James, son of Zebedee
Israelite / Jew Jewish, a Galilean fisherman · Life of Christ · New Testament
- Also called
- James, Boanerges
- Name means
- James: Greek form of Jacob
- Role
- Apostle; first of the Twelve to be martyred
- When
- c. AD 28 - 44
What they did
Called with his brother John from their fishing nets, he was one of the three closest to Jesus, present at the transfiguration; Herod Agrippa I killed him with the sword.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
As the first apostle to die for Christ, he showed that following Jesus means drinking of his cup, and the church kept growing despite persecution.
And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him. Matthew 4:22 (KJV)
Bible references
And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him. Matthew 4:21-22 (KJV)
And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder: Mark 3:17 (KJV)
And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. Matthew 17:1-2 (KJV)
Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. Acts 12:1-2 (KJV)
Family
- Father
- Zebedee
- Brothers / sisters
- John
Jesus surnamed the brothers Boanerges, 'The sons of thunder' (Mark 3:17). Their mother is mentioned as 'the mother of Zebedee's children' (Matthew 20:20; 27:56).