of thunder.” He was the first martyr among the apostles, having been beheaded by King Herod Agrippa (Acts 12:1-2), 44 AD. (Compare Matthew 4:21; 20:20-23).” —Mathew G. Easton, Easton’s Bible Dictionary

  3. James, son of Alphaeus / Cleopas

    This James is also one of Christ’s 12 disciples.

    He is mentioned by name in the following verses:

  4. James “the Less” or “the Little”

    He is the brother of Joses (aka Joseph) and the son of a woman named Mary (NOT Jesus Christ’s mother).

    And there were also some women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the Less and Joses, and Salome —Mark 15:40

    Among them was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. —Matthew 27:56

    And when the Sabbath passed, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him. — Mark 16:1

    Now Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the rest of the women with them were there; they were telling these things to the apostles. —Luke 24:10

    He was probably called “the Less” or “the Little” because he was short in stature, or else because he was the younger or less well-known James.

  5. James, the brother of Judas Thaddaeus (aka Jude)

    also known as: Judas

    This James is also one of the 12 disciples. Although he was also called Judas, he is not to be confused with Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus Christ.

    His father is also named James.

    Two New Testament verses mention this disciple.

    1. “Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.” —Luke 6:16
    2. “And when they had entered the city, they went up to the upper room where they were staying; that is, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.” —Acts 1:13

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    Article Version: July 13, 2024