James in the Bible

The name James appears in the New Testament for several important figures, most notably James the son of Zebedee, one of the twelve apostles, and James the brother of Jesus, leader of the church in Jerusalem. James the son of Zebedee was a fisherman whom Jesus called early in His ministry. Together with his brother John, he was mending nets when "he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother... and he called them" (MAT.4.21). They immediately left their boat to follow Christ. Mark records that Jesus surnamed the two brothers "Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder" (MRK.3.17), reflecting their fervent and zealous temperaments, and they appear again being called from their nets (MRK.1.19). James the son of Zebedee belonged to Jesus' inner circle of three, sharing in some of the most intimate moments of the Lord's ministry. He was present at the Transfiguration, when "Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart" (MAT.17.1), witnessing the glory of Christ. His devotion ultimately cost him his life, for he became the first of the apostles to be martyred when Herod "killed James the brother of John with the sword" (ACT.12.2). Another prominent James was the brother of the Lord, who, after the resurrection, became a pillar of the Jerusalem church. At the pivotal Jerusalem Council, when believers debated how Gentiles should be received, it was James who summed up the matter and gave guidance, declaring, "Men and brethren, hearken unto me" (ACT.15.13). He is traditionally regarded as the author of the Epistle of James, which opens, "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad" (JAS.1.1), a letter celebrated for its practical call to live out genuine, working faith. The men named James model wholehearted commitment, courageous devotion, and faith expressed in action.