Cleophas
Peopleâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
A relative of Jesus mentioned in the New Testament, identified as the father of James the Less and Joseph, and traditionally regarded as the husband of Mary who witnessed the crucifixion.
What is the meaning of Cleophas in the Bible?
A relative of Jesus mentioned in the New Testament, identified as the father of James the Less and Joseph, and traditionally regarded as the husband of Mary who witnessed the crucifixion.
SIGNIFICANCE
Identifying Cleophas clarifies the familial relationships within the early Christian circle, distinguishing the 'brothers of the Lord' as cousins or close kin rather than siblings, which resolves apparent contradictions in the Gospel accounts regarding Jesus' family structure.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.