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Follow James's Biblical Journey

Sea Of Galilee

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James grows up as a fisherman with his father Zebedee and brother John on the Sea of Galilee. The family business employs hired servants, indicating some prosperity. His mother Salome later follows Jesus and serves His ministry.

MRK.1.19

And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the {son} of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.

Events

The transfigurationMAT 17:2

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Updated on August 16, 2026

James

James, son of Zebedee and brother of John, was one of the inner circle of three disciples closest to Jesus. He was the first apostle to be martyred, killed by Herod Agrippa I.

Read the full story of James

Journey Timeline

Son of Zebedeec. 1-26 AD
Sea of Galilee
James grows up as a fisherman with his father Zebedee and brother John on the Sea of Galilee. The family business employs hired servants, indicating some prosperity. His mother Salome later follows Jesus and serves His ministry.
MRK 1:19-20; MAT 27:56
Called by Jesusc. 27 AD
Sea of Galilee
Jesus calls James and John from mending nets in their boat. They immediately leave their father and hired servants to follow Jesus. James becomes one of the Twelve Apostles and part of Jesus' inner circle with Peter and John.
MRK 1:19-20; 3:17
Sons of Thunderc. 27 AD
Galilee
Jesus gives James and John the nickname 'Boanerges,' meaning 'Sons of Thunder.' This reflects their zealous, fiery temperament. They later ask to call down fire on a Samaritan village that rejects Jesus.
MRK 3:17; LUK 9:51-56
Raising of Jairus' Daughterc. 28 AD
Galilee
James is one of only three disciples Jesus allows to witness the raising of Jairus' daughter. This private miracle reveals Jesus' power over death to His closest followers before His public ministry demonstrates it fully.
MRK 5:37-43
The Transfigurationc. 29 AD
Galilee
James, Peter, and John witness Jesus' transfiguration on a high mountain. They see Jesus transformed in glory, speaking with Moses and Elijah. A voice from the cloud declares Jesus as God's beloved Son.
MRK 9:2-8
Request for Positionc. 30 AD
Galilee
James and John (or their mother on their behalf) ask Jesus to sit at His right and left hand in His kingdom. Jesus asks if they can drink His cup; they say yes. He tells them they will, but positions are the Father's to give.
MRK 10:35-45; MAT 20:20-28
In Gethsemanec. 30 AD
Galilee
Jesus takes Peter, James, and John deeper into Gethsemane to watch and pray with Him. Despite His urgent request, they fall asleep while Jesus agonizes in prayer. James witnesses Jesus' greatest moment of human struggle.
MRK 14:32-42
Early Churchc. 30-44 AD
Jerusalem
After the resurrection and Pentecost, James serves in the Jerusalem church. He becomes a leader among the apostles, fulfilling Jesus' prediction that he would drink His cup. He faithfully serves for approximately fourteen years.
ACT 1:13
Martyrdomc. 44 AD
Jerusalem
King Herod Agrippa I begins persecuting the church, and James becomes the first apostle to be martyred. Herod has him killed with the sword. James fulfills Jesus' words: he drinks the cup his Lord drank.
ACT 12:1-2