JAMES

Surnamed the greater, or the elder, to distinguish him from James the younger, was one of the twelve apostles, brother of John the evangelist, and son of Zebedee and Salome, Mt 4:21 27:56. Compare Mr 15:40. James was of Bethsaida in Galilee, and left his earthly occupation to follow Christ, Mr 1:29,20. His mother Salome was one of those women who occasionally attended our Savior in his journeys, and one day desired that her two sons might be seated at his right and left hand in the kingdom, Mt 20:20-23. James and John were originally fishermen, with Zebedee their father, Mr 1:19. They were witnesses of our Lord’s transfiguration, Mt 17:1,2; and when certain Samaritans refused to receive him, James and John wished for fire from heaven to consume them, Lu 9:54. For this reason, or because of their zeal and energy as ministers of Christ, the name of Boanerges, or sons of thunder, was afterwards given to them, Mr 3:17. Together with Peter they appear to have enjoyed special honors and privileges among the disciples, Mr 1:29 5:37 9:2 13:3 14:33 Lu 8:51. After the ascension of our Lord, at which James was present, he appears to have remained at Jerusalem, and was put to death by Herod, about A. D. 44, the first martyr among the apostles, Ac 12:1,2. Another apostle, son of Alphaeus, or Cleophas, Mt 10:3 Mr 3:18 Lu 6:15. His mother’s name was Mary, (3) and his brethren were Joses and Judas, (3) Mt 27:56; Mr 15:40. He is here called THE LESS, or the younger, to distinguish him from James the son of Zebedee. "The Lord’s brother," Ga 1:19; either a brother a Christ, being a son of Joseph and Mary; or as many think, a cousin of Christ, and identical with the James above, 2. He resided at Jerusalem, Ac 15:13; and is called "the Just" by Josephus, and said to have been stoned to death, about A. D. 62. The epistle of James is ascribed to him by those who distinguish him from James the Less. The question of his true relationship to Christ is involved in much doubt. The gospels repeatedly mention James, Joses, Juda, and Simon, as "brothers" of our Lord, and speak in the same connection of his "mother" and his "sisters," Mt 12:46 13:56 Mr 3:31 6:3 Lu 8:19; moreover, the inspired writers expressly distinguish the brothers of Christ from the apostles both James the Less and Jude, Joh 2:12 7:3-10 Ac 1:13,14, thus furnishing strong reasons, as many believe, for the opinion that James the Just was literally a brother of our Lord.

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James. James
(1.) The son of Zebedee and Salome; an elder brother of John the apostle. He was one of the twelve. He was by trade a fisherman, in partnership with Peter (Matt. 20:20; 27:56). With John and Peter he was present at the transfiguration (Matt. 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), A.D. 44. (Comp. Matt. 4:21; 20:20-23).

(2.) The son of Alphaeus, or Cleopas, “the brother” or near kinsman or cousin of our Lord (Gal. 1:18, 19), called James “the Less,” or “the Little,” probably because he was of low stature. He is mentioned along with the other apostles (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15). He had a separate interview with our Lord after his resurrection (1 Cor. 15:7), and is mentioned as one of the apostles of the circumcision (Acts 1:13). He appears to have occupied the position of head of the Church at Jerusalem, where he presided at the council held to consider the case of the Gentiles (Acts 12:17; 15:13-29: 21:18-24). This James was the author of the epistle which bears his name.

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James. same as Jacob

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JAMES. 1. An apostle. Son of Zebedee and Salome Mt 4:21; 27:56; Mr 15:40; 16:1
* Brother of John and a fisherman Lu 5:10
* Called to be an apostle Mt 4:21,22; 10:2; Mr 1:19,20; Lu 6:14; Ac 1:13
* Surnamed Boanerges by Jesus Mr 3:17

→ (An intimate companion of Jesus, and present with him) At the great catch of fish Lu 5:10 At the healing of Peter's mother-in-law Mr 1:29 At the raising of the daughter of Jairus Mr 5:37; Lu 8:51 At the transfiguration of Jesus Mt 17:1; Mr 9:2; Lu 9:28 In Gethsemane Mt 26:37; Mr 14:33
* Asks Jesus concerning his second coming Mr 13:3
* Bigotry of Lu 9:54
* Civil ambitions of Mt 20:20-23; Mr 10:35-41
* Present at Lake Tiberias when Jesus revealed himself to the disciples after his resurrection Joh 21:2; 1Co 15:7
* Martyred Ac 12:2

2. An apostle
* Son of Alphaeus Mt 10:3; Mr 3:18; Lu 6:15; Ac 1:13; 12:17
* Brother of Jesus Mt 13:55; 27:56; Mr 6:3; Lu 24:10; Ga 1:19; 2:9,12
* The brother of Judas Lu 6:16; Jude 1:1
* The brother of Joses Mr 15:40
* Witness of Christ's resurrection 1Co 15:7
* Addresses the gathering at Jerusalem in favor of liberty for the Gentile converts Ac 15:13-21
* Disciples sent by, to Antioch Ga 2:12
* Hears of the success attending Paul's ministry Ac 21:18,19
* Epistle of Jas 1:1

3. Brother of Jesus Mt 13:55; Mr 6:3; Ga 1:19

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(a) An Apostle, son of Zebedee, brother of John Mt 4:21; 10:2; 17:1; Mr 1:19; 3:17; 5:37; 9:2; 10:35; 14:33 Lu 5:10; 6:14; 8:51; Ac 1:13; 12:2 (b) An Apostle, son of Alphaeus Mt 10:3; Mr 3:18; Lu 6:15; Ac 1:13; 21:18; 1Co 15:7 Ga 1:19; 2:9 (c) "The Lord's Brother" (authorities differ as to the existence and identity of this character) Mt 13:55; Mr 6:3; Ga 1:19 Characteristics of, Slow to accept Christ Joh 7:5 After the resurrection joined the disciples Ac 1:14 Possibly was won by the appearance of the Lord after his resurrection 1Co 15:7 Regarded by many as one of the leaders of the church at Jerusalem Ac 15:13; 21:18 Also author of the epistle of James (?) Jas 1:1