Who is King James in the Bible and why was he called James the less?

King James the Lesser: An Understated Apostle of Jesus Christ

King James the Less is not likely to make the list of the most famous disciples of Jesus Christ. However, can we learn something important from his relative obscurity?

King James the Lesser, also known as James, son of Alphaeus, was one of Jesus Christ’s twelve apostles. Despite the scant information written or known about this apostle, James the Lesser was still called by Jesus to accompany Him throughout His ministry. He was chosen, commissioned, and later trusted to help lay the foundations of the Church.

Read more : Matthew: The Tax Collector Turned Apostle

Where is King James the Lesser mentioned in the Bible?

King James the Lesser is mentioned in the Gospels as one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13). Unfortunately, the only real information we have about James the Lesser is his name and family connections. Nonetheless, even this information can provide insights into his character and relationships.

James is noted in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and also in the Acts of the Apostles, as the son of Alphaeus.

Who was Alphaeus? Another man about whom we have very little information.

Some have pointed out that Matthew (the apostle and former tax collector) is referred to as “Levi son of Alphaeus” in Mark 2:14. Since the Bible never distinguishes between these names, it could suggest that James the Lesser and Matthew were brothers with the same father. Considering that Jesus also called two other sets of brothers (Peter and Andrew; James and John), it’s possible that James the Lesser and Matthew were brothers. However, this is never confirmed.

Mentioning James the Lesser’s father helps distinguish him from two other individuals with the same name in the Gospels: James, son of Zebedee, and James, son of Mary and the half-brother of Jesus. James, the brother of Jesus, later became a prominent leader in the Jerusalem church after Jesus’ ascension (Acts 15:13-21) and eventually wrote the Book of James.

Another interesting piece of information about James the Lesser is provided in the Gospel of Mark in the resurrection narrative (Mark 15:40). Here, we learn that James’ mother, also named Mary, was present at Jesus’ tomb along with Mary Magdalene and a woman named Salome. Matthew 27:56 and Mark 15:47 describe this Mary as the mother of James the Lesser and Joses (a known companion of Jesus, though not one of the twelve apostles). Mary was a faithful follower of Jesus who came with other women to prepare His body for burial (Mark 16:1).

According to the Gospel of John, the author mentions several women at the foot of the cross during Jesus’ crucifixion. These women included Jesus’ mother, Jesus’ aunt (Mary, wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene (John 19:25). Since Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of James and Joses, were present at Jesus’ tomb, it is possible that the Mary at the cross and the Mary at the tomb are the same person. If so, James the Lesser would be Jesus’ cousin.

Clopas could have been another name for Alphaeus, or perhaps Clopas became the stepfather of James the Lesser after Alphaeus’ death. Again, since the Bible does not explicitly tell us, we cannot be certain. But it is something to consider.

In any case, the focus of the Gospel writers was never on the lineage of the twelve apostles but on the power of Jesus Christ and the message of the Gospel that they were later entrusted to proclaim.

Why was he called James the Lesser?

There are two possible answers to why James, son of Alphaeus, was given the title “Lesser” in the Bible:

From one perspective, the Greek word used here means “small” or “short in stature.” Thus, the title “Lesser” for James could have been given because of his short height or small build. If this is correct, James might have been known as “James the Lesser” by his peers.

“Lesser” could also refer to James being younger than another person with the same name among the apostles. It’s even possible that “Lesser” was a way to distinguish James the Lesser from James, son of Zebedee, known for his boisterous and outspoken nature.

All these possibilities could simultaneously be true. However, what we ultimately know is that James the Lesser remained in the background for most of Jesus’ ministry.

James the Lesser’s Role in Jesus’ Ministry

To select the twelve apostles, Jesus Christ could not have chosen a group of young men with more diverse personalities. Some of these twelve naturally progressed to the forefront of attention, while others willingly followed in Jesus’ path without seeking to make their presence known.

Many Christians recognize the apostles through individual stories about them. For example, we remember Peter for walking on water, Thomas for doubting Jesus’ resurrection, and Judas Iscariot for betraying Jesus.

Indeed, we remember many apostles for their past, professions, or connections with other group members. For instance, Matthew was a former tax collector who became an apostle, Simon the Zealot was a former zealot, Andrew was Peter’s brother, and Philip and Nathanael were best friends.

Unfortunately, almost nothing is known about King James the Lesser besides his name. He is one of the few apostles without an independent mention in the Gospel narratives. No private conversations between him and Jesus Christ are recorded. Who he was before following Jesus remains unknown, and what he did after the resurrection has been lost over time.

Despite the limited information about King James the Lesser, it is noteworthy that Jesus Christ called him as one of His chosen apostles. He was trained, empowered, anointed as an apostle, sent to preach the Gospel, and given authority to teach in Jesus’ name, cast out evil spirits, and heal the sick (Mark 3:13-19, 6:7-13).

Like the other apostles, King James left everything to follow Jesus. He walked with Jesus, listened to His teachings, witnessed His miracles, and was present when Christ appeared to the apostles after the resurrection. He was likewise chosen to go into the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all the commandments Jesus had given them (Matthew 28:18-20).

The Unknown Fate of King James the Lesser After Jesus’ Ascension

After Jesus’ ascension to heaven, James the Lesser returned to the upper room with the other apostles, where they awaited the guidance of the Holy Spirit and devoted themselves to prayer and worship (Acts 1:12-26).

He was also present on the day of Pentecost, where the apostles received the Holy Spirit. New believers responded to the teachings he and the other apostles provided. Additionally, the signs and wonders performed by James the Lesser and the other apostles amazed many people (Acts 2; 1 Corinthians 12:12).

Unfortunately, beyond what has been said, there is little information about the life and ministry of Saint James the Lesser.

Like the other apostles, he undoubtedly spread the Gospel to the corners of the world. Some reports indicate that James may have preached in Syria and Iran after Jesus’ ascension. Accounts of his death also vary. Some reports suggest that James the Lesser was stoned, beaten to death, or crucified. Again, we cannot be certain of the accuracy of any of these accounts.

In any case, James the Lesser remained faithful to his Lord until the end and gave his life for the Gospel and the One who had called him by name to follow Him.

What Can We Learn from the Relative Obscurity of Saint James the Lesser?

Based on what we read in the Bible, James the Lesser does not seem to have been an extraordinary, flamboyant, or exceptional individual. He may be one of the most forgotten members of the twelve apostles. As one of Jesus’ disciples, he appears to be known primarily for his obscurity. Yet, James the Lesser was entrusted with the Gospel and chosen to help establish Christ’s Church, a legacy that endures to this day.

What can we learn from Saint James the Lesser and his relative obscurity?

God Looks at the Heart

Few people like to have their physical limitations, quiet demeanor, or smaller stature pointed out compared to their stronger, faster, bigger, and more outspoken companions. Of course, we don’t know if “James the Lesser” was used as a derogatory nickname to belittle or diminish James, just as we don’t know how he felt about his name, stature, or position among the twelve apostles.

Naturally, it seems that James the Lesser may have been overshadowed by some of the more fervent and outspoken members of the group, like Peter, James [likely James, son of Zebedee], and John. But what we do know is that while humans look at outward appearances, God always looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). What He found in James the Lesser was someone willing to follow and go. This was true for David, and it was the same for James the Lesser.

The Focus of the Gospel is on Christ, Not on the Saints or Apostles

Regarding the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, we know a lot from the Bible, but there is much more that we don’t know. Among these twelve men, we encounter entirely real humans, with obvious flaws and very ordinary lives, whom Jesus Christ called, empowered, and commissioned to do great things.

However, their individual stories should always point toward the larger narrative and the eternal legacy in the life, ministry, and mission of Jesus Christ. The significance of the apostles’ legacy lies not in their fame, but in their willingness to walk with Jesus. They spread the Good News, founded the Church, and served as the Holy Spirit guided.

After all, their work did not seek to exalt their individual lives or even the collective identity of the Church. Instead, they lived to exalt the name of Christ.

King James the Lesser: an Apostle and Disciple

The beautiful thing about being in the Body of Christ is that every member is called and gifted uniquely by God to fulfill a particular mission within His Kingdom. None of us are defined by or limited to our physical appearance, smallness, size, age, former life, relative obscurity, or by the world’s definition of greatness.

James the Lesser’s legacy reminds us that God calls each of us according to His purpose, knowing our capabilities and potential, and entrusting us with everything we need to accomplish His work.