James
“Supplanter (from Hebrew Jacob)”
Summary
A name borne by several prominent New Testament figures, including two apostles—James the son of Zebedee (the first apostle martyred) and James the son of Alphaeus—as well as James the brother of the Lord, who led the Jerusalem church.
☩James Son of Zebedee
James was the elder son of Zebedee and Salome, and brother of the apostle John. Their father was a fisherman of some means, employing hired servants, and their mother Salome was possibly a sister of the Virgin Mary. James and John were partners with Simon Peter in their fishing enterprise at the Sea of Galilee. Called by Jesus while mending nets with their father, they immediately left all and followed Him. Along with Peter, James formed part of the inner circle of three disciples present at pivotal events: the raising of Jairus's daughter, the Transfiguration on the mount, and the agony in Gethsemane. Jesus surnamed James and John 'Boanerges,' meaning 'Sons of Thunder,' likely reflecting their zealous, impetuous temperament—evidenced when they wanted to call down fire on an inhospitable Samaritan village.
☩Martyrdom of James Son of Zebedee
James became the first of the Twelve to suffer martyrdom when Herod Agrippa I had him killed with the sword about AD 44, shortly before the Passover. This Herod, eager to please the Jewish authorities, chose the most fiery of the leading apostles as his victim. According to Clement of Alexandria, the officer who led James to the tribunal was so moved by his bold confession of faith that he declared himself a Christian on the spot, and both were beheaded together after James granted him forgiveness and the kiss of peace. Thus Jesus' prophecy that James would drink His cup of suffering was fulfilled.
☩James the Lord's Brother
James 'the Lord's brother' is mentioned among the brothers of Jesus along with Joseph, Simon, and Judas. During Jesus' earthly ministry, His brothers did not believe in Him, yet James was converted, possibly by a special resurrection appearance mentioned by Paul. He became the leading figure of the Jerusalem church, presiding at the council in Acts 15 and delivering the judgment regarding Gentile converts. Paul identifies him as one of the 'pillars' of the church, along with Peter and John, and reports meeting with him on his visits to Jerusalem. This James is almost certainly the author of the epistle bearing his name. According to tradition preserved by Hegesippus, he was known as 'James the Just' for his exemplary piety and was martyred in Jerusalem around AD 62.
☩James Son of Alphaeus
James the son of Alphaeus was one of the Twelve Apostles, mentioned in all four lists of the apostles. He is possibly the same as 'James the Less' (literally 'the little,' perhaps referring to his stature or age), whose mother Mary stood at the cross. Some scholars have identified Alphaeus with Clopas, making this James a cousin of Jesus, though this remains debated. If this identification is correct, his brother would be Matthew (Levi), also called a son of Alphaeus. Beyond his presence in the apostolic lists, Scripture provides no further details of his ministry.
Related Verses41 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "James," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "James," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "James," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "James," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).