Which one? Have you ever been in a room with too many people by the same name? Well, that happened all the time in Bible days. That's why you see them write the 'son of,' 'the father of,' 'of Galilee,' and so on.
There were several who were named James among the group who followed Jesus, with two of them being apostles.
This James was the son of Alphaeus. Alphaeus had to be a significant, respectable name worthy and familiar enough with the readers in that day to attached it to another name. Otherwise they would have picked some other way to identify this particular James.
Have you ever known someone who was always there, did their job quietly, listened at all the meetings and knew what was to be done and did it without asking a lot of stupid unnecessary questions? But they are not the ones recognized for their efforts? Others get the credit?
James was this way.
James the son of Alphaeus has nothing ill spoken of him specifically. He didn't ask questions that received mention in any of the gospels.
He isn't noted for spastic acts or standing out in the crowd.
He is a quiet worker who did not receive fanfare down here on earth. But by his death we know he did a well enough job trying to spread the news of the Messiah....After preaching in Palestine, he went to Egypt, more than likely to the Jewish settlements there, to tell them about Jesus and what he did for all of us. Only someone in one of those settlements didn't take too kindly to it and he was crucified there...martyrdom.
Where I tend to be the foot-in-the-mouth-question-asker and don't relate much to this quiet worker, I do know several who have this temperament. They are a blessing to know. I need to be more like this James.
You can read about the son of Alphaeus in the following verses: Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13
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