James Zebedee
- James Collazo
- May 9, 2020
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 12
Introduction
James, son of Zebedee (Hebrew: Yaakov ben Zavdi / Greek: Iakōbos ho tou Zebedaiou), was born around AD 2 in the Roman client kingdom of Galilee. He worked as a fisherman with his father Zebedee and his brother John (Matt. 4:21, 10:2; Mark 1:19), and they were business partners with Peter (Luke 5:10). When Jesus called James and John to be two of his twelve apostles, they still had an enterprising mindset. He nicknamed them the "sons of thunder" (Greek: boanerges, G993, from Aramaic ben and regesh, H1123 / H7285) after they tried to secure places of honor in God's kingdom (Matt. 20:20; Mark 3:17, 10:35–37). James and John were also known for their zeal, especially when they suggested that Jesus destroy the Samaritan villages that had rejected him (Luke 9:54).
Inner Circle of Jesus
James was part of Jesus' inner circle, along with John and Peter. Often, they were the only apostles to witness some of his supernatural works, such as raising Jairus' daughter from the dead (Mark 5:22, 35–37). James also traveled with Peter and John to a mountain, where they saw Jesus transfigured and witnessed him speaking with Moses and Elijah (Matt. 17:1–3; Mark 9:1–5; Luke 9:27–30). Jesus sometimes allowed his inner circle—Peter, James, John, and Andrew—to ask questions about the destruction of the Jerusalem temple. He rewarded their honest search for truth by revealing glimpses of the events of the end times (Mark 13:3–37).
James: First Martyr of the Apostles
In the Acts of the Apostles, Luke writes:
King Herod began to harass some who belonged to the church. He had James, John's brother, killed with a sword. When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he also arrested Peter. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread (Acts 12:1–3).
The sudden and tragic death of James shook the early Christian community. His martyrdom reminded them of the dangers of proclaiming their faith in a hostile world. Yet even under persecution, Jesus' followers remained steadfast, maintaining their resolve despite the loss of one of their most prominent leaders.
Peter's arrest increased the believers' fear, as they worried about the persecution that might follow. Yet this difficult time also revealed the power of prayer and the strength of their community, as they prayed for Peter's release. James' death and Peter's imprisonment became pivotal moments for the early church, illustrating the courage and challenges faced by those who followed Christ.
Conclusion
James, son of Zebedee, showed the power of faith and dedication. He worked as a fisherman in Galilee until he met Jesus, which transformed his life. Along with his brother John and his friend Peter, he witnessed Jesus perform miracles and teach important lessons. He grew into a strong leader in the early church. Even when people threatened him and eventually killed him for his beliefs, James continued to spread Jesus' message of love and forgiveness. His life reminds us that faith shapes both what we believe and how we act. James' courage and devotion inspire us to remain strong in difficult times and to live with humility, dedication, and a genuine care for others.
Prayer
Blessed are you, LORD our God, King of heaven and earth. Your apostle James, son of Zebedee, was the first to die for your Son's name. Grant our church leaders humility, wisdom, and courage to serve faithfully and to stand firm in faith. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Bibliography
Houdmann, S. Michael. "What Can We Learn from What the Bible Says About James the Apostle?" Got Questions. January 5, 2022. [link].
⸻. "Why Did Jesus Refer to James and John as the Sons of Thunder?" Got Questions. January 4, 2022. [link].
Nelson, Ryan. "Who Was Saint James? The Beginner's Guide." OverviewBible. February 7, 2019. [link].
