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James, Son of Zebedee

James, Son of ZebedeeSon of Thunder (Boanerges) (epithet)

Older brother of John the Apostle, Galilean fisherman in the boat during the tempest, member of Jesus' inner three, and the first of the twelve apostles to lay down his life as a martyr in Acts 12.

Testament NT
Historical Era The Early Church
Featured In Season 12
Key Passage Mark 1:19–20
✦ Tap Any Card to Unfold Full Scriptural Proof (2 Verified Insights)
Greek: Iakobos (from Hebrew: Ya'akov — 'Jacob')
Mark 1:19
Executed with the sword in Jerusalem by King Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12:2)
Acts 12:1–2
📜 Complete Scriptural Narrative

Called with his brother John while mending nets in their father Zebedee's boat on the Sea of Galilee (Mark 1:19–20), James was nicknamed 'Boanerges' (Sons of Thunder) by Jesus (Mark 3:17). He experienced the midnight squall on the lake when Jesus rebuked the wind (Mark 4:35–41), stood in the inner circle with Peter and John at the Transfiguration and Gethsemane, and became the first of the Twelve to be martyred by the sword under Herod Agrippa I around AD 44 (Acts 12:1–2).

How Students Search & Remember James, Son of Zebedee:
“brother of john son of zebedee”“son of thunder boanerges”“first apostle martyred in acts 12”
ESV Scripture Index:
Mark 1:19–20Mark 3:17Mark 4:35–41Acts 12:1–2
Season 12 • Episode 3 Storytime Figure Mark 4 • Ephesians 6
Full Episode Page →

The Shoes of Peace — Sleeping in the Storm

Role in Storytime: Older brother of John in the fishing boat who marvels, 'Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?'

Jesus asleep in the squall; divine peace giving believers supernatural traction.

✦ Storytime Broadcast Theater • S12E3
Sleeping in the Storm (Mark 4 • Ephesians 6)
Open on YouTube ↗
🎬 X-Ray • Also in Episode S12E3 (Tap to Switch Character)
Greek • G2091 Hetoimasia — “Shoes / Preparation”
Readiness, firm footing, a prepared foundation.
Greek • G1515 Eirene — “Peace”
Wholeness, completeness, tranquility, and harmony that is untethered from external circumstances.
Greek • G2978 Lailaps — “Windstorm / Squall”
A fierce gale, a furious storm, a hurricane.
Season 12 Workbook
Season 12 Companion Study Workbook
Season 12: The Invisible Arsenal
Workbook Story Time: p. 36 • Greek/Hebrew Roots: p. 38
Instant Scriptural & Descriptive Clue Matches
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