James the Less was the apostle traditionally called “the Lesser” to distinguish him from James, son of Zebedee.
The New Testament names more than one apostle called James. James son of Zebedee was the brother of John and belonged to Jesus’ closest circle, while James son of Alphaeus appears in the lists of the Twelve. Church tradition commonly identifies James son of Alphaeus with James the Less.
“Less” or “Lesser” does not mean less important or less faithful. It translates a term that may refer to being younger, smaller in stature, or simply the second James in comparison with James the Greater. The labels “the Minor,” “the Little,” and “the Younger” reflect translation differences.
The identification is traditional rather than completely certain. James the Less is mentioned in connection with Mary and Joses, and some scholars distinguish him from James the Just, the prominent leader of the Jerusalem church. Even so, “James the Less” is the standard answer to this quiz wording.