James (Son of Zebedee)
A person in the Bible. Also called James the Greater, James son of Zebedee, James the Great, Saint James the Greater.
| Classification | Biblical figure |
|---|---|
| Alias | James the Greater |
| Era | 1st century |
| Related Figures | John the apostle (brother), Zebedee (father), Peter |
| Biblical References | The Gospels, Acts |
James, the son of Zebedee, was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus and the brother of the apostle John. According to the Book of Acts, he was killed with the sword by King Herod, and he is the only one of the Twelve whose martyrdom is recorded in Scripture.
About this articleAI draft from a Korean source. Notes on Korean Protestant practice. No sources listed. Not yet reviewed by a person.
- Origin
Drafted by AI from the Korean church.wiki article, then translated and adapted for English readers on 5 November 2026.
- Perspective
Includes notes on Korean Protestant practice; other traditions are noted where they differ.
- Sources
None listed yet. The article draws on the biblical text and general reference works. Add a source
- Review
Not yet reviewed by a person. Last edited by a person: never. Translation updated 5 November 2026. Edit history
Biblical Record
James was the son of Zebedee, a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee, and the brother of John. According to Mark 1:19-20, he was mending nets in a boat with his father when Jesus called him, and he and John left to follow Jesus. The passage notes that the family had hired servants. Luke 5:10 states that the brothers were partners with Simon Peter.
In the lists of the Twelve Disciples (Matthew 10:2; Mark 3:17; Luke 6:14; Acts 1:13), his name always appears near the beginning. Jesus gave James and John the name "Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder" (Mark 3:17).
James frequently appears with Peter and John in scenes at which the other disciples were not present. Examples include the raising of Jairus's daughter (Mark 5:37), the Transfiguration, in which Jesus' appearance was changed (Mark 9:2), and the prayer in Gethsemane (Mark 14:33). When a Samaritan village refused to receive Jesus, he and John asked that fire be called down from heaven and were rebuked (Luke 9:54-55). The brothers also asked to sit at Jesus' right and left hand in His glory (Mark 10:35-45); in Matthew 20:20-28, the request is made by their mother.
Acts 12:2 briefly records that King Herod "killed James the brother of John with the sword." This Herod is generally identified as Herod Agrippa I, and the event is usually dated to the early A.D. 40s.
Significance Within Scripture
James's death is commonly read as the fulfillment of Jesus' words in Mark 10:39: "Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of." The disciple who had sought a place of honor ended his life as a martyr. His consistent inclusion in the inner circle of disciples also suggests his prominence in the early community of disciples.
Interpretation and Points of Discussion
- Distinction from others named James: The New Testament mentions several people named James, among them James the son of Alphaeus and James the brother of the Lord. The Epistle of James is traditionally attributed to James the brother of the Lord; the view that James the son of Zebedee wrote it is rare. The epithet "James the Greater" arose to distinguish him from "James the less" in Mark 15:40.
- His mother: Some interpreters identify "the mother of Zebedee's children" in Matthew 27:56 with Salome in Mark 15:40. This, however, is an inference drawn from comparing the two passages; neither text states it directly.
- Extrabiblical tradition: The story that James preached in Spain and that his remains were laid to rest at Santiago de Compostela is a tradition that spread widely in the Middle Ages. It has no basis in Scripture. The Catholic Church observes his feast day on July 25. Protestants generally do not accept this tradition as historical fact and are critical of the practice of venerating the relics of saints.
Perspective: Korean Protestant practiceHow this figure is used in Korean churches, kept from the original Korean article.
In preaching in Korean churches, the passage in Mark 10 about the disciples' dispute over places of honor is frequently addressed. Together with Jesus' teaching on becoming a servant (Mark 10:43-45), it is used to explain servant leadership. The impetuous temperament of the "sons of thunder" and James's later transformation are also common themes in sermons and Sunday school lessons on growth in discipleship. As the Camino de Santiago has become known in Korea, some Korean church members have walked the route, but this is a matter of personal travel or a pilgrimage to holy sites.
Where James (Son of Zebedee) appears
12 passages in the King James Version. Each opens in the Bible with a way back to this article.
- Matthew 4:21And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father,…
- Matthew 17:1And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
- Mark 1:19, 29And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending…
- Mark 5:37And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.
- Mark 9:2And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he…
- Mark 10:35, 41And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.
- Mark 13:3And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
- Mark 14:33And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;
- Luke 5:10And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth…
- Luke 8:51And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden.
Show all 12 passages
See also 8
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