James
maleNew TestamentMeaning: “Supplanter”
A fisherman of the inner circle of three, brother of John, nicknamed a "son of thunder" — the first of the twelve apostles to be martyred, killed by Herod Agrippa.
Biography
James, son of Zebedee and elder brother of John, was a Galilean fisherman called by Jesus while mending nets (Matthew 4:21). With Peter and John he belonged to Jesus' innermost circle of three.
A son of thunder
Jesus nicknamed James and John "Boanerges... The sons of thunder" (Mark 3:17), fitting their fiery temperament — as when they wished to call down fire on a Samaritan village (Luke 9:54). Their mother once asked that they sit at Jesus' right and left in His kingdom; Jesus answered that they would indeed drink His cup (Matthew 20:20–23).
The first martyr among the Twelve
James was present at the Transfiguration, the raising of Jairus's daughter, and Gethsemane. He was the first of the apostles to die for the faith: "Herod the king... killed James the brother of John with the sword" (Acts 12:1–2) — fulfilling Jesus' word that he would drink the cup of suffering.
Life Timeline
Called by Jesus from his fishing nets
Killed by the sword under Herod Agrippa — first apostle martyred
On the Bible timeline
James belongs to the The Early Church era (c. AD 30 – 100).
- c. AD 30 – 33The Crucifixion & Resurrection
- c. AD 30 – 33Pentecost
- c. AD 34 – 36The Conversion of Paul
- c. AD 46 – 57Paul's Missionary Journeys
- AD 70The Destruction of the Temple
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from James
Biblical themes that run through the passages where James appears.
People they appear with
Scripture Appearances
5 verses in 3 booksMatthew2 verses
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 10:2
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
Mark2 verses
Acts1 verse
Acts 12:2
And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
Frequently asked about James
Who was James in the Bible?
A fisherman of the inner circle of three, brother of John, nicknamed a "son of thunder" — the first of the twelve apostles to be martyred, killed by Herod Agrippa.
What does the name James mean?
The name James means “Supplanter”.
What did James do in the Bible?
James served as apostle, fisherman.
Who were James's parents?
James was the child of Zebedee, Salome.
Where does James appear in the Bible?
James is mentioned 5 times across 3 books: Matthew, Mark, Acts.
What can we learn from James?
The story of James touches on themes of apostles, devotedness to god, fishermen, herod — explore each to study the lessons drawn from James's life.
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