THE APOSTLE JAMES Privacy Policy The Apostle James ( Son of Zebedee ) Of the three apostles who comprised the inner circle of Jesus' disciples (Peter, James and John), we know the least about the apostle James. We do know, however, that the apostle James was the eldest brother of the apostle John and that their father's name was Zebedee (their mother's name was Salome.) James, his brother John, Peter and Andrew were all partners in a fishing business prior to being called by Christ Jesus to follow Him. Zebedee was, also, a partner in the business. There is some evidence that James was the first cousin of Jesus the Messiah and had been acquainted with Him from infancy. It is believed that his mother Salome was the sister of Jesus' mother Mary. Not much is known of his ministry after Jesus' resurrection. It is believed, however, that he lived another 14 years before his martyrdom. In fact, the apostle James was the first apostle to suffer martyrdom. By order of Herod Agrippa I, James was beheaded in Jerusalem about the feast of Easter, 44 AD.

It is believed that within this 14 year period, James visited the Jewish colonist and slaves in Spain to preach the Gospel. It has been said that when the apostle James was led out to die, a man who had brought false accusations against him walked with him to the place of execution. He had doubtless expected to see James looking pale and frightened but he saw him, instead, bright and joyous, like a conqueror who had won a great battle. The false witness greatly wondered at this and became convinced that the Savior in whom the prisoner by his side believed must be the true God or He could not impart such cheerfulness and courage to a man about to die.

The man himself, therefore, became a convert to Christianity and was condemned to die with James the apostle ( both were consequently beheaded on the same day and with the same sword.) About the same period, Timon and Parmenas (two of the seven original deacons) suffered martyrdom ( the former at Corinth and the latter at Philippi in Macedonia.) Purchase Online (The Search for the Twelve Apostles) The information above is compiled from the book "The Search for the Twelve Apostles" by William Steuart McBirnie Ph.D, Copyright 1973 James the Apostle - The First to Be Martyred By Jack Zavada Updated February 16, 2016. The apostle James was honored with a favored position by Jesus Christ , as one of three men in his inner circle. The others were James' brother John and Simon Peter . When Jesus called the brothers, James and John were fishermen with their father Zebedee on the Sea of Galilee . They immediately left their father and their business to follow the young rabbi. James was probably the older of the two brothers because he is always mentioned first.

Three times James, John, and Peter were invited by Jesus to witness events no one else saw: the raising of the daughter of Jairus from the dead ( Mark 5:37-47 ), the transfiguration ( Matthew 17:1-3 ), and Jesus' agony in the Garden of Gethsemane ( Matthew 26:36-37 ). But James was not above making mistakes. When a Samaritan village rejected Jesus, he and John wanted to call down fire from heaven upon the place. This earned them the nickname "Boanerges," or "sons of thunder." The mother of James and John also overstepped her bounds, asking Jesus to grant her sons special positions in his kingdom. James' zeal for Jesus resulted in his being the first of the 12 apostles to be martyred. He was killed with the sword on order of King Herod Agrippa I of Judea, about 44 A.D., in a general persecution of the early church .

Two other men named James appear in the New Testament : James, the son of Alphaeus , another apostle; and James, the brother of the Lord, a leader in the Jerusalem church and author of the book of James . Accomplishments of the Apostle James: James followed Jesus as one of the 12 disciples . He proclaimed the gospel after Jesus' resurrection and was martyred for his faith. James' Strengths: James was a loyal disciple of Jesus. He apparently had outstanding personal qualities that are not detailed in Scripture, because his character made him one of Jesus' favorites. James' Weaknesses: With his brother John, James could be rash and unthinking. He did not always apply the gospel to earthly matters. Life Lessons from the Apostle James: Following Jesus Christ can lead to hardship and persecution, but the reward is eternal life with him in heaven. Hometown: Referenced in the Bible: The Apostle James is mentioned in all four Gospels and his martyrdom is cited in Acts 12:2 . Occupation: Fisherman, disciple of Jesus Christ .

Family Tree: Key Verses: Luke 9:52-56 And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?" But Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they went to another village. (NIV) Matthew 17:1-3 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah , talking with Jesus. (NIV) Acts 12:1-2 It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.

(NIV) • New Testament People of the Bible (Index) Jack Zavada, a career writer and contributor for About.com, is host to a Christian website for singles. Never married, Jack feels that the hard-won lessons he has learned may help other Christian singles make sense of their lives. His articles and ebooks offer great hope and encouragement. To contact him or for more information, visit Jack's Bio Page . James and John (bo-an-erg-es'); sons of commotion. (uproar-agitation-disturbance) Thunder-to roar (noisy display-discord-friction) Mark 10:35-38 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?

Mark 10:41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John. Jesus told these two nervy-rude-impolite apostles of His, "Ye know not what ye ask". You don't know what you're talking about". Luke 9:52-55 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. Face- A rrival. Jesus sent messengers before he arrived at villages on the way to Jerusalem, to acquire provisions and maybe a place to stay the night .The Samaritans could tell his face (direction ) was Jerusalem, and Jews had no dealings with Samaritans.

John 4:9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Anyway-Jesus answers these hotheaded loudmouths, James & John. He says. "Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of". You don't know what you're talking about. When Jesus asked James and John,"can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?", they answered and said "We can" and Jesus said indeed you will (Mark 10:39) . In Gethsemane, Jesus spoke of his death as a "cup" Mark 14:36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. The term "baptism" is a figure for suffering and death.

Luke 12:50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened (afflicted- constrained- endangered) till it be accomplished! Acts 12:1-2 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. The apostle James said he could drink of the cup and he was the first to die, as is recorded in the Bible. The apostle John wrote the Gospel of John and three Epistles. I John, II John and III John, AND the book of Revelation. It is of John that the Bible says. John 13:23 Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. John 20:2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. John 21:7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord.

Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. John 21:20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? John 21:21-24 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. Christ's reply to this inquiry is "if I choose that he remain till I come, and do not suffer as you must, what is that to you. Mind thou thy own duty, or responsibility.

As I told you in the beginning when I first chose you. "Follow Me". This seems to be a reference of Christ's purpose concerning John. That he should not die a violent death, like Peter, (history has it that Peter died by crucifixion-head down) [maybe this was in part for denying Him three times] but should tarry till Christ himself come for him by a natural death.. Historians tell us that John was the only one of all the twelve that did not actually die a martyr. He was often in danger, in captivity and exile; but he died in his bed in a good old age. Christ calls out some of his disciples to resist unto blood, but not all. Though the crown of martyrdom is bright and glorious, yet the beloved disciple did not have to endure it. Some understand that Jesus willed that John should not die till after Christ's coming to destroy Jerusalem in 70 A.D .All the other apostles died before that time; but John survived it by many years.

It could be that God willed it that one of the apostles should live so long as to close up the canon (writing) of the New Testament, which John did by writing the last verse in Rev., 22:21. What happened when Jesus was arrested in the garden? Mark 14:50 And they all forsook him, and fled. EXCEPT for Peter and John. John 18:15-18 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not. And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself. Peter followed afar off, that is, WAY BEHIND.

Matt 26:58 But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. Peter was watching from the outside and the apostle John had him brought inside. Peter was afraid to go inside but John was not. The high priest knew who Jesus' followers were. He knew who John was. OR it could be that Peter tried to go inside but because the leaders didn't know him, he was not allowed in. But at the cross Luke 23:49 And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things. Acquaintance -Those well known to Christ, which surely would be the apostles, were not NEAR the cross, EXCEPT a few. John 19:25-27 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother!

And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home Only five people are named that stood by, or near the cross. This is Jesus' mother Mary and His Aunt, and two other women named Mary, AND the apostle John. Why did Jesus give the apostle John the charge of caring for His mother, and not his brothers, his mothers "real sons"? It could be that it was because His brothers did not believe in Him at the time. John 7:5 For neither did his brethren believe in him. You may say that John is bragging on himself as the only gospels mentioning these things about John IS the apostle John. But we can be sure God wants us to know these things because the Holy Spirit of God inspired these writings. You will notice the name of John, as the Disciple that Jesus loved is not mentioned. He is writing about himself, but he doesn't name himself until the next to the last verse he wrote in the gospel of John John 21:24 This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.

All these things written about John that are not included in the other three gospels is explained in the above verse. This is the disciple, or I am the disciple that wrote these things concerning the apostle that Jesus loved. Even here he refers to himself as a third person. He doesnt say we know that my testimony is true, he says that his testimony is true. Strong's Greek: 2199. Ζεβεδαῖος (Zebedaios) -- Zebedee, the father of the apostles James and John Zebedee, the father of the apostles James and John NASB Translation Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2199: Ζεβεδαῖος Ζεβεδαῖος, Ζεβεδαίου, ὁ, Zebedee (זַבְדַי for זַבְדִּי (i. e. my gift), a form of the proper name which occurs a few times in the O. T., as 1 Chronicles 27:27 (the Sept.

Ζαβδι), munificent (others for זְבַדְיָה gift of Jehovah); from זָבַד to give), a Jew, by occupation a fisherman, husband of Salome, father of the apostles James and John: Matthew 4:21 ; Matthew 10:2 (3); Ζεβεδαιον Ζεβεδαῖον Ζεβεδαιου Ζεβεδαίου ζέμα Zebedaion Zebedaîon Zebedaiou Zebedaíou Links GRK: τὸν τοῦ Ζεβεδαίου καὶ Ἰωάννην NAS: James the [son] of Zebedee, and John KJV: James [the son] of Zebedee, and John INT: the [son] of Zebedee and John GRK: πλοίῳ μετὰ Ζεβεδαίου τοῦ πατρὸς NAS: in the boat with Zebedee their father, KJV: a ship

 with Zebedee their father, INT: boat with Zebedee the father GRK: ὁ τοῦ Ζεβεδαίου καὶ Ἰωάννης NAS: and James the son of Zebedee, and John KJV: James [the son] of Zebedee, and John INT: the [son] of Zebedee and John GRK: τῶν υἱῶν Ζεβεδαίου μετὰ τῶν NAS: of the sons of Zebedee came KJV: the mother of Zebedee's children INT: of the sons of Zebedee with the GRK: δύο υἱοὺς Ζεβεδαίου ἤρξατο λυπεῖσθαι NAS: sons of Zebedee, and began KJV: sons of Zebedee, and began INT: two sons of Zebedee he began to be sorrowful NAS: and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

KJV: and the mother of Zebedee's children.

INT: of the sons of Zebedee GRK: τὸν τοῦ Ζεβεδαίου καὶ Ἰωάννην NAS: James the son of Zebedee, and John KJV: James the [son] of Zebedee, and John INT: the [son] of Zebedee and John GRK: πατέρα αὐτῶν Ζεβεδαῖον ἐν τῷ NAS: their father Zebedee in the boat KJV: their father Zebedee in the ship INT: father of them Zebedee in the GRK: τὸν τοῦ Ζεβεδαίου καὶ Ἰωάννην NAS: and James, the [son] of Zebedee, and John KJV: James the [son] of Zebedee, and John INT: the [son] of Zebedee and John GRK: δύο υἱοὶ Ζεβεδαίου λέγοντες αὐτῷ NAS: sons of Zebedee, came KJV:

 the sons of Zebedee, come INT: two sons of Zebedee saying to him GRK: Ἰωάννην υἱοὺς Ζεβεδαίου οἳ ἦσαν NAS: sons of Zebedee, who KJV: John, the sons of Zebedee, which were INT: John sons of Zebedee who were GRK: οἱ τοῦ Ζεβεδαίου καὶ ἄλλοι NAS: in Galilee, and the [sons] of Zebedee, and two KJV: and the [sons] of Zebedee, and two INT: the [sons] of Zebedee and others The request of James and John to sit beside Jesus Mark 10:35-45 The *disciples wanted honour and power Jesus and his *disciples were now approaching Jerusalem.

Two *apostles, James and John, who were brothers, asked Jesus a question: ï¿½ When Jesus began to rule his *kingdom, could they sit one on each side of him, as an honour? James and John thought that a *kingdom would begin on earth immediately. [The *kingdom that Jesus spoke about is Godï¿½s *kingdom. Everyone who loves God belongs to his *kingdom. But God's *kingdom is not yet complete.] The *apostles wanted power for themselves. It was like a request for an important job in government. There is some evidence that these brothers may have been cousins of Jesus. [See the Appendix [extra remarks] at the end of this section]. So they asked Jesus to keep important jobs in the family. This happens often in the world today. Notice what the request means. They wanted great honour and power for themselves. They did not ask to be servants in the *kingdom. They did not ask Jesus to use them. They asked for honour and power. The other *disciples' reaction The other *apostles were very angry. They also wanted these jobs! The *apostles all had selfish ambitions.

They thought, 'What is there for me in all this?' This was a struggle for power. So, they asked, 'Who would be greatest?' (See Matthew 18:1-3, Matthew 19:27-30, especially verse 27.) The brothers did not really understand their request. Jesus told them this. They did not understand until after the *resurrection who Jesus really was. Jesus is God. Also, Jesus would suffer very much before he could rule in his *kingdom. The brothers did not understand this. Jesus spoke about it. He asked the brothers if they could suffer with him. The brothers bravely declared that they could! Jesus then replied: Mark 10:39, 40 'You will drink the cup that I drink. You can have the same *baptism as I have. But I do not choose who sits at my right or left. God chooses the people who will receive these honours. Power in God's *kingdom Jesus then made another statement. This shows that the *Kingdom of God is far better than any *kingdom on earth. Mark 10:42-44 Jesus called the *disciples together.

He said, 'You know this. The rulers of the Gentiles [Gentiles are people who are not Jews] have great power. Their important officials give many orders to people. You must not behave like that. Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant. Whoever wants to be important must be a slave of all.' In *kingdoms on earth, power is usually a bad thing. There are many beautiful great houses in my country. The people who built them were often very poor. Rich people forced them to work very hard, without much payment. We can still see that this happens today, across the world. It happens when some people have power over other people. We even see this problem in the church. In the Bible, the *apostles had wrong ambitions, until Jesus died on the *cross. This is not what Christ teaches. He teaches that in the *Kingdom of God our ambition should be to serve other people. We should not try to become the person who gives orders. Our ambition should not be to rule other people. Our ambition should be to help them to know God. This would bless them, and help them to serve other people. (Of course, we should still have leaders.

But the leaders should be servants of other people. They should help other people.) Jesus came to serve Lastly, Jesus made one other statement. This showed how he himself had come to serve. Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man [Jesus] did not come so that other people would serve him. He came to serve other people. He came to die, and to rescue people from the results of their *sin. Here is something wonderful. Jesus is the son of God, and his home is with God, in *heaven. But he left his home in *heaven. He came into this world, which he had made. He was born in our world, and he had a humble birth. His family was poor. His birth was in a shed for animals. He did not come to rule over us, like a proud man. He came to serve . He came to cure sick and blind people. He came to tell people the good news from God. But especially, he came ï¿½to give his lifeï¿½. Here is another wonderful thing. He came not so much to live, but to die.

He came ï¿½to die, to rescue people from the results of their *sinï¿½. He came to die on the *cross for our *sins, so that God might forgive us. Then God can give us *eternal life. John 3:16 'For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son. Whoever believes in him shall not die, but shall have *eternal life.' Christian leadership This is the kind of leadership which Jesus shows us . He wants us to have leaders like that. And he wants us to be leaders like that. These ideas are very different from the ideas that the *apostles had! Let us remember that Jesus taught this lesson to *apostles. He was not teaching other people. He wanted his *disciples to be humble. Jesus patiently repeated the lesson several times before he died on the *cross. How much Christian people need to learn this lesson! There are many jobs which somebody must do. We need to be ready to do some of them. We need to be ready to serve other people, and not merely to give orders. If it is best for the church, we need to be ready to give up our Christian job.

To help the church, we need to be ready to do something else. If we all lived as real Christians, we would live like Jesus. He did not come to order other people about, but to serve them. He lived his life for other people. He even died for other people. Appendix [Extra remarks] Who was the mother of James and John? The account of the request of James and John in Matthew (Matthew 20:20-28) mentions their mother. She also requested this. She wanted her sons to be important in Godï¿½s *kingdom. But who was the mother? We know the names of the three women who were at the *cross. Different books of the Bible give different names. Matthew 27:55-56: These women provided for Jesus and his *disciples. One woman was 'the mother of Zebedeeï¿½s sons.' [Mark 1:19 tells us that Zebedee was the father of James and John.] Mark 15:40: The name of the ï¿½mother of the sons of Zebedeeï¿½ was probably Salome.

John 19:25: This lady may even have been Jesusï¿½ aunt. This is therefore a very clever thing for James and John to do. They did everything that was possible to get their ambition. And today, people still behave in the same way! Why did Jesus call Sts. James and John the "sons of thunder"? | The New Theological Movement Why did Jesus call Sts. James and John the "sons of thunder"? July 25th, Feast of St. James the Greater And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and [Jesus] named them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder (Mark 3:17) Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. James the Greater, who was the brother of St. John the Evangelist. This is the St. James who was first among the Apostles to be martyred (by Herod in Jerusalem) and whose relics are venerated in Compostella, Spain. St. James the Greater was not called “the brother of the Lord” (that is St. James the Less), but he and his younger brother St. John were called Boanerges or “sons of Thunder”.

Why did Jesus give them this designation? The fiery style of the sons of Zebedee There are certainly several incidents recorded in the Gospels which indicate the fiery preaching style of Sts. James and John. Certainly, these two were burning in their evangelical zeal, even to the point of some slight imperfection – this impetuousness was, of course, purified through their experience of our Savior’s Passion and Resurrection (as well as in the descent of the Holy Spirit). Consider how the two brothers complained against a certain man who was exorcising demons in the name of Jesus, even though he was not among their number – recall that this scene follows immediately upon our Lord’s admonition to humility, for the greater is to be as the lesser. And John, answering, said: Master, we saw a certain man casting out devils in your name: and we forbade him, because he follows not with us. And Jesus said to him: Forbid him not: for he that is not against you is for you.

(Luke 9:49-50) Or again, consider how these two desired to cause the physical (and spiritual) destruction of those who had rejected Christ: And he sent messengers before his face: and going, they entered into a city of the Samaritans, to prepare for him. And they received him not, because his face was of one going to Jerusalem. And when his disciples, James and John, had seen this, they said: Lord, will you that we command fire to come down from heaven and consume them? And turning, he rebuked them, saying: you know not of what spirit you are. The Son of man came not to destroy souls, but to save. And they went into another town. (Luke 9:52-56) Again, these two – by way of their mother (who was Salome, the sister of James the Less) – requested the place of highest honor in the Kingdom: Then came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee with her sons, adoring and asking something of him. Who said to her: What will you?

She said to him: say that these my two sons may sit, the one on your right hand, and the other on your left, in your kingdom. And Jesus answering, said: You know not what you ask. Can you drink the chalice that I shall drink? They say to him: We can. He says to them: My chalice indeed you shall drink; but to sit on my right or left hand is not mine to give to you, but to them for whom it is prepared by my Father. (Matthew 21:20-23) It was in this last exchange that James won the honor of being the first of the Apostles to be martyred, and John the glory of enduring and surviving his martyrdom. The martyrdom of St. James the Greater Fourteen years after our Lord promised him the chalice of martyrdom (which he gained through the request of his mother), St. James the Greater won his crown at the hands of Herod Agrippa I. In A.D. 44, King Herod (grandson of Herod the Great), implemented a most intense persecution of the Church of God in an attempt to increase the strict observance of the Mosaic Law and Jewish customs.

And at the same time, Herod the king stretched forth his hands, to afflict some of the church. And he killed James, the brother of John, with the sword. (Acts 12:1-2) By this time, the “thunder” of St. James had been purified of all worldly ambition and vain glory. Now, his thunder and zeal was wholly intent upon the spread of the Kingdom of God. Seeing his Master and Savior die and rise, and receiving the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, St. James’ will was wholly conformed to the Divine Will. While, before, the zeal of this Apostle had lead to certain excesses and even rash judgment, now this zeal was purified and all together holy. Rather than seeking to exalt himself above others, St. James willingly offered his own life in the service of the people of God.

The excellence of these two brothers Consider the commentary of the Jesuit Father Cornelius a’ Lapide: “Christ called James and John by a new name, Banerges, Sons of thunder, because He charged them above the rest of the Apostles with the glorious preaching of His Gospel, that by the holiness of their lives and their miracles they might be like thunderbolts, and might, by the power of their voices, shake as with claps of thunder unbelievers and barbarians, and bring them to repentance and a holy life. “This appears in the history of S. James. Because of his liberty and zeal in preaching, he was the first among the Apostles to incur the wrath of Herod and the Jews, by whom he was beheaded (Acts xii.). The same converted the Spaniards, and by their means the inhabitants of the East and West Indies, to the faith of Christ. “John preached for a very long period, and very efficaciously. He was the last of the Apostles to depart this life, which he did after he had subdued Asia and other provinces to Christ by his preaching.

Hence, also, his Gospel begins with divine thunder, as it were an eagle of God crying with a voice of thunder, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (S. Epiphanius, Hæres. 73). Wherefore, when he was writing his Gospel, there were lightnings and thunderings from heaven, like as it lightened from Mount Sinai when God gave the law to Moses.” St. James the Greater, Pray for us! Posted by Father Ryan Erlenbush Peter, James and John The People of the Bible Article XXVIII Peter, James and John THERE is very little in the Gospel records pertaining to several of the apostles. Of Bartholomew and “Simon the Canaanite” we know little or nothing. Thaddaeus Lebbaeus is believed to be Jude, who wrote the Epistle of Jude. Thomas is known mostly for his role of doubter in connection with the resurrection of Jesus. And Judas, of course, is the apostle who served the Twelve as treasurer and, in the end, betrayed our Lord. Matthew is identified as a publican and collector of taxes when called to be an apostle.

His great contribution to the church is his scholarly record of the life and ministry of Jesus. Aside from his Gospel, however, there is little in the Bible to reveal the extent of his ministry. Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was with Peter, James, and John when they asked Jesus “privately” concerning the signs of his second presence. (Mark 13:3) Near the close of Jesus’ ministry, when certain Greeks desired an interview with Jesus, Andrew was one of the apostles who conveyed this information to the Master. (John 12:21,22) Andrew also expressed his misgivings when Jesus inquired concerning the amount of food they had on hand just before the feeding of the five thousand. (John 6:8) These brief glimpses are about all the Bible furnishes on Andrew’s activities as one of Jesus’ apostles. Philip was a zealous apostle.

It was he who “discovered” Nathanael and “saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the Law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” (John 1:45) While able to discern that Jesus was the Messiah, without the revealing power of the Holy Spirit Philip was unable to grasp the deeper truths of the Master’s teachings. When Jesus said, “If ye had known me, ye should have known the Father,” Philip replied, “Lord, show us the Father.” To this Jesus answered, “Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip?”—John 14:7-9 Of the apostles, the names Peter, James, and John are linked together in the Gospels by reason of the fact that they seemed to be closer to Jesus than some of the others. For example, when Jesus went up into the Mount of Transfiguration he took with him “Peter, James, and John.” (Matt. 17:1) When he raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead, “Peter, James, and John” were the only ones he allowed in the room.

(Mark 5:37) Jesus took these three with him deeper into the Garden of Gethsemane than he did the others.—Mark 14:33 Possibly there was something in the personalities of these three apostles that drew Jesus closer to them than to the others on special occasions. However, we believe that the chief reason for this seeming favoritism is the fact that the Lord was preparing them for a wider field of service in later years than the others may have been capable of filling. How effectively, for example, Peter later used his experience on the Mount of Transfiguration! (II Pet. 1:16-18) Divine wisdom never errs. And these three were greatly used by the Lord beginning with Pentecost, particularly Peter and John. It was Peter who acted as spokesman for the apostles on the Day of Pentecost, delivering that marvelous sermon, the central theme of which was the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

When the people heard the clear and powerful reasoning of Peter, three thousand of them were pricked in their hearts and asked, “What shall we do?”—Acts 2:37-41 Shortly after this, probably within days, Peter and John went together into the temple. Just outside by the gate called “Beautiful” they healed a man who had been lame from birth. This led to another sermon by Peter, on the object of our Lord’s return, in which he showed that its result would be “times of restitution of all things.”—Acts 3 When the religious rulers noted the boldness of Peter and John, “they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus” and had learned of him. (Acts 4:13) Here, perhaps, comes to light one of the reasons Jesus had for the special consideration he gave to these. He wanted them to learn his ways and to imbibe his courage, his boldness, in declaring unpopular truth. Surely the intimate association which Peter, James, and John enjoyed with Jesus did help much in equipping them for the service that had been designed for them.

But these three men were, by nature, very different, and this we will discover best by noting some of the individual characteristics of each of them. Peter We are first introduced to Peter at the time Jesus called him to be one of his apostles. (Matt. 4:18) He and his brother Andrew were in the fishing business, and Jesus said unto them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” This record states that he was “called” Peter. Mark 3:16 explains that it was Jesus who surnamed him Peter, his family name being Simon. In the Greek text it is Petros, meaning a piece of rock. The significance of Peter’s name was used by Jesus to teach an important point of truth. (Matt. 16:13-19) This was some time after Jesus began his ministry. He had become fairly well known and he inquired of his apostles as to who the people thought he was.

They answered, “Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.” This was far from being an unfavorable report, for it indicated that the people seemed agreed that Jesus was a prophet sent by God, even though they did not agree as to his exact identity. But Jesus was not satisfied, so he inquired further, “Whom say ye that I am?” It was in reply to this that Peter said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This was Jesus’ true identity, and he was pleased; so he said to Peter, “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” This observation has been misused in an attempt to exalt Peter to a position of prominence and authority among the apostles which Jesus did not actually give to him.

The expression, “Upon this rock I will build my church,” has been mistakenly applied to Peter as though Jesus had constituted him the foundation of the church, whereas Jesus, as the divine Christ, is in reality that foundation (see I Cor. 3:11). It was Peter’s confession of this great truth to which Jesus referred as “this rock.” Here the Greek word is petra, meaning a large rock, or boulder, unlike Peter’s name, which signifies merely a piece of rock. Nor are the “keys of the kingdom of heaven” what many have supposed them to be. Peter is not the doorkeeper of heaven. In the first place, it was the “kingdom of heaven” that Jesus mentioned, not “heaven.” In Luke 16:16 we read that “the law and the prophets were until John,” and that since then “the kingdom of God is preached.” The kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God are synonymous. See Matt. 13:31-33 and Luke 13:18-21. The purpose of this preaching has been to gather out from the world a people to be associated with Jesus in the heavenly phase of his kingdom.

Jesus said to the religious leaders of his day, “Ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.” (Matt. 23:13) To “enter” the kingdom of heaven, to live and reign with Christ, it is essential to accept Jesus as Redeemer and Lord; and the scribes and Pharisees did all they could to turn the people away from Jesus and to prejudice them against him. Thus they “shut up” the “kingdom of heaven.” But in contrast to this, Peter was given “keys” to “unlock” the kingdom of heaven. He did this by presenting the truth concerning Jesus and giving the people an opportunity to become his followers. He used one of these “keys” on the Day of Pentecost when he presented the truth concerning Jesus to a vast assembly of Jews, three thousand of whom believed. Later it was Peter whom the Lord sent to Cornelius, the first Gentile convert. Here he used another “key” and “unlocked” the kingdom of heaven to the Gentiles.

Impetuous We get an intimate glimpse of Peter at the time Jesus walked out on the waters of Galilee, rescued his disciples, and calmed the sea. (Matt. 14:22-31) The apostles saw Jesus approaching their ship, and they were fearful. But Jesus said, “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.” Peter’s nature did not allow him simply to remain in the ship and wait for his Master, so he cried out, “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.” Jesus invited Peter to come, but when he found himself surrounded by the wind and waves, his faith failed and he began to sink. Jesus rescued him and said, “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” Surely later this experience must have been a great source of strength to this intrepid apostle! Peter was loyal to his Master. This was true even at the close of Jesus’ ministry when Peter seriously disagreed with the course he was taking.

Jesus announced to his apostles that he was going to Jerusalem, where he expected his enemies to put him to death; and Peter objected, saying, “Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.” Responding to this Jesus said to Peter, “Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offense unto me.”—Matt. 16:22,23 Explaining this rebuke, Jesus said to Peter, “Thou savorest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” In other words, in trying to dissuade Jesus from surrendering to his enemies, Peter was expressing a human viewpoint. To him it was unthinkable that Jesus, who had done no wrong but instead had unselfishly served the people, should be put to death. He did not yet realize that it was necessary for Jesus to die in order to redeem the world from sin and death.

In the Upper Room, when Jesus partook of the passover supper with his disciples for the last time, he said to Peter, “Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” Peter replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with thee both into prison, and to death.” Then Jesus prophesied, “I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.”—Luke 22:31-34 Peter meant it when he said that he would be willing to die with Jesus. Later, when his Master was about to be arrested, Peter drew his sword and demonstrated his willingness to do everything in his power to prevent Jesus from surrendering to his enemies. Jesus commanded him to put away his sword, which was another rebuke to this faithful disciple.—Matt. 26:52 But despite this thwarting of his effort to prevent Jesus’ arrest, Peter followed him to the judgment hall of the high priest.

The record states that he “went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.” (Matt. 26:58) In this we see a wonderful spirit of devotion. Perhaps Peter thought that by being nearby there still might be something he could do for his Master, perhaps even save him from what now seemed to be the inevitable. Apparently Peter did not realize that he was likely to be recognized as one of Jesus’ disciples and thus be placed in danger, and when he was recognized he denied that he knew him. Fear is the motive usually ascribed to this denial, although the record gives not motive. Some have suggested that Peter endeavored to conceal his identity in the hope that he still might have an opportunity to rescue his Master from the cruel hands of his enemies. But regardless of his motive, Peter realized that his denial had been foretold by Jesus, and that it was wrong. (Matt. 26:69-75) He “wept bitterly,” the record states. Remorseful for his own wrongdoing, he also now realized that he could do nothing to prevent the death of his beloved Lord; so he was overwhelmed with sorrow.

After the Resurrection In one of Jesus’ appearances to his apostles after his resurrection, he engaged in a revealing conversation with Peter. (John 21:15-19) “Lovest thou me?” Jesus inquired of Peter. Upon being asked this question the third time, Peter replied, “Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.” Perhaps here Peter’s mind went back to the “Upper Room,” when Jesus had prophesied his denial, and realized that his Master was indeed able to read his heart. Yes, Peter did love his Master despite the fact that his efforts to save him from the cross had been thwarted and that Jesus had referred to him as “Satan.” Prior to his crucifixion Jesus had said to Peter that when he was “converted” he was to strengthen his brethren.

And now Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” It might seem strange that Peter, who accepted Jesus as the promised Messiah, who had served with his Master in preaching the Gospel of the kingdom, who had been empowered to perform miracles, should still need to be “converted.” While Peter was convinced that Jesus was the Messiah, he did not understand that it was necessary for him to suffer and die as the world’s Redeemer. Doubtless Peter realized that if a man did wrong he should suffer for it, but his human reasoning told him that those who do only good should not suffer. This is why he endeavored to prevent Jesus’ death. While his experiences in connection with this futile effort would help to prepare him for “conversion,” he did not fully understand this matter until he received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Then he knew why it was necessary for Jesus to die, and he quoted a prophecy from the Old Testament relating to the death and resurrection of Jesus.—Acts 2:25-28; Ps. 16:10 Later, when Peter himself was imprisoned and threatened with death, we find him so submissive to the divine will that he slept while chained to guards within the prison.

(Acts 12:4-6) This was the “converted” Peter, who now knew that in the divine plan for the recovery of man from sin and death, suffering for righteousness’ sake is necessary. And now this “converted” Peter was equipped, both by experience and by revelation, to “strengthen” his brethren in this essential aspect of the Christian life. One of his services along this line is found in his first epistle. In the opening chapter of this letter he refers to the prophetic testimony concerning the “sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.” (I Pet. 1:11) In this epistle Peter explains that the followers of Jesus have the privilege of sharing in this foretold suffering. “Ye also,” Peter wrote, “as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” (ch. 2:5) Again: “This is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently?

but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.”—ch. 2:19-21 His Sacrificial Death In his discussion with Peter after his resurrection, Jesus said: “When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.” John adds, “This spake he [Jesus], signifying by what death he [Peter] should glorify God.”—John 21:18,19 This is generally understood to mean that Jesus foretold Peter’s death by crucifixion, this thought being taken from the expression, “Thou shalt stretch forth thy hands.” Tradition has it that Peter was crucified head down. Whether or not this be true, we know that Peter was symbolically crucified, in the sense that Paul wrote of himself, saying, “I am crucified with Christ.”—Gal.

2:20 To “stretch forth” the hands could also well represent the thought of surrender to another. While Jesus surrendered to his enemies and allowed them to put him to death, this was but a reflection of his surrender to his Heavenly Father, whose will it was for him to die as the world’s Redeemer. Likewise, Peter also surrendered himself to God and understood that the divine will for him, too, was that he should die a sacrificial death, a death that was contrary to the desires of his flesh. But it was by such a death that Peter was able to glorify God, even as Jesus had foretold. Perhaps Peter had this in mind when he wrote, “What glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye take it patiently?” The implication here is that “glory” does result from suffering for righteousness’ sake, that it is thus that God is glorified. Surely to follow thus the example of Jesus is to the glory of God. James There were two apostles named James—“James, the son of Zebedee,” and “James, the son of Alphaeus.” “James the son of Zebedee” was a brother of the Apostle John.

To these two Jesus gave the name Boanerges, meaning “sons of thunder.” This burning, impetuous spirit twice manifested itself. (Mark 10:37; Luke 9:54) This spirited brother of John did not continue long after Pentecost, for he was put to death by Herod Agrippa I. (Acts 12:1,2) Almost nothing is known of his activities after the death and resurrection of Jesus. James, the son of Alphaeus, is generally accredited with writing “The Epistle of James.” It seems quite evident that it is this apostle who was also known as “James the Less,” perhaps because he was younger, or smaller in stature, than James the son of Zebedee. This apostle was more prominent among the brethren after Pentecost than were some of the others. Jesus seems to have appeared specially to him after his resurrection. (I Cor. 15:7) It would appear that he was an elder in the Jerusalem church. When the apostles gathered at Jerusalem to decide on some course of action with respect to Gentile converts who were coming into the church in various places, James presided over the conference.

It was at this conference that he stood up and said: “Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: that the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.”—Acts 15:13-18 The last record we have of this apostle is when Paul went to Jerusalem bearing gifts from the various churches, and James, together with the other brethren, advised him to go into the temple for the ceremony of purification. This, the brethren reasoned, would help to clear Paul of the charge that he was opposed to the Law of Moses. Instead of serving to avoid trouble, this resulted in rioting against Paul and his protective arrest by the Roman authorities.

(Acts 21:17-40) After this we know nothing of James’ activity. John The apostle John, as we have seen, was the son of Zebedee and one of the “sons of thunder.” We have already noted his close association with Peter, both during the earthly ministry of Jesus and after Pentecost. His Gospel account of the life and teachings of Jesus represents one of his major contributions to the spiritual upbuilding of the entire church of Christ. While the fourth Gospel bears John’s name as the author, nowhere in it does he directly identify himself as the writer. When necessary to refer to any part which he played in connection with the experiences of Jesus, he refers to himself as “that disciple which Jesus loved.” Some have used this in an attempt to prove that John was not the author of the Fourth Gospel, arguing that he was too humble to speak of himself as being specially loved by Jesus. But this seems like a weak argument. How much more humble is the attitude thus reflected than if he had used the pronoun “I.” John’s humility is further reflected in his three epistles.

In the first he makes no reference to himself at all; and in the second and third he identifies the writer simply as an “elder.” In the Book of Revelation, which this apostle also wrote, he refers to himself simply as “His servant John,” or just “John.”—Rev. 1:1,4 The Lord in his wisdom has chosen to emphasize various aspects of his plan through the varying personalities of those whom he has used as his inspired servants. For example, David’s background as a shepherd lent itself admirably to this end. Peter’s difficulty in connection with Jesus’ suffering and death later served to enrich his ministry in connection with the “sufferings of Christ,” and the glory that should follow.” We find a further reflection of this in the personality of John. While John was one of the “sons of thunder,” he also evidently had a loving disposition which appreciated companionship. We see this exemplified in his closeness to Jesus on various occasions. It would be just such a personality that could the better appreciate the precious truth which Jesus taught concerning the partnership his disciples were to enjoy with him, both now and when glorified with him in the kingdom. John picked up this thought from the Master and reveled in it.

This fact is reflected in his Gospel and also in his epistles. He saw Jesus, both as the Logos and, forever, as the Son of God. He perceived that as many of the Jewish nation as believed on Jesus were given the authority to become the sons of God, members of the divine family. (John 1:11,12) In his first epistle he wrote, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God.”—I John 3:1-3 Those intimate lessons of partnership which Jesus taught to his disciples in the Upper Room the night before he was crucified were recorded only by John. “I am the vine, ye are the branches,” and, “My Father is the husbandman.” (John 15:1-8) “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.” (vs. 9) “I go to prepare a place for you.” “I will come again, and receive you unto myself.” (ch. 14:1-4) “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me.”—ch.

17:24 No wonder John later wrote, “It doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” (I John 3:2) John realized that in preparation for this glorious future association and partnership with Jesus, we need to enjoy the fellowship of one another, and of the Father and the Son, even now. He wrote, “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship [Greek, partnership] with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”—I John 1:3 But let us not assume that because John was an apostle of love he could not be firm in his defense of the truth and in safeguarding the interests of his brethren.

To “the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth,” John wrote, “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him Godspeed: for he that biddeth him Godspeed is partaker of his evil deeds.”—II John 1:10,11 How this beloved apostle must have rejoiced in the privilege that was given to him by the resurrected Jesus of recording those precious promises to the seven churches: “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.”—Rev. 2:7 “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”—Rev. 2:10 “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.”—Rev.

2:17 “He that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.”—Rev. 2:26,27 “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.”—Rev. 3:5 “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.”—Rev. 3:12 “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”—Rev.

3:21 There is every good reason to believe that John lived to a very old age, continuing faithfully in the service of his Lord to the very end. The exact time of his death lies within the region of conjecture rather than of history. The dates which have been assigned to his death range from A.D. 89 to A.D. 120. But this is not important. Actually, like the other inspired writers of the Bible, his service to the Lord’s people has never ceased. Dawn Bible Students Association

Question: Who was the father of the disciples James and John?
Answer: ZEBEDEE