James
Summary
Profile
James, son of Zebedee and brother of John, was one of the twelve apostles. He was among the first to die as a follower of Jesus. His mother might have been the sister of Mary, the mother of Jesus. This would mean he was the cousin of Jesus (see Matthew 27:56; Mark 15:40; 16:1; John 19:25). His name usually appears before John's, which might mean James was older. This James was not James, son of Alphaeus (see Luke 6:15) or James, brother of Jesus.
James and John were fishermen like their father (Matthew 4:21; Mark 1:19). They fished with Peter and Andrew, another pair of brothers who became disciples (Luke 5:10). They were among the first people Jesus called to be his disciples. They left everything, including their father, to follow him (Matthew 4:22; Mark 1:20; Luke 5:11). Jesus called them “Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17). This might mean they had strong personalities (see Luke 9:54), though the exact meaning is unclear.
James and his brother John were very close to Jesus. Along with Peter, they formed a trusted group of disciples who joined Jesus on special occasions. They were with him when he healed Jairus's daughter (Mark 5:37; Luke 8:51), talked with Elijah and Moses on a mountain (Matthew 17:1–3; Mark 9:2–4; Luke 9:28–30), and prayed in the garden (Matthew 26:37; Mark 14:33). At one time, the two brothers upset the other disciples by asking for special positions in the coming kingdom of God (Matthew 20:20–28; Mark 10:35–45; compare Luke 22:24–27).
Herod Agrippa had James killed soon after the death of Jesus, which pleased the Jewish leaders (Acts 12:1–3). Herod might have done this because James was an important leader among the disciples. This event fulfilled the prediction Jesus spoke that James would share in his suffering (Matt 20:23; Mark 10:38–39).
James was an ordinary worker whom Jesus called to be his disciple. He left his job, family, and home to follow Jesus with simple trust. Eventually, he died for Jesus, making him a model of committed discipleship.
Passages for Further Study
Matthew 4:21–22; 10:2; 17:1; 20:20–24; 26:37–46; Mark 1:19–20, 29; 3:17; 5:37; 9:2; 10:35–41; 13:3–4; 14:33–42; Luke 5:10; 6:14; 8:51; 9:28, 54–55; John 21:2; Acts 1:13; 12:2
Events
- Fishers of Menc. AD 27
- Apostles Chosenc. AD 28
- The Transfiguationc. AD 29
- Olivet Discourse
- Herod kills Jamesc. AD 40
Glossary entries
Family members
Alternative names
- ἸάκωβοςJames
Mentions
Includes 6 verses that refer to James without naming them, as “he”, “she”, or the subject of a verb.
- Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Jesus called them,
- These are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John;
- After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
- Going on a little farther, He saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat, mending their nets.
- Mark 1:20Referred to, not namedImmediately Jesus called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed Him.
- As soon as Jesus and His companions had left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew.
- James son of Zebedee and his brother John (whom He named Boanerges, meaning “Sons of Thunder”),
- And He did not allow anyone to accompany Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.
- After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them.
- Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and declared, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.”
- Mark 10:36Referred to, not named“What do you want Me to do for you?” He inquired.
- Mark 10:37Referred to, not namedThey answered, “Grant that one of us may sit at Your right hand and the other at Your left in Your glory.”
- Mark 10:38Referred to, not named“You do not know what you are asking,” Jesus replied. “Can you drink the cup I will drink, or be baptized with the baptism I will undergo?”
- Mark 10:39Referred to, not named“We can,” the brothers answered. “You will drink the cup that I drink,” Jesus said, “and you will be baptized with the baptism that I undergo.
- When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John.
- While Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately,
- He took with Him Peter, James, and John, and began to be deeply troubled and distressed.
- …and so were his partners James and John, the sons of Zebedee. “Do not be afraid,” Jesus said to Simon. “From now on you will catch men.”
- Luke 5:11Referred to, not namedAnd when they had brought their boats ashore, they left everything and followed Him.
- Simon, whom He named Peter, and his brother Andrew; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew;
- When He entered the house, He did not allow anyone to go in with Him except Peter, John, James, and the child’s father and mother.
- About eight days after Jesus had said these things, He took with Him Peter, John, and James, and went up on a mountain to pray.
- When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do You want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?”
- When they arrived, they went to the upper room where they were staying: Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.
- He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.