Three Men Named James

Q

Was Jesus’ half-brother, James, one of the original 12 apostles? Paul mentions James in Galatians 1 as being an established apostle early on in Paul’s ministry; but which James is he in the list of the original 12 if indeed he was one of them?

A

The Lord’s half brother James (Matt.13:55) was not one of the original disciples and probably didn’t become a believer until after the resurrection. There were two other men named James in the original group of 12 disciples. One was the brother of John and a son of Zebedee. The other was a son of Alpheus (Matt. 10:2-4).