Who Was James?
A Son of Thunder transformed into a servant.
James was the son of Zebedee and the older brother of John. Jesus called the brothers while they were mending nets, and they immediately followed Him. Jesus nicknamed them Boanerges, “Sons of Thunder,” likely reflecting their fiery personalities. James became part of Jesus’ closest group with Peter and John. He saw Jairus’s daughter raised, Jesus transfigured, and Jesus praying in Gethsemane. James and John once wanted prominent seats in Jesus’ kingdom, but Jesus taught that greatness comes through service. James later became the first of the twelve apostles recorded as killed for his witness to Christ.