The Apostle James the Less

James the Less

The only thing Scripture says of this man is his name

Luke 6:14–16 “Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.”

Several named James in Scripture

James the Son of Zebedee

James the Son of Joseph and Mary

The brother of Jesus

A major leader of the Jerusalem Church

Spokesperson for the Jerusalem Council

The writer of the of the New Testament Epistle that bears his name

His mother’s name was Mary

Matthew 27:56 “among whom were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.”

Mark 16:1 “When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him.”

He had a brother named Joses

Mark 15:47 “Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.”

He was a very obscure individual whose nickname even reflected as such

Mark 15:40 “There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.”

The Greek for Less is “Mikros” and literally means Little

Primary interpretation is “small in stature”

Could also mean “young in age”

To avoid confusion this nickname could have been used as to not be confused with James the son of Zebedee

Another option is based on his influence. Clearly this James was less influential than James the son of Zebedee, a man known by the High Priest

A Testimony of Obscurity

He apparently sought no recognition

He displayed no great leadership

He asked no critical questions

He demonstrated no unusual insight

Hebrews 11:33–38 “who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.”

Eternity will reveal the names and testimonies of such individuals

Early Church history doesn’t have much to say about James as well

Some evidence suggests he took the Gospel as far as Syria and Persia

His death is debated:

Beaten to death

Stoned

Crucified

Whatever may have happened after Christ’s assension, James became a powerful preacher and Apostle

2 Corinthians 12:12 “The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works.”

His name will be inscribed on the heavenly foundation recorded in Revelation

Revelation 21:12–14 “It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed— on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”

Proverbs 22:1 “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.”

Things to think about

James could be the brother of Matthew

Mark 2:14 “And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.”

James could have been Jesus’ cousin

John 19:25 “but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.”

Mark 15:40 “There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.”

This man’s pedigree, lineage, previous employment are not significant or scripture would have revealed them to us.

He represents the majority of Christ followers:

Nameless, but still impactful for the Kingdom

Mark 10:29–31 “Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.””