But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.
Acts 9:27-28. Luke, as a historian, describes more generally what Paul, the subject of the history, himself details more particularly. The history speaks of "apostles." Paul's mention of a second apostle besides Peter reconciles the letter and the history. At Stephens martyrdom, and the consequent persecution, the other ten apostles, agreeably to Christ's directions, seem to have soon (though not immediately, Acts 8:14) left Jerusalem to preach elsewhere. James remained in charge of the mother church, as its Bishop. Peter, the apostle of the circumcision, was present during Paul's fifteen days' stay; but he, too, presently after (Acts 9:32), went on a circuit through Judea.
James the Lord's brother. This designation, to distinguish him from James the son of Zebedee, was appropriate while that apostle was alive. But before Paul's second visit to Jerusalem (Acts 15:1-41; Galatians 2:1) he had been beheaded by Herod (Acts 12:2). Accordingly, in the subsequent mention of James here (Galatians 2:9; Galatians 2:12), he is not designated by this distinctive epithet: a minute, undesigned coincidence, and proof of genuineness. "Other of the apostles ... except James," implies that he was an apostle. James was the Lord's brother, not in our strict sense, but 'cousin,' or 'kinsman' (Matthew 28:10; John 20:17). His "brethren" are never called 'sons of Joseph' (cf. Psalms 69:8, "my mother's children," figurative for nearest kinsmen). In John 7:3; John 7:5, the "brethren" who believed not in Him may mean His near relations, not including His two brethren - i:e., relatives (James and Jude) who were among the twelve. Ellicott suggests that 'believed' is used there of a proper, intelligent belief; as in John 6:64; John 6:67 it is implied that some disciples, and even the twelve, had not a full belief. Acts 1:14, "His brethren," refers to Simon and Joses, and others (Matthew 13:55) of His kinsmen who were not apostles. It is not likely there would be two pairs of brothers named alike, of such eminence as James and Jude: the likelihood is that the apostles James and Jude are also the writers of the letters and the brethren of Jesus. James and Joses were sons of Alpheus and Mary, sister of the virgin Mary.