The Apostles - revisted

[B-A-C]

For no particular reason, I feel compelled to start with James the less.

There were of course two apostles named James. More frequently we hear of James and John the sons of Zebedee.
A quick search in the NASB New Testament returns 38 verses with the name James in them. However at least 11 eleven
of these specifically mention James the son of Zebedee. But let's talk about "the other James" also known as "James the less".

In Matt 10:3; , Mark 3:18; and Luke 6:15; he is called James "the son of Alphaeus".
Matt 10:3; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;

Many believe James to be Jesus' half brother.
We do know that Mary had a son named James. In fact in Matt 13:55; it mentions the names of four of Jesus' brothers.

Matt 13:55; "Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?
Matt 13:56; "And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this man get all these things?"

Again in Matt 27:56; we see a lady named Mary had sons named James and Joses {Joseph), most believe this to be the mother of Jesus.

Mark 15:40; There were also some women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the Less and Joses, and Salome.

Again Mark 15:40; we see the Mary as sons named James (the less), Joses and a daughter named Salome.
Salome was likely one of the sisters mentioned in Matt 13:56;

Mark 16:1; When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, so that they might come and anoint Him.

Mary the mother of James is mentioned again in Luke 24:10;

In Acts 2:12; James the son of Zebedee is put to death by the sword, so that only James "the son of Alphaeus" as
the only apostle named James after this time.

James is mentioned again Acts 12:17; Acts 15:13; and Acts 21:18;
In fact we see that Paul met James in Acts 21:18;

According to 1 Cor 15:7; James was the first apostle that Jesus appeared to after He was risen from the dead.
In Galatians 1:19; we see that James is called "James, the Lord's brother".

James is also mentioned in Gal 2:9; and Gal 2:12;

In James 1:1; James identifies himself as the author of the book of James.

Interestingly enough, Jude identifies himself as the author of Jude in Jude 1:1; but he also says he is the brother of James.
So this is likely the same Jude (Judas) mentioned in Matt 13:55;

In James 1:1; it seems James was mostly called to wrote this to the Jews.
Jas 1:1; James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings.

Most of what we know of James teachings obviously comes from the book of James. This is the book that John Calvin wanted removed from the Bible due to the discourse about "faith without works".

If James the less or "the son of Alphaeus" is the same James as the son of Mary and the brother of Jesus, then
it would seem that these weren't sons brought into Joseph's marriage from a previous marriage, but rather Mary
had children from someone else besides Joseph. This wouldn't be a sin under Jewish law if Joseph had died.

... next Jude (Judas) who wasn't Judas Iscariot the traitor.

 

[B-A-C]

The word "Judas is used 33 times in the New Testament.
Jude is only identified as "Jude" in one single verse. Jude 1:1;

It is likely he is also called "Judas". However there are at least 4 Judas' in the New Testament.
The one most commonly talked about is Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus.

Jude is likely the "Judas" mentioned in Matt 13:55; and Mark 6:3; who is also the half-brother of Jesus.
Who is also likely the same Judas mentioned John 14:22;
In Acts 1:13; Judas is called "the son of James". Which is somewhat controversial considering Mary was married to Joseph,
and her other son James was the son of Alphaeus.

There is a third Judas mentioned in Acts 5:37; called Judas of Galiliee, however it appears he died.
There is also a man named Barnabas-Judas mentioned in Acts 15:22;

When Paul lost his eye sight on the road to Damascus, the voice (Jesus) told him to go to the house of Judas ( Acts 9:11; )

We also see Judas (and Silas) mentioned in Acts 15:27; and Acts 15:32; In Acts 15:32; it says that he is a prophet.

Of course most of what we know of Jude, is is the book of Jude. A very short book with only 1 chapter. he does call himself the brother of James. (Jude 1:1; )
Jude is the only book of the Bible which quotes the book of Enoch. The book of Enoch is not considered canonical by most Protestant churches.

 

[B-A-C]

The word "John" is mentioned 136 times in the New Testament.

There are at least 3 John's mentioned in the New Testament (possibly more, this requires more study.
John the Baptist.
John the apostle who is also called the brother of James, the sons of Zebedee, also called the sons of thunder. ( Matt 4:21; Matt 10:2; Matt 20:20; Matt 26:37; Matt 27:56;
Mark 1:9; Mark 1:20; Mark 3:17; Mark 10:35; Luke 5:10; John 21:2; )
and John Mark who is usually just called Mark (Acts 12:25; )

Next to Paul, John wrote most of the New Testament. He wrote the book of John of course.
But he also wrote the books of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John as well as Revelation.
In the book of John. John refers to himself as "the disciple Jesus loved" at least 5 times.
It seems before they became disciples of Jesus they were fishermen.

There is more to say about John the apostle, but I'm out of time right now.