James Zebedee, nicknamed “Son of Thunder” like his brother John, was married when he met Jesus and had four children; he was from Capernaum; he was 30 years old in A.D. 26; his parents were Zebedee and Salome. [1] He was a fishing companion of Andrew, Peter, and his brother John. [2] He was baptized by John in A.D. 25. [3] Together with his brother John, they searched for Jesus during the forty days he was in the hills after the baptism. [4]
Became an apostle. [5] James selected James Alphaeus as the new apostle. [6] James' assignment as an apostle, along with Peter and John, was to be Jesus' personal companions. [7] He was a good public preacher. [8]
James, along with Peter and Andrew, formed the admission committee for aspiring evangelists; After Peter, James was the most influential in the evangelical school. [9] Nathanael and James suffered a serious digestive illness during the week of May 9-16, A.D. 29, which fortunately passed without further consequences. [10] He was one of the three apostles who witnessed the transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Hermon. [11] Jesus asked James to be less impatient. [12] Salome asked Jesus to give James and John preference when he established his kingdom. [13] James supported Nathanael in the idea of not using weapons to rescue Jesus with violence. [14] He was one of the three apostles who slept while keeping vigil with Jesus in Gethsemane. [15] Was present at several of Jesus' appearances, the ninth, thirteenth, and sixteenth. [16] Was among the 120 disciples who gathered in Jerusalem at Pentecost. [17]
On several occasions Jesus addressed specific words to James, as he did to other apostles. [18] James asked Jesus numerous questions, some of which we have recorded. [19] Came closest to grasping the importance and significance of Jesus' teachings. [20]
Herod Agrippa feared James more than any other of the apostles. [21] Was executed by Herod Agrippa; He was the first apostle to give his life. [22] His brother John married James' widow after James' death. [23]
He ordered the insolent Samaritans to be devoured by fire. [24] He opposed proclaiming Jesus king. [25] He was perplexed during Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. [26] Jesus called him "Son of Thunder" because of his vehemence. [27] He could be talkative or remain in an inexplicable silence for days, alternating between the two moods. [28] He was very vehement when indignation was aroused in him. [29] He was a balanced thinker and planner; he was never in a hurry. [30]
See also: UB 139:3; UB 141:7.13; UB 143:3.5; UB 144:1.7; UB 167:0.3; UB 167:4.4; UB 174:1.1; UB 191:0.5.