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ALPHAEUS ăl fē’ us (̓Αλφαῖος). 1. The father of Levi (Mark 2:14), who is identified with the apostle Matthew (Matt 9:9; 10:3). Nothing more is known about him.
2. The father of another of the apostles, generally called James the Less to distinguish him from the better known James who was the brother of John (Matt 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13). He is clearly differentiated from James the son of Zebedee (Matt 10:3; Mark 3:18).
Some scholars identify the father of Levi with the father of James the Less, and hold that Levi and James were brothers. Chrysostom thought that they were not only brothers, but also tax collectors before they became disciples of Jesus. Some MSS (D Θ Φ f13) have “James” instead of “Levi” in Mark 2:14, but this likely is a scribal attempt to harmonize this passage with those in which James the son of Alphaeus is mentioned (Matt 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13). The preponderance of MS evidence is for the “Levi” reading.
Some writers hold that Alphaeus, the father of James the Less, is the same person as Clopas (John 19:25). It is assumed by them that Mary, the wife of Clopas, who was present at the crucifixion of Jesus with some other women, is the same as Mary the mother of James, who was also present at the crucifixion (Matt 27:56; Mark 15:40). James the son of Mary (Matt 27:56), would then be the son of Mary the wife of Clopas (John 19:25). These scholars also hold that Alphaeus and Clopas are derived from the same Heb. word, חלפי, the one by dropping the aspirate, and making Alphaeus, the other by changing the aspirate into “k” or hard “c,” and making Clopas. It is quite certain, however, that Κλεόπας has a Gr. origin, whereas Κλωπᾶς, G3116, is derived from the Aram. Those who hold that Alphaeus and Clopas are the same also think that Alphaeus had two names, as many men did at that time—as Saul and Paul.
While it is possible that Alphaeus and Clopas are the same person, it is impossible to determine it absolutely.
Bibliography J. B. Lightfoot, The Epistle to the Galatians (1892), 252-391; J. B. Mayor, The Epistle of St. James (1892), xvi f.; S. J. Andrews, The Life of Our Lord Upon Earth (1906), 114, 115; F. Prat, Jesus Christ, His Life, His Teaching, and His Work, Vol. I (1950), 134-139; 507-510.