In the vast sea of names and figures in the Bible, there are some who come and go with little fanfare. Alphaeus is one such figure, quiet, often overlooked, but with his own unique significance hidden in plain sight. While we don’t know much about Alphaeus himself, his legacy is carried through his two sons, James the Less and, possibly, Matthew. But let’s take a moment to look closer at this name, its meaning, and its place in the Scriptures.
First, let me walk you through the name Alphaeus (Greek: Alphaios). It’s a name that rings with mystery. While there’s no definitive explanation of the name’s meaning, some scholars have speculated that it’s derived from the Hebrew Eliezer, which means “My God is help.” Could this name have been chosen by his parents to reflect a hopeful trust in God’s provision? Perhaps. As we think about Alphaeus and his place in the Biblical narrative, it feels fitting that his name could mean “God is help” because even though Alphaeus himself doesn’t get much of a spotlight, his sons certainly did, both in different ways that brought glory to God.
Now, where do we see Alphaeus in the Bible? One of the most prominent mentions is in connection with his son, James the Less (also called James, son of Alphaeus). He’s listed in the apostolic lists of the Gospels, Mark 3:18, Matthew 10:3, and Luke 6:15, but don’t blink, because that’s about all we get about him in the Scriptures. His title, “James the Less,” likely means he was younger or smaller in stature compared to James, son of Zebedee (the brother of John). Some traditions even suggest he could have been younger in age, though this isn’t explicitly stated.
What stands out about James the Less is his obscurity. While Peter, John, and even Andrew have more significant roles in the Gospel stories, James the Less doesn’t get the same narrative attention. But that doesn’t mean his role was any less important. Could we draw a parallel here to how God works in the background, allowing His servants to serve faithfully even when they aren’t in the spotlight? Maybe James’s quiet nature teaches us that faithfulness doesn’t require fame, just obedience.
Now, let’s turn to an interesting thought: Some biblical scholars suggest that Alphaeus might also be the father of Matthew, the tax collector and another one of Jesus’ twelve apostles. This isn’t explicitly stated in the Gospels, but there is some evidence to support the idea. In both Mark 2:14 and Matthew 9:9, Matthew (called Levi in some texts) is referred to as the “son of Alphaeus.” Could this mean that James the Less and Matthew were brothers? It’s an intriguing thought, but one that remains speculative. Either way, the connection is fascinating: two sons, both chosen by Jesus to be part of His inner circle.
The idea that Alphaeus could be the father of both of these men is worth pondering. Think about the contrast between them—one, a humble apostle who fades into the background, and the other, a tax collector, known for his dramatic transformation. What was Alphaeus like? Was he a man of quiet strength, faithfully raising his sons, never knowing that God would call them to such a high purpose? We can only imagine.
Though Alphaeus himself doesn’t make much of a personal appearance in the Gospels, his influence continues through his children. Perhaps there’s something profound in that, how sometimes our greatest impact isn’t in the limelight, but in the seeds we plant in others. James the Less might have been quiet, but he was faithful. Matthew might have been a former sinner, but he became one of the Gospel writers, sharing the good news of Jesus with the world. Both men were radically changed by their encounter with Christ, and that change echoes through the centuries.
Alphaeus’s story is a reminder that in God’s kingdom, the unnoticed figures are just as important as the well-known ones. They may not have the loudest voices, but they contribute to the shaping of history in ways that we may never fully understand this side of heaven. And perhaps this is why Alphaeus’s name is a bit of a puzzle—it’s a quiet echo of faithfulness, one that reminds us that even in the background, God is at work.
What can we take away from this? Maybe it’s that God doesn’t always choose the loud or the famous to accomplish His plans. He often chooses the humble, the quiet, and those who may never receive earthly recognition. But in the end, their roles are just as crucial. Just like Alphaeus, we might not always see the full impact of our lives, but God does, and that’s enough.
i did research for this teaching just because i thought about the name Alphaeus… how different it was. I enjoy studying the differences in Biblical characters.
Image done by Leonardo AI at my direction.