James, James and James: In the Gospels we are introduced to three men names James. Two are disciples of Christ and the other is His brother. The two James who were disciples were with the Lord during his earthly ministry.
While James, the brother of Jesus, was not a believer in Jesus as the Messiah when Jesus was on earth. His brother James, did not come to believe in Jesus until after the crucifixion and resurrection of Him.
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve.
6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.
7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,
8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
James, son of Alphaeus
There is not a great amount known about the son of Alphaeus. He is referred to as “James the less,” or if you watch the television series “The Chosen,” he is “Little James.”
There are 10 references to him, but little else to go on. Some have said that this James was the brother of Christ, but that argument does not hold up, because James the brother of Jesus did not believe in His brother’s divinity while Jesus was alive.
The Apostle Paul had an encounter with this James, who wanted him to take a vow to continue his Jewish practices. James never left his Jewish practices and was known for his strictness to the law. Paul, ministering to gentiles, had no such dedication.
James, son of Zebedee
He is the brother of the Apostle John, and most likely the older brother. He worked as a fisherman, along with his father and brother. They also worked fishing with Simon (Peter).
He was an early follower of John the Baptist, but readily answered the call of the Lord to be disciples (Matthew 4:18-22). Jesus referred to James and John as the “Sons of Thunder,” because of their hot tempers.
James’ mother told the two brothers to ask Jesus if they could sit at His right and left side in the kingdom, a request that was met with a harsh rebuke. This James was a part of Jesus’ inner circle and was one of the disciples to go up on the Mount of Transfiguration to witness Jesus with Moses and Elijah.
James, brother of Jesus
It’s hard to be the younger brother of God. James was not a believer, and in fact, thought his brother’s earthly ministry was crazy. James was not buying it anything his half brother said. He was one of four brothers that followed after the birth of Jesus.
It was not until after the crucifixion that James became a believer. Jesus made a special visit to His brother and then the apostles. After this visit, James made an about face. After the death of James, son of Zebedee, an angel of the Lord released Peter from prison and gave instructions to go to James. James had established himself as a leader in the church.
The Book of James
The author does not identify himself, other than to say he is a “servant of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ.” So, which James wrote this book? Son of Zebedee? Son of Alphaeus? Son of Mary and Joseph and brother of Jesus? Maybe there is some other James’. After all, it was a common name.
We really don’t know, but the most prevalent belief is it was the brother of Jesus. The epistle of James is very Jewish in tone, which also points to Jesus’ brother. Through process of elimination it might become clearer.
The son of Alphaeus had very little written about him. The son of Zebedee was a part of the Lord’s inner circle, along with Peter and John.
Peter and John did write books of the Bible. However, this James was killed very early in the Christian movement and so, it may point to his not being the author.
We get a clue because he is writing to the “12 tribes scattered which are scattered abroad,” referencing those Jewish believers who went back to their homelands. The son of Zebedee who have died too early to know that.
Jesus’ brother James likely author
Many point to the brother of Jesus to be the author of the book. Perhaps his reluctance to embrace His brother’s true identity made his conversion all the much more dramatic. The Book of James is certainly written by someone who has a very bold story to tell. James went from doubting brother to ardent follower.