Jesus' brother, leader in the Jerusalem church
James
Named in 11 verses across 7 books, first in Matthew 13:55.
ἸάκωβοςJames
The name means “same as Jacob.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
About James Written by AI
James was one of the brothers of Jesus, along with Joses, Judas, and Simon (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3). During Jesus' ministry, James and his brothers did not believe in Him (John 7:5). However, after Jesus' resurrection, James became a believer and a prominent leader in the early church in Jerusalem. He was one of the individuals to whom Jesus appeared after His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:7). In the early church, James played a significant role in the Jerusalem Council, which addressed the issue of Gentile believers and the Mosaic Law (Acts 15:13 to 21). He also received Paul and his companions during their visits to Jerusalem (Acts 21:18; Galatians 1:19). James authored the New Testament epistle that bears his name, in which he emphasizes practical faith and good works (Jam 1.1). He is often referred to as "James the Just" due to his reputation for righteousness and his strict observance of the Jewish law. According to early church tradition, James was martyred in Jerusalem around 62 AD.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
This entry is on the name James, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.
(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.
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
Where the Bible names him
- Matthew 13:55
“Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t His mother’s name Mary, and aren’t His brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?
- Mark 6:3
Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? Aren’t His sisters here with us as well?” And they took offense at Him.
- Acts 12:17
Peter motioned with his hand for silence, and he described how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. “Send word to James and to the brothers,” he said, and he left for another place.
- Acts 15:13
When they had finished speaking, James declared, “Brothers, listen to me!
- Acts 21:18
The next day Paul went in with us to see James, and all the elders were present.
- 1 Corinthians 15:7
Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
- Galatians 1:19
But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.
- Galatians 2:9
And recognizing the grace that I had been given, James, Cephas, and John—those reputed to be pillars—gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised.
- Galatians 2:12
For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself, for fear of those in the circumcision group.
- James 1:1
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes of the Dispersion: Greetings.
- Jude 1:1
Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who are called, loved by God the Father, and kept in Jesus Christ:
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.