James, Peter, John, the Seven and their households in the early Jerusalem church.
Who are the brothers of Jesus?
FamilyDebatedMark names James, Joses, Simon, and Jude as brothers of Jesus. Protestants usually hold they were younger half-siblings, Catholic and Orthodox traditions (Hieronymian and Epiphanian views) hold they were cousins or Joseph's sons from an earlier marriage.
Ways people read this (3)
- Half-brothers, sons of Joseph and Mary (Helvidius; most Protestants).
- Step-brothers, sons of Joseph from an earlier marriage (Epiphanius; Eastern tradition).
- Cousins (Jerome).
Read more: Grokipedia: James, brother of Jesus (AI-written, unreviewed) ↗
Sources: Scripture
James leads the Jerusalem church
RoleStated in the textPaul calls James, Cephas, and John "pillars" at Jerusalem, and lists James first. James presides at the Jerusalem Council. Peter tells the church to "tell James" after escaping from prison.
Read more: Grokipedia: James, brother of Jesus (AI-written, unreviewed) ↗
Sources: Scripture
Jesus' brothers did not believe, then James saw him risen
FamilyStated in the textJohn says even his brothers did not believe in him. Paul says the risen Christ appeared to James, and by Acts 1:14 the brothers are praying with the disciples. James then leads the church.
Sources: Scripture
Jude, brother of James
FamilyWidely acceptedThe letter of Jude opens by calling its author a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James. If he is the Jude of Mark 6:3, the letter comes from another brother of Jesus.
Where the text shows it: Jude 1 — Servant of Jesus Christ and brother of JamesMark 6:3 — Jude named among the brothers Sources: Scripture
James the Lord's brother and James son of Alphaeus
RoleDebatedPaul calls James the Lord's brother an "apostle" in Galatians 1:19. Jerome argued he was the same as James son of Alphaeus, making Jesus' "brothers" cousins. Most other scholars treat them as different men.
Ways people read this (3)
- Identified (Jerome): one James, cousin of Jesus.
- Distinct: Lord's brother was not among the Twelve.
- Paul's "apostle" may mean wider sense.
Read more: Grokipedia: James, brother of Jesus (AI-written, unreviewed) ↗
Sources: Jerome, Against Helvidius
Fishing partners who became pillars
WorkStated in the textLuke calls James and John partners of Simon in the fishing business, and Mark says Zebedee had hired servants. Peter and John then appear together in Acts 3-4 and 8:14 and as two of the three "pillars".
Sources: Scripture
The house of Mary, mother of Mark
RoleStated in the textThe Jerusalem house where disciples prayed for Peter had a servant named Rhoda, who recognized Peter's voice and ran inside in joy. The house was large enough for a gathering and had a gate, suggesting wealth.
Where the text shows it: Acts 12:12-17 — Peter at the house; Rhoda answers the gate Sources: Scripture
Ananias and Sapphira
FamilyStated in the textRight after Barnabas sold a field and laid the money at the apostles' feet, Ananias and Sapphira sold property and kept back part. Peter confronts each, and both die. The two accounts are set side by side in Acts.
Sources: Scripture
Cyprus: the thread from Barnabas to Mnason
HometownStated in the textBarnabas was a Levite from Cyprus, and he and Mark returned there after the split. Decades later in Jerusalem Paul stays with Mnason, a Cypriot and early disciple.
Sources: Scripture
Stephen and Philip among the Seven
RoleStated in the textThe Seven were chosen to serve tables for the Greek-speaking widows, and all have Greek names. Philip later evangelized Samaria, and Acts 21:8 calls him one of the Seven.
Where the text shows it: Acts 6:1-6 — The Seven chosenActs 8:5 — Philip preaches in SamariaActs 21:8 — Philip the evangelist, one of the seven Sources: Scripture
Philip, Simon Magus, Peter and John in Samaria
WorkStated in the textPhilip preached in Samaria and Simon the sorcerer believed. Peter and John came down to lay hands on the converts, and Simon offered money for the same power and was rebuked.
Sources: Scripture
Paul and Luke at the house of Philip
FriendsStated in the textAt Caesarea Paul stayed with Philip the evangelist, who had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. The prophet Agabus arrived there and bound his own feet and hands with Paul's belt.
Sources: Scripture
Philip the apostle or Philip the evangelist?
RoleDebatedSome early writers merged the apostle Philip and the evangelist Philip, placing the daughters in Hierapolis. Acts clearly separates the Twelve from the Seven.
Where the text shows it: Acts 6:5 — Philip among the SevenActs 8:1 — Apostles remained in Jerusalem while others scatteredJohn 1:43-44 — Philip the disciple from Bethsaida Ways people read this (2)
- Two different Philips (Acts 6, 8, 21 vs the Twelve).
- Some early writers conflate them and locate the daughters in Hierapolis.
Sources: Eusebius, Church History 3.31 and 3.39 (citing Polycrates and Papias)
Agabus predicts a famine under Claudius
RoleStated in the textAgabus foretold a great famine, which Luke says happened under Claudius. Antioch's disciples sent relief by Barnabas and Saul to Judea.
Where the text shows it: Acts 11:27-30 — Famine prophecy and relief Sources: Scripture
The Jerusalem Council
RoleStated in the textAfter debate, Peter and James spoke, and the letter was carried to Antioch by Judas called Barsabbas and Silas, with Paul and Barnabas.
Sources: Scripture
Joseph and Judas Barsabbas
FamilyHypothesisJoseph called Barsabbas was a candidate to replace Judas Iscariot, and later Judas called Barsabbas helps carry the council's letter. The shared surname might mean brothers, but the text does not say.
Where the text shows it: Acts 1:23 — Joseph called BarsabbasActs 15:22 — Judas called Barsabbas Ways people read this (2)
- Brothers sharing a patronym.
- Unrelated men with a common epithet ("son of the Sabbath" or "son of the elder").
Sources: Scripture
Simon of Cyrene and his sons
FamilyHypothesisMark alone names Simon's sons Alexander and Rufus, implying his readers knew them. Paul greets a Rufus in Romans 16:13, "chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine".
Ways people read this (2)
- Same Rufus, now a leader in the Roman church.
- Coincidence, as Rufus was a common name.
Sources: Scripture
Paul, Peter, James and Barnabas in Galatians 2
RoleStated in the textPaul visited Peter for fifteen days, later opposed Peter at Antioch over table fellowship after men from James arrived, and even Barnabas was led astray.
Sources: Scripture
Peter at Joppa: Tabitha and Simon the tanner
RoleStated in the textPeter raised Tabitha (Dorcas) in Joppa and stayed many days with Simon, a tanner, whose house by the sea is where he received the vision before meeting Cornelius.
Where the text shows it: Acts 9:36-43 — Tabitha; stays with Simon the tannerActs 10:5-6 — Cornelius told where to find Peter Sources: Scripture
Drafted with AI assistance from the biblical text and named historical sources, and labelled by how firmly each link is supported. Family links also draw on STEPBible’s TIPNR data (CC BY 4.0). Where tradition or hypothesis is involved, read the cited verses and judge for yourself.