James was the son of James the bricklayer, Joseph's business partner; he was Jesus' closest childhood friend and self-appointed defender, who kept bullies from taking advantage of Jesus' docility. [1] He was a bricklayer like his father and was a business partner of Jesus' brothers. [2] He married Jesus' sister Miriam in November A.D. 20. [3]
See also: UB 123:1.4; UB 124:2.4.