answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer
A:The original New Testament gospel, now known as Mark's Gospel, refers to Levi, son of Alphaeus, as a tax collector. However, for some reason, Mark never again refers to Levi, but introduces Matthew and James, son of Alphaeus, as disciples in the list of the twelve disciples (verse 3:14-19). Since Levi and James are both sons of Alphaeus, it would seem that they must have been brothers. John is described as the brother of James, son of Zebedee, in the list in which the disciples are introduced, but Matthew is not described either as the son of Alphaeus or as the brother of this James. There is therefore no reason to believe that the author of Mark was portraying Matthew as either the tax collector or as the brother of James, son of Alphaeus.

Because Mark does not refer to Levi again, this causes a possible problem for the authors of the other New Testament gospels that are now known to have been derived from Mark's Gospel. Luke more or less faithfully copies Mark, using the name Levi in the corresponding place, as the former tax collector, while John makes no mention of him. The author of the gospel now known as Matthew's Gospel tried to resolve the difficulty by placing the disciple Matthew in the position of the tax collector whom Jesus called to follow him. Because of this usage in Matthew, it has become accepted by Christians that Matthew and Levi were one and the same person. Although Matthew's Gospel does not say so, this could mean that Matthew was a son of Alphaeus and that James was his brother.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

AnswerBot

6mo ago

Yes, according to The Bible, Matthew (also known as Levi) and James the Less were brothers. They were both disciples of Jesus.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

they shared a surname, but it is nit certain that they were really brothers

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Were Matthew and James the Less brothers?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Religious Studies

Who was the father of James the Less and Joses?

This is one of the most difficult questions in the Gospel history, and still being debated. Matthew (13, 55) and Mark (6, 3) declare them to be sons of the Virgin Mary and brothers of Jesus. Paul (Gal. 1, 19) affirms that James was the brother of Jesus. If they were sons of the Virgin Mary, Joseph must have been their father. But Matthew (10, 3) and Mark (3, 18) state that James the Less was "the son of Alpheus." According to John (compare John 19, 25 with Matthew 28, 56) Cleophas was their father.


The names of the 12 diciples?

The 12 disciples are: Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James the Less, Thaddeus, Simon, and Judas Iscariot.


What are the names of Jesus four brothers?

Matthew 13:55 - Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothersJames, Joses,Simon, and Judas?[NKJV]


Who was Alphaeus father of James?

Of the twelve disciples of Jesus there were two James' One was "James the Less" and his father's name was Alphaeus. The other disciple of Jesus whose name was James was the brother of John and their father was Zebedee. The bible tells us nothing further of Alphaeus.


Where in the bible does it say Jude is the brother of Jesus?

There are several references in the new Testament to Jesus' brothers and sisters. Matthew 13:55 lists four brothers: James, Joseph (Joses), Simon, and Jude (Judas). Some people prefer to call them half brothers of Jesus, since God was Jesus' father. The tradition in Roman Catholic Church, which holds that Mary was a virgin her whole life, is that they were cousins of Jesus. Another possibility is that they were Joseph's children from an earlier marriage.

Related questions

Which disciples were brothers?

The disciples James and John were both sons of Zebedee (Matthew 4:21). Peter and Andrew were also brothers (Matthew 4:18).


Which apostles were brothers?

Jude and Simon were brothers. Your question was a very tough one. It is in (Matthew 4:18-22) James the Greater and John were brothers as were Peter and Andrew.


Were John the beloved and James the Less brothers?

No. Brothers James and John were sons of Zebedee (Mark 3:17). James (called "the Less" to distinguish him from the other James) was the son of a man named Alphaeus (Mark 3:18).


Who was the father of James the Less and Joses?

This is one of the most difficult questions in the Gospel history, and still being debated. Matthew (13, 55) and Mark (6, 3) declare them to be sons of the Virgin Mary and brothers of Jesus. Paul (Gal. 1, 19) affirms that James was the brother of Jesus. If they were sons of the Virgin Mary, Joseph must have been their father. But Matthew (10, 3) and Mark (3, 18) state that James the Less was "the son of Alpheus." According to John (compare John 19, 25 with Matthew 28, 56) Cleophas was their father.


Who was Jesus' brothers?

Jesus had two brothers Jude and James. ^^ THE BIBLE GIVE US MORE NAMES, THEN THE ABOVE TWO MENTIONED. SEE Mark 6:3 and Matthew 13:55


What were the names of Jesus' step brothers?

Mentioned in Matthew and Mark, there are 4 brothers and at least 2 sisters - all are half-siblings as they each share the same mother but have a different father:Mark 6:3King James Version (KJV) 3Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.


What are the name of Jesus brothers?

James, Joseph, Judas and Simon (Mark 6:3) This is the carpenter the son of Mary and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon, is it not? And his sisters are here with us, are they not?" So they began to stumble at him.


Why do some biographies say Marie has 9 children?

Mary had children with Joseph. They are mentioned in a number of places, including: Matthew 12:46 - Here he differentiates his brothers of the flesh from his brothers of faith. John 2:12 Matthew 13:6 lists his mother and brothers, James, Joseph, Simon and Judas.


Does Jesus has brother before he died?

Yes, the New Testament says that he had brothers (Matthew 12:46), and their names are listed as James, Joseph, Simon and Judas (Matthew 13:55). "James, the Lord's brother" is mentioned in Galatians 1:18-20


Who are the eleven apostles?

If you are referring to the disciples of Jesus Simon Peter James John Andrew Phillip Bartholomew Matthew Thomas James the less Jude Simon the Zeolot Judas Iscariot If you are referring to the disciples of Jesus Simon Peter James John Andrew Phillip Bartholomew Matthew Thomas James the less Jude Simon the Zeolot Judas Iscariot


How tall is James Matthew Gallagher?

James Matthew Gallagher is 6'.


How tall is Matthew James Thomas?

Matthew James Thomas is 6'.