NT FigureNew Testament

Zebedee

Matthew Mark

When

c. AD 27· In the text

Tied to events dated from records outside the Bible, usually within a few years. How the dates are worked out

Name meaning

"the LORD has bestowed" (Zebadiah) · Hebrew

About

A fisherman on the Sea of Galilee and father of the apostles James and John. He is mentioned at the moment Jesus called his sons — they were in the boat with him mending nets and they left him there to follow Jesus. His wife Salome is believed to be the woman who asked Jesus to give her sons the highest places in the kingdom.

Relationships

SonJames (Zebedee)Son, apostle

SonJohn (apostle)Son, apostle and Gospel author

Key Scripture AppearancesKJV

Matthew 4:21

And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.Matthew 4:21, KJV

Matthew 10:2

Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;Matthew 10:2, KJV

Matthew 20:20

Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.Matthew 20:20, KJV

Mark 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.Mark 1:19, KJV

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