Bible Characters · Gospels

James, son of Zebedee

One of the inner three apostles, brother of John, who saw the Transfiguration and was the first of the Twelve to die for Jesus, killed by Herod's sword.

Gospels19 references in 4 booksIn theological review

The facts, as Scripture gives them

Lived
Dates not given in Scripture.
Region
Galilee; he died at Jerusalem. (Matthew 4:21; Acts 12:2)
The name
Jesus surnamed him and his brother John Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder. (Mark 3:17)
Work
A fisherman on the Sea of Galilee, in partnership with his father and brother. (Matthew 4:21)

Key verses

James son of Zebedee and his brother John (whom He named Boanerges, meaning “Sons of Thunder”)

Mark 3:17 (BSB)

He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.

Acts 12:2 (BSB)

What they did

  • Left his father and the nets immediately when Jesus called him and John. (Matthew 4:21-22)
  • Was taken with Peter and John into the room where Jesus raised Jairus's daughter. (Mark 5:37)
  • Saw the Transfiguration on the mountain. (Matthew 17:1)
  • With John asked for the seats at Jesus' right and left in his glory, and was promised the cup he would drink. (Mark 10:35-40)
  • Was taken further into Gethsemane on the night Jesus was betrayed. (Matthew 26:37)
  • Was with the disciples at the miraculous catch of fish after the resurrection. (John 21:2)
  • Was killed with the sword by King Herod, the first apostle to be martyred. (Acts 12:2)

Family

Father
Zebedee (Matthew 4:21)
Siblings
John (Matthew 4:21)

Connected to

  • John: His brother and fellow apostle (Matthew 4:21)
  • Zebedee: His father, left in the boat with the hired men (Mark 1:20)
  • Peter: His fellow apostle in the inner three (Matthew 17:1)
  • Jesus: His Lord, who called him from the nets (Matthew 4:21-22)

Mentioned in

Matthew, Mark, Luke, Acts.

Every reference (19)

Matthew 4:21 · Matthew 10:2 · Matthew 17:1 · Mark 1:19 · Mark 1:29 · Mark 3:17 · Mark 5:37 · Mark 9:2 · Mark 10:35 · Mark 10:41 · Mark 13:3 · Mark 14:33 · Luke 5:10 · Luke 6:14 · Luke 8:51 · Luke 9:28 · Luke 9:54 · Acts 1:13 · Acts 12:2

Review status: in-theological-review. Every Contend profile passes a human theological review against the Statement of Faith before it is published as approved teaching. This profile is in that queue. Sources: Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain), verified verse by verse. Name and reference data: STEP Bible (TIPNR), Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0.