Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
NBST 515-D01
New Testament Orientation I
by
Caleb R. Brown
August 20, 2017
Contents
Introduction……………………….……………………………………….………………..iii
Research Methodology………….……………….………………………….……………..iv
The Biblical Texts………………………….………………………………………………iv
The Call……………………………………………………………………………..iv
Among the Twelve..……………………………….……………………..…………vi
An Intimate Relationship with Jesus.…….….…………………………..………....vii
A Son of Thunder.…………………………………….………………..……….…viii
Application…..……………………………………….……………………………….….…x
Conclusion……….…………………………………….……………..……………….….…xi
Bibliography….………..……………………………….………………………..….…..…xii
ii
Introduction
This paper will systematically and comprehensively examine all of the biblical texts and
stories for examination in finding the information about James (the son of Zebedee). James (the
son of Zebedee) is one of four different James that is spoken about in the New Testament. The
synoptic Gospels, as well as a brief mention in Acts is where the detail of this apostle lies. James
was one of the original twelve disciples and later named an apostle by Jesus (Matt. 10:2; Mk.
3:17; Lk. 6:14). There are actually two disciples that were named James. Sometimes he is
known as James the Greater and not to be confused with James the lesser, or younger James the
son of Alphaeus. There is also a book named James, but this was not written by either one of
these James, and is actually James the brother of Jesus. This biography on James (the son of
Zebedee) is always mentioned in relation to his brother John. This paper will examine all of the
scriptures dealing with James (the son of Zebedee), and discuss this Apostle’s intimate
relationship with Christ as well as his ambition, zeal, and courage persevering in faith till his
death by the hands of Herod Agrippa I. The thesis of this paper will argue that the biblical texts
show that James had ambition that was originally misguided, however his intimate relationship
with Christ led him to have a zealous faith, and courageous character that eventually shared in
iii
Research Methodology
This paper will use a methodology of examining all of the biblical portrayals and
examine them in context to show how James is viewed in the New Testament by each author in
both a positive and negative light, as well as present those findings in a biblical biography of the
person. The purpose of which is to give a full understanding of James and use this information in
church, drawing appropriate life lessons from the Bible’s portrayal of him that can be applied to
Christians today. The biblical texts that will be examined are five in Matthew (4:21-22; 10:2;
17:1; 20:20; 27:56), eight in Mark (1:19-20; 1:29; 3:17; 5:37; 9:2; 10:35-41; 13:3; 14:33), five in
Luke (5:10; 6:14; 8:51; 9:28; 9:54) and two in Acts (1:13; 12:2).
The Call
The biblical texts first introduce James with his brother John in all of the synoptic gospels
as being called by Jesus. In the Gospel of Matthew Jesus is walking by the Sea of Galilee and
Christ calls two sets of brothers. The first pair Peter and Andrew. The second pair, James and
John, the sons of Zebedee. Matthew is specific in his account of James and John and how they
are both in the boat with their father mending nets when Jesus calls them (Matt. 4:21). The next
verse shows that their response was the same as Peter and Andrew’s, immediate (Matt. 4:22).
This immediate response of the James in this text is the first glimpse that Matthew shares of
James desire to follow the Lord. With the reading of this text alone one could infer that Zebedee
is left “holding the net”. However in Mark’s account, the “immediate” emphasis is placed upon
Jesus in His calling of the two brothers and there is mention of servants that are left with their
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father Zebedee (Mk. 1:20). Francis Maloney asserts that the mention of servants could reveal the
possible wealth or at least success of their fishing trade.1 Maloney’s inference, as relative as it
may be, is not a dynamic reason for James and John leaving their father to follow Jesus. In fact,
if they were so successful, there may have been little reason for the two brothers to want to
follow Jesus. Craig Keener states that Galileans were mostly peasants, but fisherman did make a
better income and were viewed as strong.2 It is not until Luke’s account that the full picture of
their scene begins to come together. This would be the first account of many miracles James
would be a witness to. In Luke’s account it reveals that James and John were partners with Peter
and his brother (Lk. 5:10). James had to help as their nets were breaking with their fill of fish
after an unsuccessful toil that evening (Lk. 5:5). Whether James and his father were successful
before this event, the text does not say. After James witnessed this miracle he was astonished
(Lk. 5:9) and their immediate catch that broke their nets would have definitely been successful
for their fathers business. This is probably the reason they were mending the nets that Matthew
and Mark speak of in their accounts. It was enough for James, his brother, and his partners to
“leave everything” behind to follow Jesus, even their economic way of life (Lk. 5:11). James
immediate trust and faith in the Lord was evident by the three gospel accounts.
1
Francis Maloney, Gospel of Mark: A Commentary, (Grand Rapids: Baker Publishing Group, 2012), 16.
2
Craig Keener, IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press,
2014), 193.
v
Among the Twelve
The next portrait that the gospel accounts give of James are the beginnings of a recurring
theme of James intimate relationship with the Lord. It is in Matthew where James is first listed
as one of the first twelve peoples that was given authority over unclean spirits to be cast out as
well as having the ability to heal every disease and affliction just as he had witnessed Jesus do
(Matt. 10:1). James is listed third in order (after Peter and Andrew his brother) with John being
fourth. But, this would not be the same order that all the synoptic gospels would use. In Mark’s
Gospel account James would be listed second (Mk. 3:17). It is in this verse where Mark reveals
Jesus peculiar name for James and his brother John as Boanerges, which meant “Sons of
Thunder” (Mk. 3:17). Luke’s account is interesting in that before he names the twelve, his
portrayal notes Jesus prayed all night before he called disciples and chose twelve among them
that He named apostles (Lk. 6:12-13). While there is not specificity to what Jesus prayed for, the
mention of James as one of the twelve apostles named among the disciples called, shows that
there was something different or special for James to be given this type of authority by Christ
(Lk. 6:13). Beth Kreitzer notes that just as the twelve tribes that were named after the sons of
Jacob, the twelve apostles were the founders of the church of Jesus Christ.3 It is likely that such
an important task for James (and the other eleven) was something that Jesus considered in His
prayer to the Father, as He prayed all night (Lk. 6:12).4 It is also important to note the time with
in which James would have spent with Lord up to this point. James Lightfoot states that the
twelve would have been with Jesus learning, praying, auditing, watching, and while they were
3
Beth Kreitzer, Luke, (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2001), 131. Accessed August 19, 2017.
ProQuest Ebook Central.
4
John Trapp, Commentary or Exposition, 387; alluding to Gen. 24:12-14 in Luke, Beth Kreitzer, ed.,
(Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2001), 131. Accessed August 19, 2017. ProQuest Ebook Central.
vi
chosen by Christ, it would be another year before they would be allowed to preach.5 So James
had a different type of relationship with Christ that was more intimate than even a number of
many disciples at this point. The biblical texts that this paper will examine next will show that
James had an even more intimate type of relationship with the Lord and Savior than even nine of
It is in the Gospel of Matthew that James is now pictured to have a different, and even
more intimate relationship with the Lord than the other apostles, except for Peter and John.
James is one of three, (along with Peter and John) to be present at the transfiguration of Jesus
(17:1). However in Mark’s Gospel, the transfiguration happens after a mention of James with
Peter and John alone with Jesus (Mk. 9:2). Mark shows that James was one of the only people,
(along with Peter and John) allowed to see Jesus raise a twelve year old girl from the dead (Mk.
5:35-43). Luke’s account follows the same order as Mark’s (Lk. 8:51, 9:28). It makes these two
accounts, along with Matthew’s account of the transfiguration, to reveal the special type of
relationship that James had with Jesus. Mark expounds more on this relationship with Christ.
Culpepper states that this group of disciples seems to be of more importance to Mark than
Matthew or Luke.6 Further Culpepper states that this may be conjecture that this was of more
emphasis of Mark partly because of the secrecy motif that Mark alludes to.7 Mark does show
5
James Lightfoot, Harmony, Chronicle and Order of the New Testament, 24, in Luke, Beth Kreitzer, ed.,
(Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2001), 132. Accessed August 19, 2017. ProQuest Ebook Central.
6
R. Alan Culpepper, John, the Son of Zebedee: The Life of a Legend, (Columbia, S.C.: University of South
Carolina Press, 1994), 31.
7
Ibid.
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Jesus teaching the disciples privately (Mk. 4:10, 34; 8:27; 9:33; 10:32).8 However, these
disciples may not be mentioned because Mark does note that Jesus tells them to tell no one after
raising Jairus’ daughter (Mk. 5:37), and Christ has a similar command for the “inner three” after
they witness the transfiguration (Mk. 9:9). Perhaps Matthew and Luke made note of this in the
use of Mark’s account. James is one of four present (Peter, Andrew, and John) to hear Christ
teach them of the end of the age (Mk. 13:3-13), and one of the three present, (along with Peter
and John) when Jesus is praying in the garden before He is about to be betrayed and crucified
(Mk. 14:32-42). While Matthew and Luke may not have seen the need to show the same
emphasis as Mark, it is evident that Mark did see James as one of the disciples that had a more
intimate relationship with their savior. Mark’s close relationship with Peter would have been
another reason as to why Mark viewed James along with Peter and John in this way. It is also
important to note that James and his brother John were the only disciples to be given a new name
A Son of Thunder
One of the peculiar verses noted earlier was Mark’s account of Jesus’ name for James
and his brother, Boanerges. What is it that Jesus meant by this name for these two brothers?
Ronald Brownrigg states that it was for their zeal and spirit, and it was shown in their desire
to destroy a Samaritan village that was inhospitable.10 Jesus does rebuke James and John in
their asking permission to call fire down on the inhospitable Samaritan village. Perhaps one
reason why Jesus called them by the nickname, “the sons of thunder” (Lk. 9:54). Culpepper
8
Ibid.
9
Culpepper, 40.
10
Ronald Brownrigg, Who’s Who in the New Testament, (Florence: Taylor and Francis, 2001), 115.
viii
says that these passages that mention James and his brother without Peter do not paint an
intimate portrait but rather a picture of two that were intolerant and hot-tempered.11
However he further notes that just like the name that was given to Simon (Peter, which
means rock) was an ironic one, the same may be said for the name given to James and John
and their future state.12 Just as Christ saw in Peter what he would become (and could be
argued showed some glimpses of), Christ saw the same in James’ and John’s misguided
ambition to be great (Mk. 10:35-40; Matt. 20:20-28). Jewish tradition shows that names
were given to someone who is given to act a specific task or given as a future promise
according to Culpepper.13 Culpepper’s assertion would make since in light of what we know
of Peter as well as James and John. While there is just a brief mention in the Acts of the
Apostles about James, it is an account of the first martyrdom of an apostle (Acts 12:1-3).
Brownrigg makes mention that Luke’s account of James death in Acts is the only biblical
account, as well as the most reliable account of any of the original twelve.14 This would be
the fulfillment of what Jesus would foreshadow earlier as James was the first to drink
Christ’s cup of death and succumb to His baptism of suffering (Mk. 10:35-40).15 Because
the death of James at the hands of Herrod Agrippa I pleased the Jews so much, it ended up
landing Peter in jail. The fact that James died for his faith in Jesus as Lord and savior reveals
the courage that James had to continue following his Lord and Savior.
11
Culpepper, 38.
12
Ibid., 40.
13
Ibid.
14
Brownrigg, 115.
15
Ibid.
ix
Application
What is to be said now of James? The biblical texts dealing with James show the culture
and climate that James lived in. In fact, Culpepper states that much can be revealed of James
religious culture and environment just from his name.16 James was a Hellenized form of Jacob
and was a very common Jewish name, and Zebedee means “gift of Yahweh”.17 The biblical
texts initially show a character of zeal to leave everything behind to follow Jesus (Matt. 4:22).
Christians today should take note. There are often grumblings anytime a preacher speaks of
money from the pulpit. Comments will often be repeated like, “All Jesus wants is our hearts, and
He does not need our money.” While that may be true, one can look at the zeal of James and see
what giving your heart to Jesus entails. Not only does Jesus want our money, He wants
everything, every single part of our lives. Christ wants nothing to stand in the way of us having
all of Him. The biblical text shows that James knew he could trust the savior, and his desire to
be with Jesus was evident. The biblical text also shows that James was not anywhere near
perfection, nor where Christ wanted Him to be. James zeal often revealed itself as misguided
ambition. Jesus let James know in no uncertain terms that James’ reward was not a throne of
power in the Lord’s kingdom, but to share in His suffering and to be a servant (Matt. 20:20-23).
Perhaps it was a since of entitlement for being more close with the Lord than the others. Mark’s
gospel shows it even made the other ten “indignant” of James and John (Mk. 10:35-40). Jesus
even has to rebuke James and his brother John in wanting to call down fire from heaven on an
ungenerous Samaritan village (Lk. 9:54). These two instances must have been terribly
embarrassing for James and John. Even though James was misguided in this ambition, he did
16
Culpepper, 7.
17
Culpepper, 7.
x
desire to be with the Lord in eternity. This is something all believers in Christ should keep in
mind, and desire to be with our Lord for eternity just like James. It is evident that James did
persevere in the faith. He would be the first apostle to die for his Lord and savior. There is no
doubt that James was courageous. Death is a horrible thing that believers have to deal with, and
I do not believe the church in America truly understands the gravity of such courage. All
believers of Christ should take note of what it may possibly mean for us on this earth to follow
Jesus. This is something that James would have been very aware of, but he not waiver and
Conclusion
In closing it is evident that James (the son of Zebedee) had a faith that was so strong that
his desire to be with Christ led to his death by the hands of Herrod Agrippa I. Even though
James had a misguided zeal, James remained faithful because Christ remained faithful to him. It
is evident that Jesus had an intimate relationship with James. This should also stand as a picture
for the church to emulate as well in the type of relationships that believers should have. Jesus
had different types of relationships just as we do. The intimate relationships that believers have
make a large impact in people’s lives. So while this is a biography of James (the son of
Zebedee) and his ambition, courage and zeal; it is ultimately about the effect that Christ had on
James and gifted him with such talents. After viewing the character of James, this research
revealed that ultimately, it is all about Jesus! This is what James would want his biography to be
xi
Bibliography
Brownrigg, Canon Ronald, and Brownrigg, Ronald. Who's Who in the New Testament. Florence:
Taylor and Francis, 2001.
Cheney, Emily. "The Mother of the Sons of Zebedee (Matthew 27.56)." Journal for the
Study of the New Testament 20, no. 68: 13-21. Religion and Philosophy Collection.
Culpepper, R. Alan. John, the Son of Zebedee: The Life of a Legend. Columbia, S.C.:
University of South Carolina Press, 1994.
Keener, Craig S. IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove:
InterVarsity Press, 2014.
Kreitzer, Beth. Luke. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2001. Accessed August 19, 2017.
ProQuest Ebook Central.
Maloney, Francis J. Gospel of Mark: A Commentary. Grand Rapids: Baker Publishing Group,
2012.
xii