Alphaeus is a name mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible, significant because he is identified as the father of two individuals who became Apostles of Jesus Christ. Beyond this paternal connection to two key figures, the Scriptures provide no other personal details about him.
Alphaeus in Scripture
Alphaeus is referenced in the Gospels and the Book of Acts as the father of two men who were called to be part of the Twelve Apostles:
- James the son of Alphaeus
- Matthew 10:3 (KJV): “Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;”
- He is consistently listed among the Twelve (Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13). He is often referred to by tradition as James the Less (Mark 15:40) to distinguish him from James, the son of Zebedee.
- Levi the son of Alphaeus
- Mark 2:14 (KJV): “And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.”
- This Levi is generally identified as the Apostle Matthew (who is referred to as the “publican” in Matthew 10:3).
The Question of Identity
A point of scholarly discussion is whether the Alphaeus who fathered James is the same man who fathered Levi (Matthew).
- The Argument for Unity: It is highly plausible that they are the same person, which would make the Apostles James and Matthew biological brothers. The simple fact that two Apostles share a father of the same name supports this.
- The Argument for Distinction: However, the Evangelists do not explicitly name James and Levi as brothers, which they do for Peter and Andrew, and James and John (sons of Zebedee). Also, James and Matthew are never grouped together in the apostolic lists. Therefore, while often assumed to be one man, biblical texts do not definitively state the father of James and the father of Levi were the same person.
Traditional Association with Clopas
Another traditional, though uncertain, identification connects Alphaeus with Clopas.
- Some traditions and early church fathers suggest that Alphaeus is an alternate Greek or Aramaic form of the name Clopas (or Cleophas), who is mentioned in John 19:25 (KJV) as the husband of one of the women standing near the cross: “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.”
- If Alphaeus and Clopas are the same, then Alphaeus’ wife, Mary, was the sister-in-law of the Virgin Mary, making the Apostle James a cousin of Jesus Christ. This identification, however, cannot be confirmed from the text of the KJV.
Prophetic Hotspot: The Least of the Apostles
The Apostle James the son of Alphaeus is perhaps the most obscure of the Twelve, mentioned only in the lists of the Apostles. This obscurity is, in itself, a testament to God’s methodology. He chose not only the prominent, like Peter and John, but also the less visible, like Alphaeus’ son James, whose faithful service was no less integral to the foundation of the early Church. This highlights that God’s plan is built on the quiet faithfulness of all His called, not just those who receive the most public recognition.
The Return Question: The Call of the Unexpected
Question for Discussion: Alphaeus is remarkable because two of his sons—a tax collector (Matthew) and James the Less—were chosen to be Apostles. The prophetic message of the Lord’s Return emphasizes that Christ will gather His faithful from all walks of life. How does the calling of two Apostles from the single household of Alphaeus, particularly from the despised profession of tax-gathering, serve as a type and shadow that the Lord will call and empower the unexpected and the obscure, fulfilling His purpose in the final, great ingathering?