Cleophas
“My exchanges”
Summary
The husband of Mary, one of the women who stood by the cross of Jesus, often identified with Alphaeus.
☩Biblical Reference
Cleophas (more properly Clopas in Greek: Κλωπᾶς) is mentioned in John 19:25 as the husband of Mary, who stood by the cross of Jesus along with his mother, his mother's sister, and Mary Magdalene. This Mary is understood to be the 'sister' of Christ's mother, making Clopas part of Jesus's extended family. He appears to have been dead before Jesus's ministry began, as his wife and children are mentioned frequently with Joseph's family but he himself is absent.
☩Identity with Alphaeus
Cleophas (Clopas) is often identified with Alphaeus, as the names may be different forms of the same Aramaic name. If this identification is correct, then James the son of Alphaeus (one of the twelve apostles) would be his son. The form 'Cleophas' in the English Bible is from Latin manuscripts and the Vulgate, where this spelling appears in both Luke 24:18 and John 19:25, though these likely refer to different persons.
Related Verses1 mention
John· 1 verse
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Cleophas," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. II (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Cleophas," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Cleophas," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).