James, one of the lesser-known apostles of Jesus Christ, is identified in the New Testament as the brother of Judas (not Iscariot). This James is distinct from James the son of Zebedee and James the son of Alphaeus, both of whom are also apostles. The identification of James as the brother of Judas is found in the listing of the apostles in the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles.

Biblical References and Identity

In Luke 6:16, the Berean Standard Bible lists the apostles: "Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor." Here, the phrase "Judas son of James" is often understood to mean "Judas, brother of James," due to the Greek usage of the term "son" which can also imply a familial relationship such as a brother. This interpretation is supported by the parallel listing in Acts 1:13 : "When they arrived, they went to the upper room where they were staying: Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas son of James."

Role and Ministry

James, as one of the Twelve Apostles, was chosen by Jesus to be part of His inner circle of followers. The apostles were given the mission to preach the Gospel, heal the sick, and cast out demons (Mark 3:14-15). Although the New Testament does not provide extensive details about the individual activities of James, his inclusion among the Twelve signifies his importance in the early Christian community and his role in the foundational period of the Church.

Theological Significance

The apostles, including James, were instrumental in the spread of Christianity following the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. They were witnesses to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and their testimony laid the groundwork for the Christian faith. James, as the brother of Judas (also known as Thaddaeus or Lebbaeus), shared in this apostolic mission, contributing to the establishment of the early Church.

Tradition and Legacy

While the New Testament does not provide further details about the life and ministry of James after the events recorded in Acts, early Christian tradition holds that the apostles dispersed to various regions to spread the Gospel. Some traditions suggest that James, like many of the apostles, faced martyrdom for his faith, although specific accounts of his later life and death are not well-documented in historical sources.

James, the brother of Judas, remains a figure of faithfulness and dedication among the apostles. His inclusion in the lists of the Twelve underscores the diversity and unity of the early followers of Christ, each contributing uniquely to the mission of the Church.Luke 6:16
And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.
Nave's Topical Index

Jude 1:1
Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:
Nave's Topical Index

The Progress of the Gospel from the Death of Christ to the Death ...
... partially [67:1] lost its original significance; and hence, when an apostle died,
the ... We find accordingly that when Herod "killed James, the brother of John ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter iv the progress of.htm

After Prayer Jesus Selects Twelve Apostles.
... and his brother Jude (who also must not be confounded with Judas Thadd??us, the apostle)
wrote the epistle which bears his name. We do not know the James who ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xli after prayer jesus selects.htm

The General Epistle of Jude
... "Judas, a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James ... We can be sure that the James
here mentioned is the James who acted ... The writer cannot be the Apostle Jude ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter xxiv the general epistle.htm

Introduction
... that it was composed by James the brother of Jesus ... Lord Jesus Christ,' as an allusion
to James the apostle. ... as lack of deeds in religion, and James now proceeds ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/introduction.htm

The General Epistle of James
... brother. We conclude, therefore, that James, the brother of the Lord and
the author of this Epistle, was not an apostle. There ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the general epistle of james.htm

James the Brother of the Lord.
... the Virgin Mary, and identifies James, the brother of the ... with James the son of Alphaeus
and James the Little ... him (as well as also Simon and Jude) an apostle. ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 27 james the brother.htm

Acts of the Holy Apostle Thomas.
... and Simon the Canan??an; and Judas of James; [2313] "and ... And the apostle stood, and
began to pray and speak ... not Judas, who also is Thomas; I am his brother. ...
/.../unknown/acts of the holy apostle thomas/acts of the holy apostle.htm

The Disciples of Our Saviour.
... Both of these theories agree in distinguishing James, the brother of the Lord, from
James, the son of Alph??us, the apostle, and thus assume at least ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xii the disciples of our.htm

The Catholic Epistles.
... was the James who is named with Joses, Simon, and Judas, as one ... elsewhere cites it
as that of "James the Lord's brother," "the apostle James," "the apostle ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxi the catholic epistles.htm

Causes of Corruption Chiefly Intentional.
... four times, as Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon;'"jealous doubtless for the honour
of his brother Apostle, Jude (Ioudas) the brother of James [227] ': and ...
/.../chapter ix causes of corruption.htm

Who was the King James that the King James Version of the Bible is named after? | GotQuestions.org

What can we learn from what the Bible says about James the apostle? | GotQuestions.org

Summary of the Book of James - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

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