John, the son of Zebedee

Also known as: John (apostle) / John the brother of James / John the son of Zebedee · Family: Jesus and his followers · Role: disciple · First appears: Matthew 4

In Matthew 4 and Mark 1, John, the son of Zebedee, worked with his brother James, the son of Zebedee and their father Zebedee when Jesus called them. John and James, the son of Zebedee left Zebedee and their boat to follow Jesus, while in Luke 5 John and James, the son of Zebedee—partners of Peter—abandoned everything for their new vocation. Jesus later ordained John among the twelve, gave him authority to preach, heal, and cast out devils, and sent him to Israel to preach, heal, cleanse, raise the dead, and cast out devils.

Jesus also gave John and James, the son of Zebedee the surname Boanerges, meaning Sons of Thunder. John was among the three allowed to accompany Jesus with Peter when he went to Jairus’s daughter, and he shared with James, the son of Zebedee in asking for positions beside Jesus in glory, a request Jesus refused. In Matthew 10, John served under Jesus’s command, while the teaching described God as their Father.

In Acts 4, John and Peter were arrested and held until the next day, then questioned in Jerusalem by Annas, Caiaphas, John (kindred of the high priest), and Alexander. These figures commanded them not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus, but John and Peter refused, answering, “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.” After further threats, Annas, Caiaphas, John (kindred of the high priest), and Alexander released them because the people glorified God.