Does Matthew Have a Brother?

Yes, Matthew is traditionally believed to have had a brother named James.

The Traditional Brotherhood of Matthew and James

The belief that Matthew, also known as Levi, had a brother named James is rooted in early Christian traditions and historical interpretations. This familial connection is primarily established through their shared paternity.

Alphaeus: The Common Father

Both Matthew (Levi) and James are identified as sons of a man named Alphaeus.

• Matthew (Levi): The apocryphal Gospel of Peter specifically refers to Levi as the son of Alphaeus. This lineage connects him directly to Alphaeus.
• James: Often referred to as James, son of Alphaeus, he is a notable figure among Jesus's disciples, sometimes identified as James the Less.

This shared paternal connection through Alphaeus strongly indicates their fraternal relationship.

Eastern Church Tradition

The tradition of the Eastern Church explicitly states that Matthew and James were brothers. This long-standing ecclesiastical tradition has consistently maintained this view, contributing significantly to the understanding of their relationship within Christian history.

The table below illustrates the shared parentage that underpins this traditional belief:

This consistent identification of both Matthew and James as sons of Alphaeus, combined with the explicit statement from Eastern Church tradition, provides strong grounds for the belief that Matthew indeed had a brother named James.