Basic Primary Sources on James the Just (Yaaqov HaTzaddik)
Gospel of Thomas 12
The Disciples said to Jesus, “We are aware that you will depart from us. Who will be our leader?” Jesus said to them, “No matter where you come it is to James the Just that you shall go, for whose sake heaven and earth have come to exist.”
Josephus on death of James
Antiquities 20. 200-201
James and certain others condemned to death by stoning under Ananus the High Priest, who is deposed by Albinus, Roman governor for this action (62 CE).
Eusebius (quoting Hegesippus) on James “the brother of the Lord, and his death
Ecclesiastical History 2. 23. 4-7
Eusebius on the succession of Simeon son of Clopas (Alphaeus)
Ecclesiastical History 3.11 & 4.22.4
Eusebius (quoting Hegesippus) on Domitian arresting grandsons of Judas, brother of Jesus
Ecclesiastical History 3. 19. 20
Eusebius (quoting Hegesippus) on Simeon and others punished under Trajan
Ecclesiastical History 3. 32
Gospel of the Hebrews (quoted by Jerome On Famous Men 2)
Lord went to James, at with him, blessed him, after the resurrection
Epiphanius on Nazoreans, James, and Successors
Panarion 29.3.4-29.9.4; 78.14. 1-6.
Ascents of James (recovered from the Pseudo-Clementine Recognitions 1. 33-71: Latin & Syriac versions)
Mentions struggle in Temple around 37 CE, James injured; another killed and buried by 5000 Pious Men out near Jericho.
Robert Van Voorst The Ascents of James (Scholar’s Press, 1989)
In Nag Hammadi Library:
Apocryphon of James
First Apocalpyse of James
Second Apocalypse of James
Gospel of the Egyptians