John, Son of Zebedee (Mark 1:16–20; Luke 5:1–11; Mark 3:13–19; Mark 5:35–43; Mark 9:2–13; Mark 9:38–41; Luke 9:51–56; Mark 10:35–45; Mark 14:32–42; John 13:21–26; John 19:25–27; John 20:1–10; John 21; Acts 3:1–4:22; Acts 8:14–25)

Brother of James, One of the Sons of Thunder

A fisherman called with his brother James from their father Zebedee's boat, one of the three taken apart with Jesus, and later named with Peter in Acts at the temple and in Samaria.

John is named with his brother James in the call by the sea of Galilee: Jesus “saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending the nets” (Mark 1:19), and they went after him (Mark 1:20). Jesus surnamed the brothers “Boanerges, which is, Sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17).

The Gospels show him in the circle nearest Jesus (Mark 5:37; Mark 9:2; Mark 14:33), speaking once alone, “Teacher, we saw one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followed not us” (Mark 9:38), and twice with James (Luke 9:54; Mark 10:35-37). In Acts he is with Peter at the temple and before the rulers (Acts 3:1; Acts 4:19-20) and is sent with him to Samaria (Acts 8:14).

The Gospel of John speaks of “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 21:20) without naming him, and says that “This is the disciple that beareth witness of these things, and wrote these things” (John 21:24). The Gospel and the letters do not name John, son of Zebedee, as their author (2 John 1 and 3 John 1 name only the elder), and Revelation names a John (Revelation 1:9) without saying which; Christians differ on whether he is the beloved disciple and on who wrote each of these books.

Strengths

• Readiness to follow
• Nearness to Jesus
• Boldness before the rulers

Weaknesses

• Zeal that wished judgment
• Seeking rank
• Forbidding another's work

Themes

• Discipleship
• Witness
• Boldness
• Zeal and rebuke

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.

Sons of thunder (Mark 3:13–19; Luke 6:12–16)

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

Taken apart with Peter and James (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.

One casting out demons, and a Samaritan village (Mark 9:38–39; Luke 9:51–56)

John says they forbade a man casting out demons in Jesus' name; later he and James ask to bid fire come down on a village.

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.

A request for places beside Jesus

“And there come near unto him James and John, the sons of Zebedee, saying unto him, Teacher, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall ask of thee” (Mark 10:35).

They asked, “Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and one on thy left hand, in thy glory” (Mark 10:37). Jesus answered, “Ye know not what ye ask” (Mark 10:38), and said that the places were “for them for whom it hath been prepared” (Mark 10:40).

The disciple whom Jesus loved (John 13:23–25; John 19:25–27; John 20:1–8; John 21:7; John 21:20–24)

The Gospel of John names a disciple whom Jesus loved at the table, at the cross, at the tomb and at the sea of Tiberias.

The disciple whom Jesus loved

“There was at the table reclining in Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23). Standing by the cross, “the disciple standing by whom he loved” (John 19:26) took Jesus' mother “unto his own home” (John 19:27). He ran with Peter to the tomb, and “he saw, and believed” (John 20:8).

At the sea of Tiberias “That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord” (John 21:7). The Gospel ends, “This is the disciple that beareth witness of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his witness is true” (John 21:24).

The Gospel never gives this disciple's name. Some Christians identify him as John, son of Zebedee, and others do not; the text of these verses is the same for all.

Peter and John at the temple (Acts 3:1–8; Acts 4:8–13; Acts 4:19–20)

Peter and John heal a lame man at the temple door and tell the rulers they cannot but speak what they saw and heard.

Peter and John at the temple

“Now Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour” (Acts 3:1). The rulers “beheld the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).

Peter and John answered the rulers, “for we cannot but speak the things which we saw and heard” (Acts 4:20).

Sent to Samaria (Acts 8:14–17; Acts 8:25)

The apostles at Jerusalem send Peter and John to Samaria, where they pray for the baptized that they may receive the Holy Spirit.

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 James.

James, son of Zebedee (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 (Mark 3:16–17; Mark 5:37; Acts 3:1; Acts 4:13; Acts 8:14)

Called to be among the twelve with him; with him at the temple, before the rulers and in Samaria.

Major sections

• Mark 1:16–20
• Mark 10:35–45
• John 21:1–2
• Acts 3:1–4:22
• Acts 8:14–25

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