Zebedee Ζεβεδαῖος
Father of the apostles James and John
Who is Zebedee in the Bible?
Zebedee was a Galilean fisherman and the father of James and John, two of Jesus' twelve apostles (Matthew 4:21, Mark 1:19). He operated a successful fishing business with his sons, employing hired servants to help with the work (Mark 1:20). When Jesus called James and John to become His disciples, Zebedee allowed them to leave their family trade to follow Him, though he himself is not recorded as becoming a follower. His wife, Salome, became a devoted supporter of Jesus' ministry and was present at His crucifixion (Matthew 27:56, Mark 15:40). Though Zebedee appears only briefly in the Gospel accounts, his significance lies in being the father of two of Jesus' closest disciples and in his willingness to release his sons for kingdom service.
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
- Matthew 4:21
"Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Jesus called them,"
Study Matthew → - Matthew 10:2
"These are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John;"
Study Matthew → - Matthew 20:20
"Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and knelt down to make a request of Him."
Study Matthew → - Matthew 26:37
"He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed."
Study Matthew → - Matthew 27:56
"Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons."
Study Matthew →
Mark 4 verses
- Mark 1:19
"Going on a little farther, He saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat, mending their nets."
Study Mark → - Mark 1:20
"Immediately Jesus called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed Him."
Study Mark → - Mark 3:17
"James son of Zebedee and his brother John (whom He named Boanerges, meaning “Sons of Thunder”),"
Study Mark → - Mark 10:35
"Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and declared, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.”"
Study Mark →
Luke 1 verse
- Luke 5:10
"and so were his partners James and John, the sons of Zebedee. “Do not be afraid,” Jesus said to Simon. “From now on you will catch men.”"
Study Luke →
John 1 verse
- John 21:2
"Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together."
Study John →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Greek | Ζεβεδαῖος | Zebedaîos | Zebedæus, an Israelite |