Son of Zebedee, one of the Twelve Apostles
James
Named in 19 verses across 4 books, first in Matthew 4:21.
ἸάκωβοςJames
The name means “same as Jacob.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
About James Written by AI
James, the son of Zebedee and brother of John, was one of the Twelve Apostles chosen by Jesus. He was a fisherman by trade and was called by Jesus, along with his brother, to follow Him (Matthew 4:21; Mark 1:19). James, John, and Peter formed Jesus' inner circle and were present at significant events such as the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1; Mark 9:2; Luke 9:28) and Jesus' agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:33). Jesus surnamed James and John "Boanerges," meaning "Sons of Thunder" (Mark 3:17), possibly referring to their zealous and passionate nature. James and his brother also asked Jesus for positions of honor in His kingdom (Mark 10:35 to 41). After Jesus' ascension, James continued to play a prominent role in the early church (Acts 1:13). He was the first of the Twelve Apostles to be martyred, executed by Herod Agrippa I around 44 AD (Acts 12:2).
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
This entry is on the name James, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.
(1.) The son of Zebedee and Salome; an elder brother of John the apostle. He was one of the twelve. He was by trade a fisherman, in partnership with Peter (Matt. 20:20; 27:56). With John and Peter he was present at the transfiguration (Matt. 17:1; Mark 9:2), at the raising of Jairus’s daughter (Mark 5:37-43), and in the garden with our Lord (14:33). Because, probably, of their boldness and energy, he and John were called Boanerges, i.e., “sons of thunder.” He was the first martyr among the apostles, having been beheaded by King Herod Agrippa (Acts 12:1, 2), A.D. 44. (Comp. Matt. 4:21; 20:20-23).
(2.) The son of Alphaeus, or Cleopas, “the brother” or near kinsman or cousin of our Lord (Gal. 1:18, 19), called James “the Less,” or “the Little,” probably because he was of low stature. He is mentioned along with the other apostles (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15). He had a separate interview with our Lord after his resurrection (1 Cor. 15:7), and is mentioned as one of the apostles of the circumcision (Acts 1:13). He appears to have occupied the position of head of the Church at Jerusalem, where he presided at the council held to consider the case of the Gentiles (Acts 12:17; 15:13-29: 21:18-24). This James was the author of the epistle which bears his name.
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
Where the Bible names him
- Matthew 4:21
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,
- Matthew 10:2
These are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John;
- Matthew 17:1
After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
- Mark 1:19
Going on a little farther, He saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat, mending their nets.
- Mark 1:29
As soon as Jesus and His companions had left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew.
- Mark 3:17
James son of Zebedee and his brother John (whom He named Boanerges, meaning “Sons of Thunder”),
- Mark 5:37
And He did not allow anyone to accompany Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.
- Mark 9:2
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.
- Mark 10:35
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 10:41
When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John.
- Mark 13:3
While Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately,
- Mark 14:33
He took with Him Peter, James, and John, and began to be deeply troubled and distressed.
- Luke 5:10
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 6:14
Simon, whom He named Peter, and his brother Andrew; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew;
- Luke 8:51
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.
- Luke 9:28
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.
- Luke 9:54
When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do You want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?”
- Acts 1:13
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.
- Acts 12:2
He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.