James, the brother of Jesus, became one of the most important leaders of the early Christian church in Jerusalem. Although Jesus’ brothers did not initially believe in Him, James later became a prominent figure among the apostles and elders. He played a key role in the Jerusalem Council and is traditionally understood to be the author of the Epistle of James.
Key references: Matthew 13:55, Acts 15:13–21, Galatians 1:19, John 7:5