In brief
James, son of Zebedee, is a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee, a partner of Simon Peter and the brother of the apostle John. Jesus calls him to follow, and he leaves his boat. He is one of the Twelve and of the inner circle around Jesus, with Peter and John, notably at the transfiguration. Later, King Herod puts him to death with the sword. He is the first of the Twelve whose death the Bible records, for following Christ.
What does the name James, son of Zebedee mean?
James is the English form of the Hebrew name Jacob. Several men in the Bible bear this name, hence the addition “son of Zebedee” to tell them apart. The Bible gives no explanation of his name, but presents him as the brother of John (Acts 12:2).
The story of James, son of Zebedee
Called by the Lake
Matthew 4:18-22Jesus walks along the Sea of Galilee and calls fishermen: Simon, Andrew, then two other brothers, James and John, sons of Zebedee. He tells them to follow him. Immediately they leave their boat and their father. James thus goes from the trade of a fisherman to the life of a disciple of Jesus.
The Miraculous Catch
Luke 5:1-11James and John are Simon’s partners. After a night without a catch, Jesus tells them to let down the net, and the catch is so large that the boats begin to sink. Simon falls at Jesus’ knees. Jesus says to him: “Don’t be afraid. From now on you will be catching people alive.” They leave everything and follow him.
Sent Out with the Twelve
Luke 9:1-6Jesus gathers the Twelve and gives them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sends them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. They go from village to village, announcing the good news. James is part of this group sent on mission.
On the Mountain of the Transfiguration
Mark 9:2-8Six days later, Jesus takes Peter, James and John aside on a high mountain. He is transfigured before them, his clothes become dazzling white, and Elijah and Moses appear to them. A voice comes out of the cloud: “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” James witnesses the glory of Christ.
The First Martyr Among the Twelve
Acts 12:1-2About that time, King Herod begins to mistreat some members of the church. The Bible says he killed James, the brother of John, with the sword. The account is very brief, with no speech, and records no word of James. Herod then has Peter arrested, but the church prays for him.
What James, son of Zebedee teaches us
- Jesus’ call demands a concrete answer: James leaves the boat, the trade and even his father to follow him.
- Being close to Jesus does not protect from suffering: James is the first of the Twelve to die for his faith.
- Jesus takes James up the mountain to show him his glory: communion with him comes before service.
- The disciples are sent with power and with simplicity: authority comes from Jesus, not from the means of the mission.
- A short life can carry great weight in God’s plan.
Key verses
Jesus calls Simon and Andrew, then James and John, to follow him and promises to make them fishers of men. He does not ask for a particular talent, but for them to follow him.
Jesus takes with him Peter, James and John, and brings them up by themselves to a high mountain apart. James is one of the three witnesses chosen to see Jesus transfigured.
Herod killed James, the brother of John, with the sword. This plain verse is the only account of James’s death, as the first of the apostles to give his life for Christ.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Jesus choose James?
The Bible does not give the reasons. It shows that Jesus calls him by the lake, while he is a fisherman with his brother John and his father Zebedee (Matthew 4:21-22). He then belongs to the Twelve and to the inner circle around Jesus, with Peter and John.
What does the name James mean?
James is the English form of the Hebrew name Jacob, which is the same as the patriarch’s. The Bible does not explain the apostle’s name. He is told apart from other men named James by the phrase “son of Zebedee” or “brother of John” (Acts 12:2).
Where can I find the story of James, son of Zebedee, in the Bible?
His call is in Matthew 4:18-22 and Luke 5:1-11, his sending with the Twelve in Luke 9:1-6, and the transfiguration in Mark 9:2-8. His death by the sword under Herod is told in Acts 12:1-2, in a single sentence.