John, Son of Zebedee

John, Son of Zebedee is an apostle whom Jesus called alongside James while they were mending nets in a boat with Zebedee (Matthew 4:21). He is named among the twelve apostles, and James is identified as his brother (Matthew 10:2). Mark records that Jesus gave James and John the names Boanerges, translated there as “Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17).

Several passages place John with Peter and James. Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a high mountain by themselves (Mark 9:2), and Peter, James, John, and Andrew questioned him privately while he was seated toward the mountain of the olive trees (Mark 13:3). John also told Jesus that he and others had tried to stop someone casting out demons in Jesus’ name (Mark 9:38).

Acts names Peter and John going up to the sacred place for prayer (Acts 3:1). Observers saw their boldness, considered them unschooled and unlearned, and recognized that they had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13). The apostles in Jerusalem sent Peter and John to Samaria (Acts 8:14). Galatians calls James, Cephas, and John reputed pillars and says they gave Paul and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship (Galatians 2:9).

John is named in at least 35 verses across 6 books, in 3 distinct name forms.