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Saint James, Son of Zebedee
Brother of John the Theologian
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Life and witness
Matthew 4:21–22 records the call of James and John, the sons of Zebedee. James was among the three disciples present at the Transfiguration and in Gethsemane (Mark 9:2; 14:33). Acts 12:1–2 states that Herod had James killed with the sword; it does not give a detailed account of the execution.
Historical setting
Matthew 4:21–22 records the call of James and John, the sons of Zebedee. James was among the three disciples present at the Transfiguration and in Gethsemane (Mark 9:2; 14:33). Acts 12:1–2 states that Herod had James killed with the sword; it does not give a detailed account of the execution.
Legacy and remembrance
This James is not James son of Alphaeus, and he is not automatically interchangeable with James the Lord’s brother. Later traditions about journeys and relics must be distinguished from the biblical account. His selected fixed feast in the Orthodox calendar is April 30.
More about the life
The individual church biography also places James with Peter and John at the raising of Jairus’s daughter. Its account of his execution refers to Eusebius’s Church History and tells of an accuser moved by James’s courage who sought his forgiveness. That episode belongs to the historical church narrative cited by the Life, whereas Acts itself records only the killing by the sword. Keeping these layers distinct allows a fuller remembrance of James without turning later details or the tradition of a Spanish mission into statements supplied by Acts.
Quotes
A sourced selection, not a popularity ranking. Quote wording stays in the cited language; context notes are editorial.
Scripture · King James Version
Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.
Canonical Scripture · Mark 10:37 (James to Jesus)
Context and edition
Mark records this request jointly from James and John. Jesus corrects their understanding in the following verses; it is not a spiritual instruction to seek status.
King James Version (1611), historical English edition.
King James Version (1611); not a new website-authored English translation.
Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.
Readings
Selected reading
Mark 10:35-36 (the sons of Zebedee approach Jesus)
And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?
English: cited historical translation. Modern Greek, Russian and Macedonian: LogosPharos translations through English, not direct translations from ancient Greek.
Editorial context
James and John ask to sit at the right and left hand of Christ in his glory. The passage records the request itself; the answer of Jesus about the cup and the cross follows in the same chapter.
View source text
Source text and edition
And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?
King James Version, the English translation cited here. Modern Greek, Russian and Macedonian below are relay translations through this English text, not direct translations from the Greek.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2010&version=KJV
Words recorded in the sources
Each quotation is reproduced from the cited source without changing its wording; its translation basis is stated in its source panel.
Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.
Mark 10:37 (James to Jesus)
English: cited historical translation. Modern Greek, Russian and Macedonian: LogosPharos translations through English, not direct translations from ancient Greek.
View source text
Source text and edition
Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.
King James Version, the English translation cited here. Modern Greek, Russian and Macedonian below are relay translations through this English text, not direct translations from the Greek.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2010&version=KJV
Translations and context are AI-assisted and editorially reviewed, not independently certified by a scholar. Compare the displayed source text; short selections are not complete works.
Writings and works
Checked against Eastern Orthodox sources. Written works, recorded teaching, and works about the saint are distinguished.
No securely attributed writing is listed in the sources reviewed for this profile. This is not proof that the saint never wrote; the Church account below is a work about the saint, not by the saint.
Church life and commemoration
Work about the saint
Attribution source: Eastern Orthodox Church account
External sources may be in another language. Modern editions and translations can be copyrighted; full books are not copied here.
Miracles and testimony
These summaries distinguish Scripture, hagiographical accounts and later testimony. A source establishes that an event was reported, not independent proof of its supernatural cause. Miracles are attributed to God, not autonomous powers of saints. Reports of healing are not medical advice or a promise of recovery.
Scriptural account
Acts 5:12–16
Acts reports signs and healings through the apostles collectively. This passage does not identify which individual apostle performed each event; it is not evidence for a separate personal miracle attributed to this apostle.
Read the sourceResearch and reading notes
These are original editorial biographies, not copied source translations. Scripture, historical writing, and hagiographical tradition are distinguished in the text. This page is a study introduction, not an exhaustive critical edition or a personal spiritual rule.
The saints listed here are commemorated by Eastern Orthodox churches. These summaries and translations are independent editorial work, not official Church publications or Church-approved translations.
Church sources
https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/06/30/101711-synaxis-of-the-holy-glorious-and-all-praised-twelve-apostles
https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/04/30/101248-apostle-james-the-brother-of-saint-john-the-theologian