Alpheus is a biblical figure mentioned in the New Testament, primarily known as the father of two of Jesus' apostles. His name appears in the context of the calling and listing of the apostles, and he is associated with two distinct individuals: James the son of Alpheus and Levi (also known as Matthew) the son of Alpheus.

James the Son of Alpheus

James, the son of Alpheus, is one of the Twelve Apostles chosen by Jesus Christ. He is often referred to as "James the Less" to distinguish him from James, the son of Zebedee, another of the Twelve. The Gospel of Matthew lists him among the apostles: "These are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon (called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alpheus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him" (Matthew 10:2-4). Similarly, the Gospel of Mark and the Gospel of Luke also include James the son of Alpheus in their lists of the apostles (Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15).

James the son of Alpheus is a somewhat obscure figure in the New Testament, with little recorded about his life and ministry. Tradition holds that he played a significant role in the early Christian church, though specific details are sparse.

Levi (Matthew) the Son of Alpheus

Levi, also known as Matthew, is another son of Alpheus mentioned in the New Testament. He is identified as a tax collector whom Jesus called to be one of His disciples. The Gospel of Mark records this calling: "As He was walking along, He saw Levi son of Alpheus sitting at the tax booth. 'Follow Me,' He told him, and Levi got up and followed Him" (Mark 2:14). Levi is later referred to as Matthew in the Gospel of Matthew, where he is listed among the apostles (Matthew 9:9).

Matthew, as one of the Twelve Apostles, is traditionally credited with the authorship of the Gospel of Matthew. His transformation from a tax collector, a profession often despised by the Jewish people, to a devoted follower of Christ, exemplifies the transformative power of Jesus' call.

Alpheus in Tradition and Interpretation

The identity and relationships of Alpheus' sons have been the subject of various interpretations and traditions within Christian history. Some traditions suggest that James the son of Alpheus and Levi (Matthew) were brothers, both sons of Alpheus, though the New Testament does not explicitly confirm this familial relationship. The name Alpheus itself is of Hebrew origin, possibly derived from the Hebrew name "Halphai," and it appears in the context of these apostolic figures.

Alpheus, as the father of two significant figures in the New Testament, is a reminder of the diverse backgrounds and callings of those who followed Jesus. His sons' inclusion among the apostles highlights the broad reach of Jesus' ministry and the varied individuals who were drawn to His message.Alpheus

a thousand; learned; chief

256. Alphaios -- Alpha
... Alpheus. Of Hebrew origin (compare Cheleph); Alphoeus, an Israelite -- Alpheus.
see HEBREW Cheleph. (alphaiou) -- 5 Occurrences. 255, 256. Alphaios. 256a . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/256.htm - 5k

The Catholic Epistles.
... But whether he was identical with "James the son of Alpheus," who was one of the
twelve (Matt.10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13), is a question which has ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxi the catholic epistles.htm

The Feast of Tabernacles.
... The theory that they were his cousins, the sons of Alpheus and Mary, the sister
of the mother of Christ, is disproved by this passage: "James, the son of ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the feast of tabernacles.htm

The Pharisee and the Publican
... also, by the Holy Ghost in holy writ, is called by the name of James: not James
the brother of John, for Zebedee was his father; but James the son of Alpheus. ...
/.../bunyan/the pharisee and publican/the pharisee and the publican.htm

A Discourse Upon the Pharisee and the Publican
... Not James the brother of John, for Zebedee was his father; but James the
son of Alpheus. Now I take this Levi also to be another ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse upon the pharisee.htm

Words of Counsel.
... "As Jesus passed by He saw Levi, the son of Alpheus, sitting at the receipt of custom,
and said unto him, 'Follow Me': and he arose and followed Him" (Matthew 9 ...
/.../moody/the way to god and how to find it/chapter iv words of counsel.htm

Introduction
... Neander himself formerly held, [1] with many other distinguished critics, that this
epistle was written by the Apostle James, the son of Alpheus and of Mary ...
/.../neander/the epistle of james practically explained/introduction.htm

Letter D
... Samuel R. "Received 1824, Located 1836 * Davidson, Thomas P. "Received 1824, Located
1837 * Davies, John "Received 1836 * Davis, Alpheus "Received 1816 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bangs/an alphabetical list of m e preachers/letter d.htm

The Epistle of Saint Jude.
... author does not distinctly claim to be an Apostle, nor can a pretext for forgery
be discovered." Again, he says: "they who regard the Son of Alpheus and the ...
/.../the epistle of saint jude.htm

Notes
... This daughter was, however, older than her aunt, the Blessed Virgin, and had been
married first to Alpheus, by whom she had three sons, afterwards the Apostles ...
/.../emmerich/the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/notes.htm

Matthew the Publican Called from the Custom-House. --Familial ...
... Mark appears to be more definite than the others, calling him the son of
Alpheus, which does not look like a fanciful designation. ...
/.../section 141 matthew the publican.htm

Alpheus (5 Occurrences)
...Alpheus (5 Occurrences). ... Mark 2:14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alpheus,
sitting at the receipt of custom, and said to him, Follow me. ...
/a/alpheus.htm - 7k

Alphaeus (5 Occurrences)
... (2) The father of Levi, the publican (Mark 2:14). Levi is designated as Matthew
in the Gospel of Matthew 9:9. There is no other reference to this Alpheus. ...
/a/alphaeus.htm - 12k

Brethren (528 Occurrences)
... not of Joseph. They were the children of Alpheus, otherwise known as Clopas
(John 19:25), and the sister of Mary. This Mary, in ...
/b/brethren.htm - 51k

James (40 Occurrences)
... (2) James the son of Alpheus (ho tou Alphaiou; for etymology, etc., of James, see
above): One of the Twelve Apostles (Matthew 10:3 Mark 3:18 Luke 6:15 Acts 1:13 ...
/j/james.htm - 78k

Lord (59401 Occurrences)
... not of Joseph. They were the children of Alpheus, otherwise known as Clopas
(John 19:25), and the sister of Mary. This Mary, in ...
/l/lord.htm - 61k

Zealot (4 Occurrences)
... (4) As Alpheus, the father of James, is generally regarded as the same as Clopas
or Cleopas (see JAMES), this identification of the above Simon Nathanael, son ...
/z/zealot.htm - 12k

Thaddeus (2 Occurrences)
... Matthew 10:3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the
son of Alpheus, and Lebbeus, whose surname was Thaddeus; (WBS YLT). ...
/t/thaddeus.htm - 7k

Canaanite (74 Occurrences)
... (4) As Alpheus, the father of James, is generally regarded as the same as Clopas
or Cleopas (see JAMES), this identification of the above Simon Nathanael, son ...
/c/canaanite.htm - 36k

Cananaean (2 Occurrences)
... (4) As Alpheus, the father of James, is generally regarded as the same as Clopas
or Cleopas (see JAMES), this identification of the above Simon Nathanael, son ...
/c/cananaean.htm - 10k

Matthew (5 Occurrences)
... as is evident from the predicate in Matthew 10:3; and from a comparison of Mark
2:14 Luke 5:27 with Matthew 9:9. Mark calls him "the son of Alpheus" (Mark 2:14 ...
/m/matthew.htm - 38k

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