James (son of Alphaeus)

Technical Profile

• Name Meaning: From Hebrew Yaʿaqōb (“Jacob/James”), commonly understood as “he grasps the heel” or “supplanter,” a traditional personal name in Israel.
• Period/Era: Second Temple Period (ministry of Jesus under Roman Imperial Context)
• Main References: Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13
• Key Connections: Son of Alphaeus; listed among the Twelve apostles appointed by Jesus

Who was James (son of Alphaeus)?

James son of Alphaeus was one of the Twelve apostles named in the Synoptic Gospel lists.
He appears only in catalogues of the Twelve and is not described with individual actions or sayings.
The New Testament distinguishes him by patronymic (“son of Alphaeus”) to identify him among other men named James.

Key Events & Achievements

• Event 1: Named among the Twelve apostles appointed by Jesus — (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15).
• Event 2: Present within the apostolic group after Jesus’ resurrection — (Acts 1:13).
• Event 3: Included in the foundational witness list through which Jesus’ apostolic mission is formally represented — (Mark 3:14–18).

Life Lesson & Legacy

James son of Alphaeus illustrates how faithful discipleship in the apostolic circle can be historically real even when individual details are sparse.

Key Verse

"and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;" — Mark 3:18, ESV