James, son of Alphaeus, is one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, as listed in the Synoptic Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. He is often referred to as "James the Less" to distinguish him from James, the son of Zebedee, another of Jesus' apostles. The epithet "the Less" may refer to his stature, age, or the duration of his discipleship compared to James, son of Zebedee.

Biblical References:

James, son of Alphaeus, is mentioned in the following passages:

· Matthew 10:3 : "Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;"
· Mark 3:18 : "Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot,"
· Luke 6:15 : "Matthew and Thomas, James son of Alphaeus and Simon called the Zealot,"
· Acts 1:13 : "When they arrived, they went to the upper room where they were staying. Present were Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James."

Identity and Role:

James, son of Alphaeus, is a somewhat enigmatic figure in the New Testament, as the scriptures provide limited information about his life and ministry. His father, Alphaeus, is mentioned, but there is no further detail about his family or background. Some traditions suggest that he may be the same person as "James the Younger" mentioned in Mark 15:40, but this identification is not universally accepted.

James is often associated with the early Christian community in Jerusalem. However, the New Testament does not provide specific accounts of his actions or teachings. His role as an apostle would have involved spreading the teachings of Jesus and establishing the early Church, but the details of his missionary work remain largely unrecorded in the biblical text.

Tradition and Legacy:

Church tradition holds that James, son of Alphaeus, played a significant role in the early Church, although specific details are sparse. Some traditions suggest that he preached in various regions, including Egypt, where he is believed to have been martyred. However, these accounts are not found in the canonical scriptures and are derived from later Christian writings and traditions.

James, son of Alphaeus, is venerated as a saint in various Christian traditions, and his feast day is celebrated on different dates depending on the liturgical calendar of each tradition. Despite the limited biblical information, his inclusion among the Twelve Apostles underscores his importance in the foundational period of Christianity.

Theological Significance:

James, son of Alphaeus, represents the often unseen and unheralded work of the apostles in the early Church. His life and ministry, though not extensively documented, remind believers of the diverse roles and contributions of the apostles in spreading the Gospel. His example encourages Christians to remain faithful and diligent in their service to God, even when their efforts may not be widely recognized or recorded.