One of the apostles of Christ. There were two of this name, and both apostles; one the son of Salome, the other of Mary. Hence by way, of distinction, they are called James the Elder, and James the Less. The former was the brother of John, (Matthew 4:21) the latter is called by Paul the Lord's brother, (Galatians 1:19) not so in reality, as we now mean by the term brother, but as the custom then was, from tribes and families, Mary, James's mother, was sister to the blessed Virgin. James the Elder was the son of Zebedee; James the Less the son of Alpheus, (Matthew 10:2-3) The former was killed by Herod,; (Acts 12:1) the latter we have no scriptural relation of his death. It is to this man, under God the Holy Ghost, that we are indebted for that gracious Epistle which bears his name.