Clopas

Clopas is a figure mentioned briefly in the New Testament, in the Gospel of John 19:25, as the husband of Mary, one of the women present at the crucifixion of Jesus. The name is of unknown meaning, probably of Aramaic origin. In some traditions, Clopas is identified with Alphaeus, the father of the apostles James the Lesser and Levi. The name appears in a few variant forms in biblical manuscripts.

Etymology and Variants

The Greek form of the name is Κλωπᾶς (Klōpas), and its origin is likely Aramaic Ḥilfài or Hebrew Ḥalfi, meaning unknown. A related form is Cleophas (Κλεοπᾶς), which appears in Luke 24:18 as one of the two disciples who encountered the risen Jesus on the road to Emmaus. The manuscripts show variation between the spellings Cleophas and Klopas in both passages, with the King James Version rendering both as "Cleophas." In Biblical Latin, the form is also Cleophas. These names are often considered variants of the same name, leading to scholarly debate about whether Clopas and Cleophas refer to the same person. The related chain includes Alphaeus, a Greek form of a Hebrew name meaning "exchange," which is sometimes equated with Clopas.

Notable Bearers

The only historical figure known by this name is the Clopas of the New Testament. Church tradition holds that he was the brother of Saint Joseph, the husband of the Virgin Mary, and the father of a second Mary. He appears in John 19:25 alongside Mary Magdalene and the sisters of Jesus. The identification of Clopas with Alphaeus is noted in Christian tradition, and some biblical commentators consider that Alphaeus and Clopas are the Aramaic and Greek name of the same man, making him the father of two of the apostles.

Cultural Significance

Because Clopas is mentioned only in one verse, the name has not been widely used in history. However, its variant Cleophas appears occasionally in Christian communities and literary works. The mystery surrounding the figure contributes to its interest among biblical scholars and those studying onomastics of the early Christian period.

• Meaning: Unknown, possibly Aramaic
• Origin: Aramaic, via Greek
• Usage: English Bible
• Variants: Cleophas, Klopas