The James's in Scripture.

[Anima]

Early Christian Testimonials w/ Scriptural References​

I. "Mary the wife of Cleophas or Alphaeus (Clopas), who was the mother of James the bishop and apostle, and of Simon and Thaddeus (Jude/Judas), and of one Joseph." (Papias of Hierapolis [c. 60–130 AD], Fragments of Papias, Frag. 10, cf. Jn. 19:25)

II. "...James, who is called the brother of the Lord ... as appears to me, the son of Mary sister of the mother of our Lord ... after ordained by the apostles bishop of Jerusalem, wrote a single epistle, which is reckoned among the seven Catholic epistles" (cf. Jud. 1:1) and "...Mary who is described as the mother of James the Less was the wife of Alphaeus and sister of Mary the Lord's mother" (Jerome of Stridon [c. 347–420 CE], De Viris Illustribus, De Perpetua Uirginitate Beatae Mariae, cf. Jn. 19:25)

III. Eusebius of Caesarea [c. 260–340 AD] relates the following in his Historia Ecclesiastica:

James, the brother of the Lord, was the "...author of the first of the so-called catholic epistles" and that while it is disputed, "as is the case likewise with the epistle that bears the name of Jude, which is also one of the seven so-called catholic epistles," it is known they have been "...read publicly in very many churches." (Bk. I, ch. 23, cf. Jud. 1:1)

"James ... surnamed the Just ... bishop of the church of Jerusalem. This James was called the brother of the Lord..." and "Paul also makes mention of the same James the Just, where he writes, 'Other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.'" (Bk. II, ch. 1)

"...those of the apostles and disciples of the Lord ... with those that were related to the Lord according to the flesh ... pronounced Symeon (Simon), the son of Clopas ... to be worthy of the episcopal throne of that parish. He was a cousin, as they say, of the Saviour. For Hegesippus records that Clopas was a brother of Joseph." (Bk. III, ch. 11)

"Josephus, at least, has not hesitated to testify this in his writings, where he says, 'These things happened to the Jews to avenge James the Just, who was a brother of Jesus, that is called the Christ.'" (Bk. II, ch. 23)

"...the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James" (Flavius Josephus [c. 37-100 CE], Antiquitates Iudaicae, Bk. XX, ch. 9)

"...James the Just bishop of Jerusalem" and "...but there were two Jameses: one called the Just ... thrown from the pinnacle of the temple ... and beaten to death with a club by a fuller, and another who was beheaded." (Bk. II, ch. 1) (Clement of Alexandria [c. 150–215 AD], Hypotyposes, Bk. VII, cf. Ac. 12:1-2)

"...James the brother of the Lord, succeeded to the government of the Church ... called the Just ..." (Bk. II, ch. 23) and "after James the Just had suffered martyrdom ... Symeon (Simon), the son of the Lord's uncle, Clopas, was appointed the next bishop ... because he was a cousin of the Lord." (Bk. III, ch. 22) (Hegesippus [c. 110-180 AD], Hypomnemata)

Additional Scriptural Support

The aforementioned teaching that the mother of James, Simon, Joseph, and Jude (Judas/Thaddeus) of Alphaeus (Cleophas/Clopas) was Mary of Cleophas/Clopas (Alphaeus), Jesus's mother's sister-in-law, can be supported by the following verses:​

"his mother's sister, Mary of Cleophas" (Jn. 19:25)

"Mary, mother of James" (Mk. 16:1)

"Mary of James" (Lk. 24:10)

"Mary, mother of James and Joseph" (Matt. 27:56)

"Mary, mother of James the Less and Joseph" (Mk. 15:40)

Furthermore, the idea Mary of Joseph and Mary of Cleophas/Clopas were biological sisters given the same name is ridiculous.

If at the very least you agree "James" in Matt. 13:55/Mk. 63 and the apostle "James" in Gal. 1:19 were the same, consider the two of the twelve apostles named "James:"​

Apostle James, son of Zebedee, whose brother [sibling] was Apostle John, and their mother is only known to have been the mother of "the sons of Zebedee." It's indisputable that of the two, this James-apostle doesn't correlate with the "James" in Matt. 13:55/Mk. 6:3 and Gal. 1:19. (Matt. 4:21;20:20;27:56, Mk. 1:19;3:17;10:35, Lk. 5:10, Ac. 12:1-2)

Apostle James, son of Alphaeus, whose brothers [siblings] were Apostle Jude (Judas/Thaddeus) and Joseph. It's indisputable that of the two, this James-apostle correlates more with "James" in Matt. 13:55/Mk. 6:3 and Gal. 1:19. (Matt. 10:3, Mk. 3:18, Lk. 6:15-16, Ac. 1:13)

Summary

Papias of Hierapolis [c. 60–130 AD] indicated "Apostle James of Alphaeus" and "James the Bishop of Jerusalem" were the same person, as well as the brother [sibling] of Simon, Joseph, and Jude (Judas/Thaddeus), and that these four were the sons of Mary and Alphaeus (Cleophas/Clopas). (Fragments of Papias, Frag. 10)

Jerome of Stridon [c. 347–420 CE] indicated "James the Bishop of Jerusalem," "James the brother of the Lord," "James the Less," and the "author of the Epistle of James," were the same person. He also said this James was the son of Jesus's mother's sister, Mary the wife of Alphaeus (Cleophas/Clopas, cf. Jn. 19:25), which coincides with Papias's testimony, and thus Jerome would've known he was Apostle James of Alphaeus as well. (De Viris Illustribus, De Perpetua Uirginitate Beatae Mariae)

Eusebius of Caesarea [c. 260–340 AD] indicated "James the Bishop of Jerusalem," "James the brother of the Lord," "James the Just," and the "author of the Epistle of James," were the same person. He also said, "Apostle Paul makes mention of the same James the Just, where he writes, 'Other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.'" (Historia Ecclesiastica, Bk. I, ch. 23, Bk. II, ch. 1)

Clement of Alexandria [c. 150–215 AD] indicated "James the Bishop of Jerusalem" and "James the Just" were the same person. (Hypotyposes, Bk. VII)

Flavius Josephus [c. 37-100 CE] indicated "James the brother of the Lord" and "James the Just" were the same person. (Antiquitates Iudaicae, Bk. XX, ch. 9)

Hegesippus [c. 110-180 AD] indicated "James the brother of the Lord" and "James the Just" were the same person. (Hypomnemata)

The scriptural verses and crossover agreement between all my sources, even if not every surname is listed by each individual source, collectively show "James" in Matt. 13:55/Mk. 6:3, "James the brother of the Lord," "James the Bishop of Jerusalem," "James the Less," "James the Just," and the author of the Epistle of James, were the same person as Apostle James of Alphaeus (Cleophas/Clopas), the son of Joseph's brother [sibling], which confirms he was the brother, as in "kinsman," specifically a cousin, of Jesus.​

 

[Robert Gwin]

Who is "James" in Matt. 13:55/Mk. 6:3 and Gal. 1:19? ​

According to the following Early Church Fathers, they were one and the same, and in fact one of Jesus's four brothers, as in kin, though specifically cousins, as well as the author of the Epistle of James:

Early Church Father Testimonials w/ Scriptural References​

I. "Mary the wife of Cleophas or Alphaeus (or Clopas), who was the mother of James the bishop and apostle, and of Simon and Thaddeus (Jude/Judas), and of one Joseph." (Papias of Hierapolis [c. 60–130 AD], Fragment of Papias, Frag. 10, cf. Jn. 19:25)

II. "...James, who is called the brother of the Lord ... as appears to me, the son of Mary sister of the mother of our Lord ... after ordained by the apostles bishop of Jerusalem, wrote a single epistle, which is reckoned among the seven Catholic epistles" (cf. Jud. 1:1) and "...Mary who is described as the mother of James the Less was the wife of Alphaeus and sister of Mary the Lord's mother" (Jerome of Stridon [c. 347–420 CE], De Viris Illustribus, De Perpetua Uirginitate Beatae Mariae, cf. Jn. 19:25)

III. Eusebius of Caesarea [c. 260–340 AD] relates the following in his Historia Ecclesiastica:

James, the brother of the Lord, was the "...author of the first of the so-called catholic epistles" and that while it is disputed, "as is the case likewise with the epistle that bears the name of Jude, which is also one of the seven so-called catholic epistles," it is known they have been "...read publicly in very many churches." (Bk. I, ch. 23)

"James ... surnamed the Just ... bishop of the church of Jerusalem. This James was called the brother of the Lord..." and "Paul also makes mention of the same James the Just, where he writes, 'Other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.'" (Bk. II, ch. 1)

"...those of the apostles and disciples of the Lord ... with those that were related to the Lord according to the flesh ... pronounced Symeon (Simon), the son of Clopas ... to be worthy of the episcopal throne of that parish. He was a cousin, as they say, of the Saviour. For Hegesippus records that Clopas was a brother of Joseph." (Bk. III, ch. 11)

"Josephus, at least, has not hesitated to testify this in his writings, where he says, 'These things happened to the Jews to avenge James the Just, who was a brother of Jesus, that is called the Christ.'" (Bk. II, ch. 23)

"...the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James" (Flavius Josephus [c. 37-100 CE), Antiquitates Iudaicae, Bk. XX, ch. 9)

"...James the Just bishop of Jerusalem" and "...but there were two Jameses: one called the Just ... thrown from the pinnacle of the temple ... and beaten to death with a club by a fuller, and another who was beheaded." (Bk. II, ch. 1) (Clement of Alexandria [c. 150–215 AD], Hypotyposes, Bk. VII, cf. Ac. 12:1-2)

"...James the brother of the Lord, succeeded to the government of the Church ... called the Just ..." (Bk. II, ch. 23) and "after James the Just had suffered martyrdom ... Symeon (Simon), the son of the Lord's uncle, Clopas, was appointed the next bishop ... because he was a cousin of the Lord." (Bk. III, ch. 22) (Hegesippus [c. 110-180 AD], Hypomnemata)

Additional Scriptural Support
​

The Early Church Father belief/teaching that the mother of James, Simon, Joseph, and Jude (Judas/Thaddeus) of Alphaeus was Mary of Cleophas/Clopas, Jesus's mother's sister (in-law), is supported by the following verses:

"his mother's sister, Mary of Cleophas" (Jn. 19:25)
"Mary, mother of James" (Mk. 16:1)
"Mary of James" (Lk. 24:10)
"Mary, mother of James and Joseph" (Matt. 27:56)
"Mary, mother of James the Less and Joseph" (Mk. 15:40)

​

If at the very least you agree "James" in Matt. 13:55/Mk. 63 and the apostle "James" in Gal. 1:19 were one and the same, consider the following:

Two of the twelve apostles were named "James:"

Apostle James, son of Zebedee, whose brother [sibling] was Apostle John, and their mother is only known to have been the mother of "the sons of Zebedee." Thus it is indisputable that of the two this James-apostle doesn't correlate with the "James" in Matt. 13:55/Mk. 6:3 and Gal. 1:19. (Matt. 4:21;20:20;27:56, Mk. 1:19;3:17;10:35, Lk. 5:10, Ac. 12:1-2)

Apostle James, son of Alphaeus, whose brothers [siblings] were Apostle Jude (Judas/Thaddeus) and Joseph. Thus it is indisputable that of the two this James-apostle correlates with "James" in Matt. 13:55/Mk. 6:3 and Gal. 1:19. (Matt. 10:3, Mk. 3:18, Lk. 6:15-16, Ac. 1:13)

Looks like you answered your own question maam, well in fact. Welcome to the forum.

 

[Anima]

Looks like you answered your own question maam, well in fact. Welcome to the forum.

Thank you!

 

[GRACE ambassador]

Prominent Early Christian Testimonials w/ Scriptural References​

I. "Mary the wife of Cleophas or Alphaeus (Clopas), who was the mother of James the bishop and apostle, and of Simon and Thaddeus (Jude/Judas), and of one Joseph." (Papias of Hierapolis [c. 60–130 AD], Fragment of Papias, Frag. 10, cf. Jn. 19:25)

II. "...James, who is called the brother of the Lord ... as appears to me, the son of Mary sister of the mother of our Lord ... after ordained by the apostles bishop of Jerusalem, wrote a single epistle, which is reckoned among the seven Catholic epistles" (cf. Jud. 1:1) and "...Mary who is described as the mother of James the Less was the wife of Alphaeus and sister of Mary the Lord's mother" (Jerome of Stridon [c. 347–420 CE], De Viris Illustribus, De Perpetua Uirginitate Beatae Mariae, cf. Jn. 19:25)

III. Eusebius of Caesarea [c. 260–340 AD] relates the following in his Historia Ecclesiastica:

James, the brother of the Lord, was the "...author of the first of the so-called catholic epistles" and that while it is disputed, "as is the case likewise with the epistle that bears the name of Jude, which is also one of the seven so-called catholic epistles," it is known they have been "...read publicly in very many churches." (Bk. I, ch. 23, cf. Jud. 1:1)

"James ... surnamed the Just ... bishop of the church of Jerusalem. This James was called the brother of the Lord..." and "Paul also makes mention of the same James the Just, where he writes, 'Other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.'" (Bk. II, ch. 1)

"...those of the apostles and disciples of the Lord ... with those that were related to the Lord according to the flesh ... pronounced Symeon (Simon), the son of Clopas ... to be worthy of the episcopal throne of that parish. He was a cousin, as they say, of the Saviour. For Hegesippus records that Clopas was a brother of Joseph." (Bk. III, ch. 11)

"Josephus, at least, has not hesitated to testify this in his writings, where he says, 'These things happened to the Jews to avenge James the Just, who was a brother of Jesus, that is called the Christ.'" (Bk. II, ch. 23)

"...the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James" (Flavius Josephus [c. 37-100 CE], Antiquitates Iudaicae, Bk. XX, ch. 9)

"...James the Just bishop of Jerusalem" and "...but there were two Jameses: one called the Just ... thrown from the pinnacle of the temple ... and beaten to death with a club by a fuller, and another who was beheaded." (Bk. II, ch. 1) (Clement of Alexandria [c. 150–215 AD], Hypotyposes, Bk. VII, cf. Ac. 12:1-2)

"...James the brother of the Lord, succeeded to the government of the Church ... called the Just ..." (Bk. II, ch. 23) and "after James the Just had suffered martyrdom ... Symeon (Simon), the son of the Lord's uncle, Clopas, was appointed the next bishop ... because he was a cousin of the Lord." (Bk. III, ch. 22) (Hegesippus [c. 110-180 AD], Hypomnemata)

Additional Scriptural Support

The aforementioned teaching that the mother of James, Simon, Joseph, and Jude (Judas/Thaddeus) of Alphaeus (Cleophas/Clopas)
was Mary of Cleophas/Clopas (Alphaeus), Jesus's mother's sister (in-law), is supported by the following verses:​

"his mother's sister, Mary of Cleophas" (Jn. 19:25)
"Mary, mother of James" (Mk. 16:1)
"Mary of James" (Lk. 24:10)
"Mary, mother of James and Joseph" (Matt. 27:56)
"Mary, mother of James the Less and Joseph" (Mk. 15:40)

If at the very least you agree "James" in Matt. 13:55/Mk. 63 and the apostle "James" in Gal. 1:19 were the same,
consider the two of the twelve apostles named "James:"​

Apostle James, son of Zebedee, whose brother [sibling] was Apostle John, and their mother is only known to have been the mother of "the sons of Zebedee." Thus it is indisputable that of the two this James-apostle doesn't correlate with the "James" in Matt. 13:55/Mk. 6:3 and Gal. 1:19. (Matt. 4:21;20:20;27:56, Mk. 1:19;3:17;10:35, Lk. 5:10, Ac. 12:1-2)

Apostle James, son of Alphaeus, whose brothers [siblings] were Apostle Jude (Judas/Thaddeus) and Joseph. Thus it is indisputable that of the two this James-apostle correlates more with "James" in Matt. 13:55/Mk. 6:3 and Gal. 1:19. (Matt. 10:3, Mk. 3:18, Lk. 6:15-16, Ac. 1:13)

Summary

The scriptural verses and testimonials of prominent early Christians above together illustrate "James" in Matt. 13:55/Mk. 6:3, "James the brother of the Lord," "Apostle James of Alphaeus," "James the Bishop of Jerusalem," "James the Less," "James the Just," and the author of the Epistle of James were the same, and that he, Simon, Joseph, and Jude (Judas/Thaddeus) were sons of Joseph's brother [sibling], Alphaeus (Cleophas/Clopas), and Mary of Joseph's sister-in-law, Mary of Cleophas/Clopas (Alphaeus), and thus Jesus's brothers, as in "kinsmen," specifically cousins.​

Precious friend, A Very Warm Welcome to the Board.

Please Be Very RICHLY Encouraged, Enlightened, Exhorted, And Edified In
The LORD JESUS CHRIST, And In His Word Of Truth, Rightly Divided!

GRACE And Peace! The apostle of GRACE (2 Min With The BIBLE)

FULL study:
Paul, The apostle Of GRACE (Part I)
Paul, The apostle Of GRACE (Part II)

 

[farouk]

If anyone disagrees with the OP, please explain why.

Hiercharchies were not created; rather, there is the Biblical 'faith once delivered to the saints' (Jude 3) for which believers must contend earnestly.

 

[Anima]

Precious friend, A Very Warm Welcome to the Board.

Thank you!

Please Be Very RICHLY Encouraged, Enlightened, Exhorted, And Edified In
The LORD JESUS CHRIST, And In His Word Of Truth, Rightly Divided!

GRACE And Peace! The apostle of GRACE (2 Min With The BIBLE)

FULL study:
Paul, The apostle Of GRACE (Part I)
Paul, The apostle Of GRACE (Part II)

How is that relevant to the OP?

 

[Anima]

Hiercharchies were not created; rather, there is the Biblical 'faith once delivered to the saints' (Jude 3) for which believers must contend earnestly.

How is that relevant to the OP?

 

[farouk]

How is that relevant to the OP?

The OP seemed to refer to men in prominent positions; my point was that it is doctrine in Scripture that takes precedence over the temporary prominence of people.

 

[GRACE ambassador]

Thank you!
How is that relevant to the OP?

Most likely in the sense that James is "an apostle of the circumcision," to
the Twelve tribes of Israel (James_1:1), and:

Rightly Divided (2 Timothy 2:15) From “Things That Differ” (online)

That Paul is "the apostle to the Gentiles (UNcircumcision)" to the
Body Of Christ...

 

[Anima]

Most likely in the sense that James is "an apostle of the circumcision," to
the Twelve tribes of Israel (James_1:1), and:

Rightly Divided (2 Timothy 2:15) From “Things That Differ” (online)

That Paul is "the apostle to the Gentiles (UNcircumcision)" to the
Body Of Christ...

Well, this thread is about the identity of the "James" in Matt. 13:55/Mk. 6:3 and Gal. 1:19. Do you agree or disagree with the conclusion in the OP?

 

[Anima]

The OP seemed to refer to men in prominent positions; my point was that it is doctrine in Scripture that takes precedence over the temporary prominence of people.

The OP contains testimonials from well-known early Christians concerning the identity of the "James" in Matt. 13:55/Mk. 6:3 and Gal. 1:19. Do you agree or disagree with the conclusion in the OP?

 

[RedFan]

I've always thought that James the first bishop of Jerusalem, often called the brother of the Lord, was neither of the two Jameses listed among the twelve original apostles (respectively, the son of Zebedee and the son of Alphaeus). Paul suggests as much, 1 Cor. 15. In v. 7 he mentions Christ's appearance to the twelve (which would include James son of Zebedee and James son of Alphaeus), and then in v. 9 His appearance to James.

 

[Anima]

I've always thought that James the first bishop of Jerusalem, often called the brother of the Lord, was neither of the two Jameses listed among the twelve original apostles (respectively, the son of Zebedee and the son of Alphaeus). Paul suggests as much, 1 Cor. 15. In v. 7 he mentions Christ's appearance to the twelve (which would include James son of Zebedee and James son of Alphaeus), and then in v. 9 His appearance to James.

Verse 7 refers to James and all the apostles 1 Cor. 15, verse 9 refers to Paul. Regarding verse 7, it's possible for it to mean Jesus was seen by an apostle James alone, then by he and the rest of the apostles later: "After that, he was seen by James, then by all the apostles." (1 Cor. 15:7)

 

[RedFan]

Verse 7 refers to James and all the apostles 1 Cor. 15, verse 9 refers to Paul. Regarding verse 7, it's possible for it to mean Jesus was seen by an apostle James alone, then again by he and the rest of the apostles later: "After that, he was seen by James, then by all the apostles." (1 Cor. 15:7)

It's possible, but that is a very strained reading of Paul's meaning here. There's no reason to single out one of the Jameses for a second visit from the resurrected Christ. And if it happened, there's no reason for Paul to mention it. It's far more likely he was referring to James the bishop of Jerusalem in v. 9.

 

[Anima]

It's possible, but that is a very strained reading of Paul's meaning here. There's no reason to single out one of the Jameses for a second visit from the resurrected Christ. And if it happened, there's no reason for Paul to mention it. It's far more likely he was referring to James the bishop of Jerusalem in v. 9.

Per the evidence in the OP, Apostle James of Alphaeus and James the Bishop of Jerusalem were the same person. Also, in 1 Cor. 15, verse 7 refers to James, verse 9 refers to Paul.

 

[RedFan]

Right, it's v. 5 and 7, not v. 7 and 9, that I should have focused on.

 

[Anima]

Right, it's v. 5 and 7, not v. 7 and 9, that I should have focused on.

In verse 5, Paul is saying Jesus was seen by Apostle Peter alone, then by the eleven apostles later, which would've included Peter, because they hadn't yet chosen someone to become the twelfth, in replacement of Judas who had committed suicide: "And that he was seen by Cephas; and after that by the eleven." (1 Cor. 15:5)

Regarding verse 7, we agree it's possible to mean Jesus was seen by an apostle James alone, then by he and the rest of the apostles later: "After that, he was seen by James, then by all the apostles." (1 Cor. 15:7)

There's evidence in the OP that Apostle James of Alphaeus and James the Bishop of Jerusalem were the same person.

 

[RedFan]

In verse 5, Paul is saying Jesus was seen by Apostle Peter alone, then by the eleven apostles, which would've included Peter, because they hadn't chosen someone to replace Judas yet who was the twelfth apostle: "And that he was seen by Cephas; and after that by the eleven." (1 Cor. 15:5)

Regarding verse 7, we agree it's possible to mean Jesus was seen by an apostle James alone, then again by he and the rest of the apostles later: "After that, he was seen by James, then by all the apostles." (1 Cor. 15:7)

There's evidence in the OP that Apostle James of Alphaeus and James the Bishop of Jerusalem were the same person.

But if two Jameses were included in the twelve to whom He appeared per v. 5, and then v.7 mentions a separate appearance to "James," isn't it a better assumption that the James referenced in v. 7 wasn't one of the Twelve?

 

[Anima]

But if two Jameses were included in the twelve to whom He appeared per v. 5, and then v.7 mentions a separate appearance to "James," isn't it a better assumption that the James referenced in v. 7 wasn't one of the Twelve?

Again, in verse 5 Paul is saying Jesus was seen by Apostle Peter alone, then by the eleven apostles later. Peter would've been one of the eleven, because they hadn't yet chosen someone to become the twelfth apostle, in replacement of Judas who had committed suicide. Therefore, Paul isn't speaking of twelve apostles in verse 7 either.

 

[RedFan]

Again, in verse 5 Paul is saying Jesus was seen by Apostle Peter alone, then by the eleven apostles later. Peter would've been one of the eleven, because they hadn't yet chosen someone to become the twelfth apostle, in replacement of Judas who had committed suicide. Therefore, Paul isn't speaking of twelve apostles in verse 7 either.

So, out of the possible choices --

(1) James son of Zebedee (one of the twelve apostles)

(2) James son of Alphaeus (one of the twelve apostles)

(3) James "the Just"/first bishop of Jerusalem/"brother" of the Lord

which one (or ones, if you believe that #3 is actually identical either to #1 or #2) is Paul referencing in v. 7?