James, son of Alphaeus was a first-century Christian apostle from Galilee. He is listed in all three Synoptic Gospels as one of the twelve disciples chosen by Jesus. Because he is often distinguished from the other apostle named James, he is frequently referred to in church tradition as James the Less, the Lesser, or the Younger. While his specific identity is a subject of scholarly discussion, he is traditionally recognized as a distinct figure from James, son of Zebedee.