Zebedee Ζεβεδαῖος
Father of the apostles James and John
Biography
Zebedee was a fisherman from Galilee and the father of two of Jesus' disciples, James and John. He worked alongside his sons in the fishing business and was present when Jesus called them to follow Him. His wife was Salome, according to hints at Matt 27.56 with Mrk.15.40. Zebedee's wife, the mother of James and John, is mentioned as one of the women who followed Jesus and supported His ministry. She also made a bold request for her sons to sit at Jesus' right and left hand in His kingdom, revealing her high aspirations for them. Zebedee is not mentioned as a follower of Jesus himself, but he did not hinder his sons from leaving their fishing trade to become disciples. The fact that Zebedee had hired servants suggests that he ran a successful fishing operation. His sons, James and John, along with Peter, formed Jesus' inner circle of disciples and were present at significant events such as the Transfiguration and Jesus' prayers in Gethsemane.
Family
In Scripture
4 biblical books ; 4 with study contentMatthew 5 verses Study available
- Matthew 4:21
"Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them."
Study Matthew → - Matthew 10:2
"Now the names of the twelve apostles are these. The first, Simon, who is called Peter; Andrew, his brother; James the son of Zebedee; John, his brother;"
Study Matthew → - Matthew 20:20
"Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, kneeling and asking a certain thing of him."
Study Matthew → - Matthew 26:37
"He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and severely troubled."
Study Matthew → - Matthew 27:56
"Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee."
Study Matthew →
Mark 4 verses Study available
- Mark 1:19
"Going on a little further from there, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets."
Study Mark → - Mark 1:20
"Immediately he called them, and they left their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired servants, and went after him."
Study Mark → - Mark 3:17
"James the son of Zebedee; and John, the brother of James, (whom he called Boanerges, which means, Sons of Thunder);"
Study Mark → - Mark 10:35
"James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came near to him, saying, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we will ask.”"
Study Mark →
Luke 1 verse Study available
- Luke 5:10
"and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid. From now on you will be catching people alive.”"
Study Luke →
John 1 verse Study available
- John 21:2
"Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together."
Study John →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Greek | Ζεβεδαῖος | G2199G |