The Apostolic Age · AD 4–70
James, son of Zebedee
d. AD 44 · Apostle of the Twelve · First apostolic martyr · Galilee → Jerusalem
The Apostolic Age
Who James, son of Zebedee was
Elder brother of John, called with him from his father’s fishing boats and surnamed by Jesus, with his brother, Boanerges — “sons of thunder.” With Peter and John he belonged to the inner three at the Transfiguration and Gethsemane. Herod Agrippa I “killed James the brother of John with the sword” about 44, making him the first of the Twelve to die and the only apostle whose martyrdom the New Testament itself records. Clement of Alexandria preserved a tradition that his accuser, moved by his witness, confessed Christ and was beheaded beside him.
Also listed in martyrs.
Common questions
When did James, son die?
James, son of Zebedee is dated d. AD 44 in the archive, which places James, son in the Apostolic Age (AD 4–70).
Which early sources mention James, son?
James, son of Zebedee is named in 3 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Mark the Evangelist, Luke and Eusebius of Caesarea. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was James, son from?
The archive associates James, son of Zebedee with Galilee, Jerusalem. The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.
Who were James, son’s contemporaries?
The archive links James, son of Zebedee to 4 other figures, including John the Apostle, Simon Peter, Herod Agrippa I and Jairus. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.
Scripture record
Primary-source mentions (3)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Mark 3:17
c. AD 55And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder.Mark the Evangelist · read ↗
Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History II.9 (quoting Clement of Alexandria)
c. AD 325The one who led James to the judgment-seat, when he saw him bearing his testimony, was moved, and confessed that he was himself also a Christian. They were both therefore, he says, led away together.Eusebius of Caesarea · II.9 · source text
Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- AD 30 · Crucifixion, Resurrection and Pentecost, AD 30–33
- AD 44 · Persecution under Herod Agrippa I, AD 44
Place
Places served
The 10 places the sources put James, son, in the order the record moves through them. This is what the sources attest, not a reconstructed route. Every stop here is marked with the company: the source places this figure’s company there rather than naming the figure at it.
- 1GalileeWith him through the towns of Galileewith the companyMark 1:39; Matthew 4:23
- 2NazarethCame into his own country, and his disciples followed himwith the companyMark 6:1
- 3CapernaumThe house at Capernaum, where he taught the Twelvewith the companyMark 9:33
- 4BethsaidaWithdrew there with the Twelve; the five thousand fedwith the companyLuke 9:10
- 5TyreWithdrew into its borders; the disciples came to himwith the companyMark 7:24; Matthew 15:23
- 6SidonReturned by Sidon to the sea of Galileewith the companyMark 7:31
- 7Caesarea PhilippiOn the road he asked the disciples who men said he waswith the companyMark 8:27
- 8JerichoWent out of Jericho with his discipleswith the companyMark 10:46
- 9BethanyLodged there with the Twelve through Passion weekwith the companyMark 11:11–12
- 10JerusalemEntered the temple with the Twelve; the upper roomwith the companyMark 11:11; 14:17