Amazon
Ads |
Biographical
Alphaeus is named as the father of the apostle James, who is generally identified with James the Less. It has been said that his name shares a root with the name 'Clopas', and there has been a sharp difference of opinion as to whether Alphaeus and Clopas, named as the husband of Mary of Clopas, are one and the same. The 2nd-century historian, Hegesippus, tells us that Cleophas (Clopas) was the brother of Joseph, father of Jesus. Furthermore, it has been argued that this Alphaeus and Alphaeus (1), the father of the apostle Matthew, are the same person. If this entire scenario were correct, the following family tree would apply:
| |
Alphaeus/Clopas = Mary of Clopas Joseph = Mary
| |
________|________ |
| | |
| | |
Apostle James/ Apostle Matthew Jesus
James the Less
Traditionally, it was widely accepted that Alphaeus and Clopas were the
same person, and in art, he was often depicted as Mary of Clopas' husband,
and both as the parents of the apostle James/James the Less.
© 2024 The Universal Compendium