The Lord's Relations

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 7
MARY
Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James; Mark 16: i.
JAMES
James son of Alpheus; Matthew 10: 3.
On comparing these statements, there cannot, I think, be any doubt that Mary the mother of Jude, James and Joses, and " The other Mary," constantly associated with Mary Magdalene, are the same, nor that Mary the wife of Cleopas is also. Jude is brother of James, and James is son of Alpheus, alleged to be the same as Cleopas, and James (Jude) and Joses sons of Mary, I suppose wife of Cleopas. Thus the identity and connection of persons is evident. Mary called " The other Mary," the constant companion of Mary Magdalene, was wife of Cleopas and mother of James, Jude, Joses, and Simon, and these were immediate relations of Christ; whether by Cleopas or Mary does not appear. This does not affect the question as to Mary's having a family after the birth of Christ, nor her living with Joseph, of which I think Scripture leaves no doubt. But further, this would determine that James the Lord's brother is the apostle James the less, because James the Lord's brother is brother of Jude; Mark 6:33Is 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. (Mark 6:3). And James the apostle is Jude's brother; Luke 6:1616And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor. (Luke 6:16); and son of Alpheus. And, I think, from the place James holds in the Acts, and in the Galatians, it is the same James, and not another. For in Galatians it is " James the Lord's brother," and " Certain came from James "; and in Acts " Tell it to James," and James presides, in a sense, in Acts is. The absence of all addition in the case of James is the natural proof of his being the well known James.
It would have been quite incongruous to introduce the Lord's Name in an epistle, whereas " Jude (the brother) of James " was the distinctive name he had acquired in contrast with Iscariot; Luke 6:1616And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor. (Luke 6:16).