James, Son of Zebedee (Mark 1:16–20; Luke 5:1–11; Mark 3:13–19; Luke 6:12–16; Mark 5:35–43; Mark 9:2–13; Mark 14:32–42; Luke 9:51–56; Mark 10:35–45; Mark 13:3–4; Acts 1:12–14; Acts 12:1–5)

Brother of John, One of the Sons of Thunder

A fisherman who left his father Zebedee's boat to follow Jesus, one of the three taken apart with Jesus on several occasions, and who was killed with the sword by Herod the king (Acts 12:2).

James is named with his brother John in the call by the sea of Galilee: “he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending the nets. And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after him” (Mark 1:19-20). Jesus surnamed the two “Boanerges, which is, Sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17).

With Peter and John he is one of those Jesus took with him at the house of the ruler of the synagogue, on the high mountain, and in Gethsemane (Mark 5:37; Mark 9:2; Mark 14:33). The Gospels also record two sayings of James and John together: wishing to bid fire come down on a Samaritan village (Luke 9:54) and asking for places at Jesus' right hand and left (Mark 10:37).

Acts names him in the upper chamber (Acts 1:13) and records his death in a single verse: “And he killed James the brother of John with the sword” (Acts 12:2). Other men in the New Testament are also named James, among them James the son of Alphæus (Matthew 10:3); this study follows only the son of Zebedee.

Strengths

• Readiness to follow
• Ready to drink Jesus' cup
• Nearness to Jesus

Weaknesses

• Zeal that wished judgment
• Seeking rank

Themes

• Discipleship
• Sacrifice
• Ambition and service
• Martyrdom

Called from the boat (Mark 1:19–20; Luke 5:8–11)

Jesus calls James and John as they mend the nets, and they leave their father Zebedee and go after him.

Chosen as one of the twelve (Mark 3:13–19; Luke 6:12–16)

James is named among the twelve Jesus appointed; he and John are surnamed Sons of thunder.

Taken apart with Peter and John (Mark 5:35–43; Mark 9:2–5; Mark 14:32–34)

Jesus lets only Peter, James and John go with him into the ruler's house, up the high mountain, and into Gethsemane.

Fire on a Samaritan village (Luke 9:51–56)

When a Samaritan village will not receive Jesus, James and John ask if they should bid fire come down; Jesus turns and rebukes them.

Fire on a Samaritan village

“And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we bid fire to come down from heaven, and consume them? But he turned, and rebuked them. And they went to another village” (Luke 9:54-56).

The account does not give James's words apart from John's; the question is asked of the two together.

A request for places beside Jesus (Mark 10:35–40)

James and John ask to sit on Jesus' right hand and left in his glory; Jesus asks if they are able to drink his cup.

A request for places beside Jesus

“And they said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and one on thy left hand, in thy glory. But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink the cup that I drink? or to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? And they said unto him, We are able” (Mark 10:37-39).

Jesus answers, “The cup that I drink ye shall drink; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: but to sit on my right hand or on my left hand is not mine to give” (Mark 10:39-40).

Asking on the mount of Olives (Mark 13:3–4)

Peter, James, John and Andrew ask Jesus privately when the things he has said will be.

In the upper chamber (Acts 1:12–14)

James is named among the apostles who abode in the upper chamber, continuing in prayer.

Killed by Herod (Acts 12:1–3)

Herod the king afflicts some of the church and kills James the brother of John with the sword.

Killed by Herod

“Now about that time Herod the king put forth his hands to afflict certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword” (Acts 12:1-2).

When Herod saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also (Acts 12:3). The text gives no more of James's last days than this one verse.

Jesus (Mark 1:19–20; Mark 3:17; Mark 9:2)

Called him, named him a Son of thunder, and took him apart with Peter and John.

John (Mark 1:19; Luke 9:54; Mark 10:35–37; Acts 12:2)

His brother; called with him, named with him, and asking with him.

Zebedee (Mark 1:19–20)

His father, left in the boat with the hired servants.

Peter (Luke 5:8–11; Mark 5:37; Mark 9:2; Mark 14:33)

Taken with him and John on three occasions; a partner in the fishing.

Herod the king (Acts 12:1–2)

Killed him with the sword.

Major sections

• Mark 1:16–20
• Mark 10:35–45
• Luke 9:51–56
• Acts 12:1–5

More illuminations · Harbinger's Lamp