James, the brother of Jesus, is mentioned several times in the New Testament and played an important role in the early Christian church. He was one of several brothers of Jesus mentioned in the Gospels, along with Joses, Judas, and Simon (Matthew 13:55, Mark 6:3). Though Catholic tradition holds that these “brothers” were actually cousins of Jesus, most modern scholars believe they were literal brothers, born of Mary and Joseph after the birth of Jesus.
James first appears by name when Paul mentions meeting “James, the Lord’s brother” when he visits Jerusalem after his conversion (Galatians 1:19). This implies that James was an important leader in the Jerusalem church. The next time James appears is at the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15, where he gives his judgment on the debate about Gentile converts and circumcision. Here James seems to have the final say in the dispute as the leader of the Jerusalem church. The early church father Hegesippus (2nd century) confirms the leadership role of James in Jerusalem.
A few clues in the New Testament suggest James likely did not believe in Jesus as the Messiah during Jesus’s earthly ministry but came to faith later, after the resurrection. John 7:5 tells us “even his own brothers did not believe in him.” 1 Corinthians 15:7 states that the risen Jesus appeared specifically to James, which may have led to James’s conversion. The fact that James then rose to leadership in the church implies he was respected and his judgment trusted despite being a skeptic earlier on.
James is mentioned one more time in Acts, when Paul visits Jerusalem again and reports to James and the elders there (Acts 21:18). This final mention confirms James was still the head of the Jerusalem church decades after Jesus’s earthly ministry.
Beyond the book of Acts, the only other place James is discussed is in Paul’s letter to the Galatians, where certain men “from James” cause trouble for Paul by influencing Peter not to eat with Gentiles (Galatians 2:11-12). This indicates James likely held very conservative, law-abiding Jewish-Christian views.
According to tradition outside the Bible, James was a pious man who prayed constantly. Hegesippus said he was called “James the Just” and that he lived as a Nazarite. As head of the Jerusalem church, James presided over the Jerusalem Council of Acts 15 and authored the letter of James in the New Testament. He was martyred around AD 62 by being thrown off the pinnacle of the temple, then stoned to death.
James serves as an important reminder that having doubts need not exclude us from faith. Despite his earlier skepticism, James came to believe in his brother Jesus after the resurrection and went on to become a pillar of the early church. He was known for his fair-mindedness, integrity, and zeal for God.
Though often overshadowed by other apostles like Peter and Paul, James provides a model of quiet, unassuming leadership. He valued unity, moderation, and obedience to God’s law while remaining open to the inclusion of Gentiles into the growing Christian church. His central role shows that the home community of Jesus in Jerusalem accepted the new faith and links the early apostles to those who knew Jesus during his earthly life.
Key References to James in the New Testament
Here are some of the key passages in the New Testament that mention James, the brother of Jesus:
- Matthew 13:55 – Lists James as one of the brothers of Jesus.
- Mark 6:3 – Another reference listing James as the brother of Jesus.
- John 7:5 – Notes that “not even his brothers believed in him,” likely including James.
- Acts 1:14 – The brothers of Jesus, including James, among the believers after the resurrection.
- Acts 12:17 – Peter tells the believers to report news to James after his escape from prison.
- Acts 15:13-21 – James gives judgment at the Jerusalem Council and sends a letter to Gentile believers.
- Acts 21:18 – Paul visits James in Jerusalem, who is head of the church there.
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-7 – James is mentioned as one of the witnesses to the resurrected Jesus.
- Galatians 1:19 – Paul meets James, the Lord’s brother, when visiting Jerusalem.
- Galatians 2:9 – James, along with Peter and John, are pillars of the Jerusalem church.
James’s Family and Background
James was the son of Mary and Joseph and brother to Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus also had three other named brothers: Joses, Judas, and Simon (Mark 6:3). James and his brothers grew up in Nazareth in Galilee. Like Jesus, James would have learned a trade from his father Joseph, likely carpentry. The family were devout Jews who regularly traveled to Jerusalem for religious feasts.
Ancient historian Josephus described James as being righteous and pious from his youth. The apocryphal Gospel of the Hebrews said James often fasted and prayed in the temple, perhaps taking a Nazarite vow. James likely remained at home with his brothers and mother after Jesus began his public ministry around the age of 30.
John 7:5 notes that during Jesus’s ministry, “not even his brothers believed in him.” So like others in Nazareth (Mark 6:4), James apparently did not accept Jesus as the Messiah at that time. But he evidently came to believe in Jesus later, possibly after the resurrection. The risen Jesus specifically appeared to James (1 Corinthians 15:7), perhaps instrumental in his conversion.
James in the Early Church
After James came to faith in Jesus, he quickly rose to a prominent leadership role in the Jerusalem church. When the apostle Paul first visits Jerusalem several years after his conversion, he meets with Peter and also “James, the Lord’s brother” (Galatians 1:19). This indicates James was an important leader in the church by this time.
When Christians from Judea began insisting that Gentile believers must be circumcised, Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem to discuss the issue. At the resulting Jerusalem Council (Acts 15), James exercises final authority in the dispute, recommending Gentile believers not be troubled with circumcision but only asked to abstain from certain foods.
James likely supported maintaining Jewish customs more than leaders like Paul and Peter did. In Galatians 2, some men “from James” influencing Peter to separate from eating with Gentiles seems to reflect James’s conservatism regarding the law. But James was open to fellowship between Jewish and Gentile believers, as seen in his solution at the Jerusalem Council.
When Paul visits Jerusalem again later in Acts 21, he reports specifically to James and the elders, indicating James is still head of the church some 20-30 years after Jesus’s earthly ministry. The first-century Jewish historian Josephus reported that James was martyred around AD 62 by being thrown down from the pinnacle of the temple, then stoned to death by the Pharisees.
The Letter from James
The letter from James in the New Testament is traditionally attributed to James, the brother of Jesus. The plain Greek style and focus on works of righteousness and a coming judgment fit what we know of James’s character from Acts. He emphasizes perservering faith, controls one’s speech, and care for widows and orphans (James 1:27) along with other moral exhortations.
Key themes in the letter of James include:
- Persevering steadfastly during trials (1:2-4)
- Humbly living out the Word, not just hearing it (1:22-25)
- Showing no favoritism or partiality towards people (2:1-13)
- Demonstrating active faith through good works (2:14-26)
- Controlling speech and the tongue (3:1-12)
- Submitting to God’s will with humility (4:7-10)
- Not boasting about the future but submitting to God’s plan (4:13-17)
- Persevering patiently until Christ’s return (5:7-11)
- Praying and confessing sins to one another (5:13-16)
The emphasis on works matches the Jewish piety of James described in Acts. His authoritative style suggests it was written before AD 62 and his martyrdom. So the letter represents some of the earliest theology of one of Jesus’s own family members and an important church leader.
James as an Example of Faith
James sets an example of growing from skepticism to sincere faith after encountering the risen Christ. Despite his earlier doubts, the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus convinced James that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. James is an illustration that skepticism need not prevent someone from coming to genuine faith.
Once convinced, James became zealous for righteousness within the fledgling Christian church. His conversion lent early credibility to the claims of Jesus’s divinity since those closest to Jesus acknowledged him as Lord after initially doubting. Even Jesus’s own unbelieving family came to recognize him as the Messiah.
James took on a prominent leadership role in the Jerusalem church. He exercised careful judgment, such as at the Jerusalem Council regarding Gentile inclusion. While maintaining Jewish identity and customs, James welcomed fellowship with Gentile believers. He modeled unity across difference for the sake of the gospel mission.
As a bridge between Jewish Christianity and the wider emerging church, James provided continuity and stability in the aftermath of Jesus’s dramatic ministry. His ongoing leadership decades later in Jerusalem ensured the new faith took root in the heart of Judaism. James is an often overlooked example of quiet, steady leadership in the early church.
Despite once disbelieving, James came to faith after encountering his risen brother. He grew into a respected leader and shaped early church practice regarding works, speech, and care for the marginalized. James exemplifies openness to conversion despite earlier doubts and the keys to faithful perseverance in the Word.
Significance of James for Understanding Early Christianity
As the brother of Jesus who became a central church leader, James is a significant figure for several reasons:
- He demonstrates the resurrection convinced even skeptics: James came to faith after doubting, showing the resurrection impacted Jesus’s own family.
- He lent authority to the early church: As Jesus’s brother, James provided continuity and authority to the new Jesus movement in Jerusalem.
- He represented Judean Jewish Christianity: James anchored the young church among traditional Judaism in a very Jewish form of the faith.
- He advocated Jewish law yet welcomed Gentiles: James supported maintaining the law yet endorsed fellowship with uncircumcised Gentile believers.
- He exercised prominent leadership: James was the clear, respected leader of the Jerusalem church from an early point after Jesus’s death.
- His letter communicates early theology: The New Testament letter from James reflects some of the earliest Christian theology.
For these reasons, James occupies an important place in early church history as the brother of Jesus who became a pillar of the fledgling Christian movement. His story and contributions deepen our understanding of the struggles, growth, and leadership of the first generation of believers who followed Jesus.
Conclusion
James, as the brother of Jesus who became a leader in the Jerusalem church, fills an important role in the New Testament and early Christian history. Though skeptical during Jesus’s ministry, encounters with the risen Christ convinced James that Jesus was the Messiah. James came to be the primary authority in the Jerusalem church and pioneered local Jewish Christianity.
The New Testament letters of James encapsulate early theology on faith, works, speech, and ethics. James modeled openness to changing one’s beliefs while maintaining steadfast conviction once converted. He exemplified conciliatory leadership that welcomed Gentile believers without compromising Jewish identity.
Far from remaining a doubter, James fulfilled a central part in the unfolding story of the early church. His story illustrates the power of the resurrection to transform sceptics into leaders who shape history. James stands as an exemplar of humility, wisdom, and faithfulness to Christ amidst the challenges of leading and growing a young, vibrant religious movement in its formative decades.