James, brother of the Lord
Also: James of Jerusalem, James the Just
A central figure of the first Christian community in Jerusalem. Acts shows him as one of its main leaders.
- Knew Jesus personally
- Early Church
- Linked to a book of the Bible· according to tradition
- Martyr· according to tradition
Awaiting theological review
What we know — and how
Scripture tells us
- The risen Jesus appeared to him; Paul met him in Jerusalem and calls him a pillar; he spoke decisively at the Council of Jerusalem.(1 Corinthians 15:7; Galatians 1:19; Galatians 2:9; Acts of the Apostles 15:13–21)
Tradition holds
- The Catholic Church has always understood the brothers and sisters of Jesus mentioned in Scripture not as other children of the Virgin Mary but as close relatives (CCC 500).Source: CCC 500 — Church teaching (Magisterium)
- The Letter of James is traditionally attributed to him; Josephus records his death by stoning in Jerusalem around AD 62.Source: Tradition; Josephus, Antiquities 20.200 — locator pending review
Historians debate
- Whether he is the same person as James son of Alphaeus, one of the Twelve — an identification made by some in the Western tradition.
Key passages