James son of Zebedee
- James Collazo
- May 9, 2020
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 19
Introduction
James son of Zebedee (Hebrew: Yaakov ben Zavdi—Greek: Iakōbos ton tou Zebedaiou) was born circa AD 12 (3772–3773 in the Hebrew calendar) in the Roman district of Gaulanitus. He was a fisherman with his father Zebedee and his brother John (Matt. 4:21, 10:2; Mark 1:19), who were the business partners of Simon Peter (Luke 5:10). When Jesus called James and John to join 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 gain places of honor in God's kingdom (Matt. 20:20; Mark 3:17, 10:35–37). James and John were also known for their enthusiasm, especially when they called for Jesus to destroy the Samaritan villages that rejected him (Luke 9:54).
Inner Circle of Jesus
James was part of Jesus' inner circle alongside John and Peter. Interestingly, they were often the only apostles to witness some of his supernatural wonders (e.g., raising Jairus' daughter from the dead [Mark 5:22, 35–37]). James traveled with Peter and John on a mountain, where they each saw Jesus transfigured and watched him speak to Moses and Elijah (Matt. 17:1–3; Mark 9:1–5; Luke 9:27–30). Jesus would discreetly allow his inner circle of Peter, James, John, and Andrew to ask about the Jerusalem temple's demise. He rewarded their honest search for truth by foreshadowing the events of the end times (Mark 13:3–37).
James: First Martyr of the Apostles
In the Acts of the Apostles, Luke wrote, "About that time, 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 sent shockwaves through the early Christian community. His martyrdom served as a stark reminder of the dangers they faced in proclaiming their faith in a hostile environment. Yet, even in the face of persecution, the followers of Jesus remained steadfast, their resolve unshaken by the loss of one of their most prominent leaders.
Peter's arrest made the believers even more afraid as they worried about persecution. However, this difficult time also showed the power of prayer and the strong support of their community as they prayed for Peter to be set free. James' death and Peter's imprisonment were essential moments for the early church, showing the bravery and struggles of those who followed Christ.
Conclusion
James son of Zebedee showed the incredible power of faith and dedication. He started as a simple fisherman in Galilee, but his life changed when he met Jesus. James saw Jesus perform miracles and teach powerful lessons along with his brother John and his friend Peter. He became a strong leader in the early Christian church. Even when he faced danger and was eventually killed for his beliefs, James never gave up on spreading Jesus' message of love and forgiveness. His life reminds us that faith is about what we believe and how we live. James' bravery and commitment to Jesus encourage us to stay strong when life gets tough. His story teaches us to be humble, dedicated, and willing to put others before ourselves.
Prayer
Blessed are you, LORD our God, King of the universe; your servant and apostle James were first among the twelve to suffer martyrdom for the name of Jesus: pour out upon the leaders of your church that spirit of self-denying service by which they may have proper authority among your people; through Jesus the Messiah our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Bibliography
Book of Common Prayer. Huntington Beach, CA: Anglican Liturgy Press, 2019.
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.
