Mark 15:40 There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;

Forgive my Outlander inference. In researching various translations of James the less, of which there are as many opinions as there are Mary’s, I found this. That this James might have been the youngest boy of this Mary that was “afar off”. Hence the Scottish tradition of distinguishing the ages of boys. Wee being of a very young age, young Jamie as being perhaps a teenager and then James followed by all his given names indicating manhood.

The speculations of which James is which in reference to the father is customary but this James is linked to the mother which is different and more difficult. Without the father’s name who can say for sure because of so many Mary’s found in the company of believers.

The only hint of obscurity I can put my finger to here is their placement in the back of the theater. Mary the mother of Jesus was close enough so that Jesus could speak to her personally and give the apostle John to be her son. (John 19:26)

To make things even more difficult in the use of names by reference, I found comments which indicated that it was believed that Mary, the mother of Jesus, had a sister named Mary. That would only add to the confusion. Even theologians, trying to be frankly honest have written, “I don’t know but I choose to believe…” This brings my issue into focus.

What do you have to settle in your own mind in order to let go of unimportant issues that others insist on defining in order to elevate their reputation?

Which Mary and which James matters not here and changes nothing of the true significance of Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension.