James son of Alphaeus
The Quiet Apostle Who Faithfully Followed
Name Information
- Meaning: "Supplanter" (James) — same root as Jacob
- Language of Origin: Hebrew
- Gender Usage: Masculine
James, the son of Alphaeus, was one of the Twelve Apostles. Though not much is recorded about him in Scripture, his faithful inclusion among the chosen twelve testifies to the value of quiet obedience. Sometimes referred to as 'James the Less,' he may have been physically smaller or younger than James son of Zebedee. While his ministry is not prominent in the Gospels, his life reflects the importance of steady discipleship and commitment to Christ.
⏰ 1st century AD
Roles
- Apostle
- Disciple
Relationships
- Father: Alphaeus
Story
Called by Jesus to be one of the Twelve.
Present during key moments such as the naming of the apostles (Luke 6), and likely present at Pentecost.
Though silent in the narrative, he faithfully followed and served.
Tradition holds he preached the Gospel after Christ’s ascension and was eventually martyred for his faith.
Spiritual Significance
- One of the original Twelve Apostles.
- Distinguished from James son of Zebedee by being called 'James the Less' (Mark 15:40).
- Often grouped with the lesser-known apostles, showing that prominence isn't the measure of faithfulness.
- Possibly related to Matthew (Levi), who is also called the son of Alphaeus (Mark 2:14).
What We Can Learn
- Faithfulness is not measured by fame or recognition.
- God uses those who are quiet and steady in their obedience.
- Even unnamed or lesser-known servants of Christ are deeply valued in His kingdom.
Memory Verses
These are the names of the twelve apostles: ... James son of Alphaeus...
— Matthew 10:2–3
Key Passages
- Matthew 10:2–4
- Mark 3:16–19
- Luke 6:12–16
- Acts 1:13
We do our best to ensure all content aligns with Scripture, using both AI tools and human review to validate accuracy. However, we’re human — if you notice any errors, please let us know at contact@bibleinshort.com.