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Scripture Topic Guide

Bible Verses About James The Brother Of The Lord

Early Christian writings usually treat James as the Lord’s brother, and some also link him with leadership in Jerusalem. Origen, Irenaeus, and the Apostolic Constitutions all identify James in close relation to Jesus and the Jerusalem church, while the Gospels and Acts passages in the Bible cards place James among Jesus’ brothers and later as a leading speaker. The evidence is broad for James as Jesus’ brother and a major church figure, but thinner on a full biography and mixed on exact family details.

A few later writers also repeat traditions about James that are not all equally clear or independent.

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Early Christian Beliefs About James The Brother Of The Lord

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1 Galatians 1:19 2 Acts 15:13 3 James 1:1 4 Jude 1:1 5 1 Corinthians 15:7 6 Matthew 13:55 7 Mark 6:3 8 James 2:1 9 Luke 6:16 10 Acts 12:2

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17 references

Foundation Texts

Galatians 1:19 primary

But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.

Explicitly calls James the Lord's brother

Acts 15:13

And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:

James speaks at the Jerusalem council

Supporting Passages

James 1:1

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

Direct Bible identification of James as the Lord's brother

Jude 1:1

Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

Identifies Jude as brother of James, supporting family relation context

1 Corinthians 15:7

After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

Indirect post-resurrection appearance to James

Matthew 13:55

Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

Directly lists James among Jesus' brethren

Mark 6:3

Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

Direct Gospel list of Jesus' brothers including James

James 2:1

My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

General letter opening with 'brothers' but not about James

Luke 6:16

And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.

James in Luke as a name in a list, but not the topic James explicitly

Acts 12:2

And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

About James the brother of John, not the Lord's brother

James 1:9

Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:

James 1:9 is not about James the person

Acts 1:14

These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

Shows Jesus' brothers among believers after resurrection

Luke 8:21

And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.

Jesus' brothers as hearers of the word, not James-specific

Matthew 13:56

And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?

Lists James among Jesus' brothers

John 7:3

His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.

Jesus' brothers in John, but no James named in excerpt

Matthew 12:49

And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

Jesus' brethren generally, but no James named

Luke 8:19

Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press.

Mentions Jesus' brothers without naming James