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James, son of Zebedee

a “son of thunder”

Who was James, son of Zebedee?

There are two men named James among the Twelve: this is the son of Zebedee.

The name
“James” comes from Iakobos, the name of the patriarch Jacob. Benedict XVI, general audience of June 21, 2006
Also called
Boanerges, “sons of thunder”: the name Jesus gave to him and his brother John Mark 3:17 · James the Greater: Tradition calls him this to tell him apart from the other James among the Twelve Benedict XVI, general audience of June 21, 2006
From
From Galilee; the Bible does not say which town Acts 1:11, 13
Occupation
Fisherman, with his father and his brother Matthew 4:21
Feast day
July 25: Saint James, Apostle
James, son of Zebedee, an artistic recreation

What the Bible says

Matthew 4:21

And 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, mending their nets: and he called them.

Matthew 4:22

And they forthwith left their nets and father, and followed him.

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.

The path of James, son of Zebedee

  1. Before Jesus. He fished on the Sea of Galilee with his father, Zebedee, and his brother John. Matthew 4:18, 21
  2. With Jesus. Jesus called him. James left the boat and his father, and followed him. Matthew 4:21-22
  3. With Jesus. He was one of the Twelve. Jesus gave him and John a nickname: “sons of thunder.” Mark 3:14, 17
  4. With Jesus. Jesus took James, with Peter and John, to the house of Jairus, up the high mountain, and into Gethsemane. Mark 5:37; Matthew 17:1; Mark 14:33
  5. With Jesus. With John, he wanted to call down fire from heaven on a Samaritan town. Jesus rebuked them. Luke 9:52-55
  6. With Jesus. With John, he asked for the first places in the glory of Jesus. Jesus told them they would drink his cup. Mark 10:37-39
  7. Afterward. King Herod had him killed by the sword. Acts 12:1-2
  8. Afterward. According to Tradition: According to tradition, his tomb is in Santiago de Compostela, in Spain. Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “St. James the Greater”; Benedict XVI, general audience of June 21, 2006

Words of James, son of Zebedee

“Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them?” Luke 9:54

He said it with his brother John, when a town in Samaria would not welcome Jesus.

“Master, we desire that whatsoever we shall ask, thou wouldst do it for us.” Mark 10:35

He said it with his brother John, on the way to Jerusalem.

“Grant to us, that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.” Mark 10:37

He asked it with John, when Jesus asked them what they wanted.

“We can.” Mark 10:39

He answered it with John, when Jesus asked them if they could drink his cup.

“Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall begin to be fulfilled?” Mark 13:4

He asked it with Peter, John, and Andrew, on the Mount of Olives.

What they were like

The greatest thing they did

Not to be confused with

In the Church today

Feast day: July 25, Saint James, Apostle (feast). General Roman Calendar

Patron of: Of Spain Paul VI, address for the feast of the apostle Saint James, July 25, 1976; Of pilgrims John Paul II, Prayer at the Tomb of the Apostle James, Santiago de Compostela, August 19, 1989

In art, recognized by: The pilgrim’s staff and the scroll of the Gospel Benedict XVI, general audience of June 21, 2006; The shell, the staff, and the hat of the pilgrims who travel to his tomb John Paul II, vigil with young people, Santiago de Compostela, August 19, 1989

James, son of Zebedee in art

The Calling of the Sons of Zebedee, by Marco Basaiti
The Calling of the Sons of Zebedee, Marco Basaiti, 1510. Gallerie dell’Accademia, Venice
Saint James the Greater, by El Greco
Saint James the Greater, El Greco, h. 1610-1614. El Greco Museum, Toledo

What people ask

How did the apostle James die?

King Herod had him killed by the sword. He is the only one of the Twelve whose martyrdom the Bible tells. Acts 12:1-2

Why is he called James the Greater?

Tradition calls him this to tell him apart from the other James among the Twelve. The other one, the son of Alphaeus, is called James the Less. Benedict XVI, general audience of June 21, 2006

Is James buried in Compostela?

According to tradition, yes: his body was taken to Santiago de Compostela, where the Camino de Santiago, the Way of Saint James, ends. Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “St. James the Greater”; Benedict XVI, general audience of June 21, 2006

Did the son of Zebedee write the Letter of James?

No: Tradition attributes it to another James, a very important man in the Church of Jerusalem. The son of Zebedee died a martyr around the year 44. Acts 12:2; Benedict XVI, general audience of June 28, 2006; Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “St. James the Greater”

Does James speak in the Gospels?

Never on his own. Whatever he says in the Gospels, he says together with his brother John or with other apostles. Luke 9:54; Mark 10:35-39; Mark 13:3-4

Daily life He was a fisherman with his father, Zebedee; he left the boat and his father to follow Jesus. Matthew 4:21-22 Their failings With his brother John, he asked…

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Who James, son of Zebedee is connected to

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