CLEOPHAS. — The name that appears in the Vulgate as Cleophas corresponds to two different names in the Greek New Testament. While Κλεόπας (Lk 24:18) is a Greek name (a contraction of Κλεόπατρος), Κλωπᾶς (Jn 19:25) is a Semitic form that reproduces either the original Halfaj of Alfeo (q.v.), although the Syriac version distinguishes Halfaj (Alfeo) and Klōfā, or the Aramaic pronunciation of Κλεόπας (Lagrange cites the Palmyrene Qlöfā). The two names probably indicate two distinct persons, though Origen identifies them (cf. F. Maier, p. 171).
1. Κλεόπας (Lk 24:18) is one of the two disciples (in communion with the Apostles: Lk 24:9) of Emmaus (q.v.); the other was named Simon (according to Origen, who sees in him the son of C. and future bishop [2nd] of Jerusalem, and St. Cyril of Alexandria; or Ammon according to St. Ambrose). On the day of the Resurrection, as they recalled the drama of Jesus’ Passion, they were instructed by Jesus, who had joined them on the way, and recognized Him only at the “breaking of the bread”; then in Jerusalem they saw Him appear to the Apostles (Lk 24:13–36).
2. Κλωπᾶς is identified by many with Alfeo (q.v.), following Theodoret (In Gal., 1:18: PG 82, 468) and the grammarian Papias (11th c.). Beside the Cross was Mary [wife] of C. (Jn 19:25), presented by the Synoptics as Mary the mother of James the Less (Mk 15:40 and 16:1; Mt 27:56; Lk 24:10); the father of James was Alfeo (Mt 10:3; etc.). According to Hegesippus, however, C. was the brother of St. Joseph “father” of Jesus (Eusebius, Hist. eccl., III, 11, 2: PG 20, 248), and was the father of Simeon (or Simon), the second bishop of Jerusalem (loc. cit., 32, 6); C. would thus have been the father of Simeon and Judas, quite distinct from Alfeo the father of James and José (Ἰωσής). For the various questions concerning the family of C., cf. F. Maier, pp. 169–74; see also FRATELLI DI GESÙ,