James, brother of Jesus

Lore & Background

James was a brother of Jesus, mentioned alongside Joses, Simon, Judas, and unnamed sisters in the Gospels. He was personally known to Paul, who listed him among those to whom the risen Christ appeared. Paul also referred to James, along with Peter and John, as one of the three pillars of the Church. James became the first bishop of Jerusalem, according to Clement of Alexandria, and presided over the Council of Jerusalem, where he delivered a decision regarding Gentile converts and the Mosaic Law. James was martyred, though the year and manner are disputed. Josephus records his death in 62 AD by stoning on the order of High Priest Ananus ben Ananus. Hegesippus places his death in 69 AD, stating he was thrown from the pinnacle of the Temple by scribes and Pharisees and then clubbed to death. The Jerusalem Church, under his leadership, escaped to Pella during the siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Catholic, Orthodox, and some Protestant traditions hold that James and the other named brothers were not biological children of Mary, but cousins or step-brothers. Others consider him a biological son of Mary and Joseph. He is sometimes identified with James, son of Alphaeus, and James the Less, but not with James, son of Zebedee (James the Great).

Reader's Guide

James the Just holds a significant place in early Christian history as a bridge between Jewish and Gentile Christian communities. As the leader of the Jerusalem Church, he represented the conservative Jewish Christian tradition that emphasized adherence to the Mosaic Law, in contrast to Paul's emphasis on faith. His role at the Council of Jerusalem, where he supported the decision not to require circumcision for Gentile converts while imposing certain prohibitions, helped shape the early Church's identity. Modern historians place him in the tradition of Jewish Christianity, and his martyrdom, recorded by both Josephus and Hegesippus, underscores his importance. The epithet 'the Just' reflects his reputation for outstanding virtue. His legacy is preserved in the Liturgy of St James, the oldest surviving Christian liturgy, which uses the epithet 'Brother of God.' The authenticity of Josephus's reference to James is almost universally accepted by scholars, making it a key extra-biblical source for the historical Jesus movement.

Did You Know?

• James was known by the epithet 'the Just' because of his outstanding virtue, according to Clement of Alexandria.
• Josephus records James's death by stoning in 62 AD on the order of High Priest Ananus ben Ananus.
• Hegesippus places James's death in 69 AD, stating he was thrown from the pinnacle of the Temple and then clubbed.
• The oldest surviving Christian liturgy, the Liturgy of St James, uses the epithet 'James the Brother of God.'

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