Bible Dictionary

James The Less

People & Groups • New Testament

James the Less was one of Jesus’ apostles, the son of Alphaeus and commonly identified with the James who was also called the Lord’s brother. He became a prominent leader among the believers in Jerusalem.

Definition

James the Less, or James the Little, was an apostle, identified with James the son of Alphaeus. The designation probably referred either to his younger age or to smaller stature. He is also identified in the supplied material with James the Lord’s brother.

Biblical Usage

James the Less was one of the Twelve. The risen Lord appeared to him, and he later stood with Peter in a position of authority among believers at Jerusalem. He was associated with the admission of Paul into fellowship and with decisions concerning the Jerusalem church.

Historical Background

James was traditionally said to have been thrown from the temple by the scribes and Pharisees, then stoned and killed with a fuller’s club. The supplied material also identifies him with the son of Alphaeus or Clopas and the brother of the Lord.

Scripture References

1 Corinthians 15:7 Acts 9:27 Galatians 1:18 Galatians 1:19 Acts 12:17 Acts 15:13 Acts 15:19 Acts 21:18 Galatians 2:9

Related Figures

Historical Bible Dictionaries

Smith's Bible Dictionary

called the Less because younger or smaller in stature than James the son of Zebedee. He was the son of Alpheus or Clopas and brother of our Lord (see above); was called to the apostolate, together with his younger brother Jude, in the spring of the year 28. At some time in the forty days that intervened between the resurrection and the ascension the Lord appeared to him. (1 Corinthians 15:7) Ten years after we find James on a level with Peter, and with him deciding on the admission of St. Paul into fellowship with the Church at Jerusalem; and from henceforth we always find him equal, or in his own department superior, to the very chiefest apostles, Peter, John and Paul. (Acts 9:27; Galatians 1:18,19) This pre-eminence is evident throughout the after history of the apostles, whether we read it in the Acts, in the epistles or in ecclesiastical writers. (Acts 12:17; 15:13,19; 21:18; Galatians 2:9) According to tradition, James was thrown down from the temple by the scribes and Pharisees; he was then stoned, and his brains dashed out with a fuller’s club.

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