There were two disciples named James in the Bible: James, son of Zebedee, and James, son of Alphaeus (often referred to as James the Less). Since James, son of Zebedee, is the more prominent and well-known, let's focus on him first.
James, Son of Zebedee (Also Known as James the Greater):
* Brother of John: James was the brother of the Apostle John, often mentioned alongside him. They were both sons of Zebedee and likely worked as fishermen with their father on the Sea of Galilee.
* Part of the Inner Circle: James was one of Jesus' closest disciples, forming part of an "inner circle" with Peter and John. This trio was present at significant events that the other disciples were not, such as:
* The Transfiguration of Jesus.
* The raising of Jairus' daughter from the dead.
* Jesus' agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.
* Fiery Temper (Boanerges): Jesus nicknamed James and John "Boanerges," meaning "Sons of Thunder" (Mark 3:17). This suggests they had a passionate and perhaps fiery temperament. An example of this is when they wanted to call down fire from heaven to destroy a Samaritan village that refused to welcome Jesus (Luke 9:51-56). Jesus rebuked them for this.
* Ambitious: James and John (or their mother on their behalf) asked Jesus for positions of honor in his kingdom (Mark 10:35-45). This illustrates a desire for power and prominence, which Jesus addressed by emphasizing the importance of service and humility.
* Early Martyr: James was the first of the twelve apostles to be martyred. He was put to death by King Herod Agrippa I around 44 AD (Acts 12:2). This highlights his commitment to his faith, even unto death.
In summary, James, son of Zebedee, was characterized by:
* Closeness to Jesus: Part of the inner circle, witnessing key events.
* Passion/Fiery Temperament: Nicknamed "Son of Thunder."
* Ambition: Desired positions of power in Jesus' kingdom.
* Dedication: Remained committed to Jesus and was the first apostle martyred.
James, Son of Alphaeus (James the Less):
* Little is Known: Far less information is available about James, son of Alphaeus. He is mentioned in the lists of the apostles (Matthew 10:3, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:15, Acts 1:13), but no specific stories or teachings are attributed to him in the Gospels.
* Possible Relatives: Some traditions identify him as the brother of Matthew the tax collector (since Matthew is also listed as a son of Alphaeus in Mark 2:14, though this identification is debated). Others identify him with "James the Less" mentioned in Mark 15:40.
* "The Less": The designation "the Less" likely refers to his physical stature (shorter) or perhaps his age relative to James, son of Zebedee, rather than his importance.
In summary, James, son of Alphaeus, is characterized by:
* Obscurity: Little is known about his life or ministry.
* Faithfulness: Despite the lack of information, he remained a dedicated apostle.
It is important to note that while we can glean some insights into the personalities of the disciples based on biblical accounts, there is still much that remains unknown. The Gospels primarily focus on their role in following Jesus and spreading his message.