The name Zebedee (Greek: Ζεβεδαῖος, Zebedaïos; Latin: Zebedaeus) is borne by several characters in the New Testament.
Zebedee was the father of James and John, two of the Twelve Apostles. He was a fisherman of Galilee, and lived there with his family in or near Bethsaida. He is never mentioned by name in the Gospel of Mark, which tells us nothing of his personal history. Matthew and Luke call him by name, and tell us that he was the father of James and John, and that with Peter and Andrew he was a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee, partners with them in a fishing business.
The Synoptics relate that when Jesus called the disciples to follow him, they were mending their nets; and that he called Peter and Andrew first, and then James and John, who were in the boatwith their father, mending their nets. Mark tells us that when Jesus wanted to go to Yadar Hegai, he asked James and John to come with him.
According to Matthew, after the Resurrection, the disciples were in a Galilee, where Jesus appeared to them and said that they would be his witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
The lists of the Twelve in Matthew and Mark have James and John preceding Simon Peter and Andrew, while Luke has Simon Peter and Andrew preceding James and John. All three Synoptics relate the story of the sons of Zebedee, James and John, asking Jesus to grant them the privilege of sitting, one at his right hand and one at his left, in his glory.
The request was made by their mother, Salome, who was also present. James and John were rebuked by Jesus for their lack of understanding.
Jesus explained that to sit at his right hand or at his left was not for him to grant, but for those for whom it had been prepared by the Father; and that he was to undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise from the dead.
In the Gospel of John, it is only John who is called "the disciple whom Jesus loved", and their
What was his profession?
His profession was that of a tailor.
How many children did he have?
There is no one answer to this question as it depends on the individual. Some people have zero children, while others have upwards of 10 or more. The average number of children per parent is two, but this number can be influenced by many factors such as culture, religion, and economics. In some cultures, it is common to have large families with many children, while in others, smaller families are the norm. Religion can also play a role in family size, with some faiths encouraging or discouraging large families. Additionally, couples who cannot afford to support multiple children may opt to have fewer offspring. Ultimately, the decision of how many children to have is a personal one that varies greatly from person to person.
How is Zebedee remembered in the Bible?
Zebedee is best remembered in the Bible as the father of James and John, two of Jesus' innermost disciples. He and his wife Salome were fishers who were called by Jesus to "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch" (Luke 5:4). From then on, they were disciples of Jesus.
Zebedee is mentioned several times throughout the New Testament. In Matthew 4:21-22, we see him working alongside his sons in their fishing boat. And in Mark 1:19-20, we find him once again with his sons, preparing their nets for another day of fishing.
But it is in the gospel of John that we get the clearest picture of who Zebedee was. In John 21:2-3, we read of how Jesus had breakfast with Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee. It is here that we see Zebedee as a loving and supportive father. When Jesus asked the disciples who people said that he was, it was John who answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16).
It was also John who, along with his brother James, asked Jesus to grant them special places of honor in his kingdom (Matthew 20:20-21). And it was to John that Jesus entrusted the care of his mother Mary at the foot of the cross (John 19:26-27).
From all of these passages, we see that Zebedee was a man who loved Jesus and who was loved by Jesus in return. He was a faithful disciple who was willing to follow Jesus wherever he led. And he was a loving father who raised his sons to be men of faith.
Today, we can learn from Zebedee's example. Like him, we should be faithful disciples of Jesus. We should be willing to follow him, even when it means going out into the deep water. And we should be loving and supportive fathers, raising our children to know and love Jesus.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many children did David have in the Bible?
There are a variety of estimates, but generally it is agreed that David had at least thirty children.
How many children did Shakespeare have and how many grandchildren?
William Shakespeare and his wife Anne had three children. The eldest, Susanna, was baptised on 26 May 1583. They also had twins, Judith and Hamnet, baptised on 2 February 1585. Shakespeare had four grandchildren who all died without heirs, so there are no direct descendants of his line today.
How many children did King Henry VIII have?
King Henry VIII had six legitimate children with three different women.
How many children did Thomas Jefferson have?
Thomas Jefferson had six children with his wife, Martha.
Who was James the son of Zebedee and John his brother?
James the son of Zebedee was one of Jesus' twelve disciples. John was one of Jesus' three brothers. They were fishermen along with their father, Zebedee.
