The disciple “James the less” is mentioned only eight times in the New Testament. Four of those times his name is in a list of the twelve apostles of Jesus. Another four times, he’s mentioned in connection with his family.        Nothing is recorded about what he did, said thought, or wrote.

He was a son of Alphaeus. Levi (Matthew) also had and Alphaeus as his father, and it’s possible that they were  brothers, but we’re not told that. Other name coincidences suggest that the mother of this James may have been a sister-in-law of Jesus’ mother, Mary.

None of these possibilities gives even a hint to any events in James’s life. But who could deny that God greatly favored this man in calling him to learn under Jesus’ teaching? No doubt he taught others what he learned while going about a quiet life. While God has called all believers to proclaim the good news that Jesus, the Son of God, paid the debt of our sins, we’re not all called to be pastors, evangelists, or missionaries. He has told most of us to tell that good news as we go about our daily living.

Mark 15:40 KJV- There were  also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome.