Zebedee’s son. His calling, Mat 4:21; Mark 1:19; Luke 5:10; in the house of Jairus, Mark 5:37; Luke 8:51; at the transfiguration, Mat 17:1; Mark 9:2; Luke 9:28; in Gethsemane, Mat 26:37; Tue 14:33; his martyrdom, Acts 12:2.
Jacob (Gr. lákí‡bos, “supplanter”; from Heb. Yaaq^b, Jacob). At least 4 people mentioned in the NT bore this name: 2 of the Twelve (a son of Zebedee and a son of Alphaeus); a brother of Jesus; and the father of Judas, one of the Twelve. One of the early leaders of the Jerusalem church was named James, as was the author of an epistle, although these have generally been identified with either the son of Alphaeus or the brother of Jesus. Possibly “James the Less” (Mar 15:40) should be similarly identified. 1. Son of Zebedee and brother of John (Mat 4:21). The 2 brothers were formally called to discipleship at the same time as the calling of Peter and Andrew (Mat 4:18-22; Luk 5:10). Nothing is known of James’ life or background prior to his calling by the sea at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee. He was undoubtedly a Galilean by birth. That Zebedee had hired help (Mar 1:20) implies that the family had a comfortable financial position; and that his brother Juan de el was known by the high priest and therefore had easy access to the house on the night of the betrayal (Joh 18:16), also implies a good social position. With Peter and John, James was part of the inner circle that, on numerous occasions, enjoyed a closer association with Jesus than the other disciples; apparently because they better understood (and entered more into) the spirit of his mission on earth (Mar 3:17; 9:2; 13:3; 14:33). It has been inferred that James was the older of the 2 brothers, because he is usually named first when both are mentioned (1:19; etc.). The occasional mention of John first (Luk 9:28), can certainly be attributed to John’s greater prominence as a disciple and later as an apostle. The nickname Boanerges, interpreted as “sons of thunder,” which Jesus applied to James and John (Mar 3:17), evidently characterized them as naturally impetuous in disposition, quick to take offense (Luk 9:54, 55) and to offend to others (Mar 10:41). James was present at the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law shortly after the calling by the sea (1:29-31), and a few weeks or months later he was ordained as one of the Twelve (3:17). Later, during the ministry in Galilee, he witnessed the resurrection of Jairus’ daughter (5:37), and was with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration during the period when Jesus retired from public ministry (9:2- 8). On the last trip from Galilee, James and John, upset by the open hostility of certain Samaritan populations who refused to give hospitality to Jesus and his disciples, proposed the destruction of a village by fire, and Jesus rebuked them (Luk 9: 51 -56). On the way to Jerusalem, James and John incurred the displeasure of the disciples by asking for positions of honor in the kingdom they supposed Jesus would soon establish, and again they suffered the Master’s rebuke (Mark 10:32, 35-45). With Peter, John, and Andrew, James was on the Mount of Olives during the Savior’s discourse about the signs of his coming (13:3, 4), and in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night of Jesus’ betrayal (14 :33). In addition to these instances where he is mentioned by name, his presence is assumed on the other occasions when the Twelve are referred to as a group. James was the 1st of the Twelve to suffer martyrdom, as he was assassinated (beheaded) by Herod Agrippa I (c AD 44), not long before the king’s death (Acts 12:1, 2). Thus, James figuratively drank the cup that he and John once unwisely said they were capable of drinking (Mark 10:39). 2. Son of Alphaeus, clearly identified 4 times, always as one of the Twelve (Mat 10:3; Mar 3:18; Luk 6:15; Act 1:13). Nothing else is known for certain about him. Since Levi Matthew was also the son of a man named Alphaeus (Mat 9:9), it is not impossible that he and James were brothers. Matthew (Mat 10:3) and Mark (Mar 3:18) place this James with Lebeo Tadeo, while Luke (Lk 6:15; Act 1:13), whose lists do not include a disciple by that name, puts him together with Simon the Zealot. 3. Brother of the Lord, named 1st and thus presumably the oldest of Jesus’ brothers (Mat 13:55; Mar 6:3), the others being Joseph (Mat 13:55), Simon and Judas. As “James the younger,” he had a brother named Joseph (Matt 27:56). In Ga. 1:19, Paul refers to “James the brother of the Lord” as one of the “apostles” he saw in Jerusalem on his 1st visit to the city 3 years after his conversion. Other than these references, this James is not clearly mentioned anywhere else. However, it is commonly believed that he is to be identified with the prominent Jerusalem church leader named several times in Acts and Galatians. This James is no doubt included elsewhere with the “brothers of the Lord”, as in Joh 7:5 and Act 1:14 The “brothers” of the Lord seem not to have believed in Jesus as the Messiah during his earthly life and ministry (Mat 12:46, 47; Joh 7:5), but they are mentioned as parishioners at Pentecost, 10 days after the ascension (Acts 1:14). Since the 601 “brothers” of the Lord are mentioned in company with Mary, the mother of Jesus (Mat 12:46, 47; Luk 8:19; Joh 2:12), and because they assumed the right to direct their ministry on various occasions (Mat 12:46, 47; Joh 7:3), it can be assumed that they were his older half-brothers, sons of Joseph from a previous marriage. See Brothers of Jesus; James 6, 7. 4. Son of a certain Mary. He is described as “the youngest” (in years or in stature), with a brother named Joseph. He is mentioned only in Mat 27:56, Mar 15:40 and Luk 24:10, as the son of one of the Marys who were present at Jesus’ crucifixion and visited his tomb. James, the brother of our Lord, also had a brother named Joseph (Matt 13:55), but it would seem strange that Mary, the mother of the Lord, was identified on that occasion as the mother of someone other than the Savior Himself (cf. John 19:25-27). According to tradition (Eusebius and F. Josephus), he was stoned to death. Some identify James “the younger” with James son of Alphaeus, but this identification also remains in the field of doubt. See Mary 5. 5. Father (not “brother”) of Judas (not Iscariot), one of the Twelve (Luk 6:16). Unless he was the brother of Judas, author of the epistle of that name (Jud_1), we know nothing about him. 6. Leader of the Jerusalem church. In the book of Acts (12:17; 15:13; 21:18) and in 2 epistles of Paul (1Co 15:7; Gal. 2:9, 12) a James is mentioned who was an outstanding leader of the Jerusalem church, apparently the head of the board of elders. He is mentioned 1st in this capacity shortly after the death of James, brother of John (c AD 44; Acts 12: 2, 17). Later, as moderator of the Jerusalem Council (c AD 49), in which he summarized the arguments presented and announced the decision (15:13). By AD 58, this James still held his prominent position in Jerusalem, when Paul reported on his ministry among the Gentiles and delivered the donation they sent to the poor Christians in Jerusalem (Acts 21: 17-20 ). This church leader is always mentioned in such a way that it is evident that both Luke and Paul considered him sufficiently well known that they did not need to introduce him to their readers. In Ga. 1:19 Paul speaks of seeing “James the brother of the Lord” on the occasion of his 1st visit to Jerusalem after his conversion, and a few verses later (2:9, 12) he refers to him as one of the 3 “columns” of the local church, without further identifying him, taking his identity for granted. James, the ruler of Jerusalem, appears to have been a conservative Jewish Christian who adhered closely to the rites of Judaism and firmly believed that Jewish believers should do the same (Acts 21:20; Gal. 2:12), but he took a position liberal on the subject with respect to Gentile converts (Acts 15:13, 19). From very early on it was generally believed that James, the leader of the Jerusalem church, was James the brother of our Lord. 7. Author of the Epistle of James, who identifies himself simply as “a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (1:1). Many believe that he was James, the Lord’s brother, but there is no sure Biblical evidence to prove or deny it. That the author did not consider it necessary to identify himself in any other way presupposes that he was well known to his likely readers, “the twelve tribes that are scattered” (1:1). Of the other persons of the same name in the NT, only the son of Alphaeus and the brother of the Lord seem to be possible candidates. The weight of the evidence seems to lean in favor of the latter.
Source: Evangelical Bible Dictionary
This name is mentioned 38 times in the NT, mostly in the Synoptic Gospels. Some scholars point out that the same only refers to two or three different people.
1. James the son of Zebedee, was a fisherman from Galilee who was called to be one of the 12 apostles, at the same time as his brother John (Mat 4:21; Mark 1:19-20). James, John and Simon (Peter), a trio that somehow rose to prominence among the disciples, often find themselves in the midst of important events, for example: when Jairus’ daughter was resurrected (Mar 5:37; Luk 8:51), at the Transfiguration (Mat 17:1; Mar 9:2; Luk 9:28), on the Mount of Olives (Mar 13:3), and in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mat 26 :37; Mar 14:33). James and John had previously accompanied Jesus to the home of Simon and Andrew (Mar 1:29).
Jesus named James and John as Boa-nerges (sons of thunder; Mark 3:17). They manifested a certain presumption and being a bit short-sighted (Mar 9:38; Mar 10:35ff; Luk 9:49-50, Luk 9:54; compare Mat 20:20ff). James’s name is not mentioned at all in the fourth Gospel.
James was executed by Herod Agrippa I, more or less in the year 44 AD. JC (Act 12:2), and he is the first of the 12 whose martyrdom is mentioned in the NT.
2. James, the son of Alphaeus. Another of the apostles (Mat 10:3; Mar 3:18; Luk 6:15; Act 1:13). Since Levi (or Matthew) is also described as the son of Alphaeus (Mar 2:14), he and James may have been brothers.
3. James the Less, the son of a woman named Mary (Mat 27:56; Mark 15:40; Luk 24:10) who may have been the wife (or daughter) of Cleopas.
4. James, the brother of Jesus. The only two times he is referred to in the Gospels is in conjunction with his brothers Joseph, Simon, and Judas (Mat 13:55; Mar 6:3). He saw the risen Christ (1Co 15:7), became one of the leaders of the Judeo-Christian church in Jerusalem (Act 12:17; Act 15:19ff.; Act 21:18; Gal 2:9), and he is regarded as the author of the epistle that bears his name (Jam 1:1. See note in RVA).
According to Hegesippus (c. AD 180…