Zebedee
“Gift of God”
Summary
A Galilean fisherman who was the father of the apostles James and John and the husband of Salome.
☩Family and Occupation
Zebedee was a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee, likely residing at Bethsaida or its immediate vicinity. He was the father of James (the Great) and John, and the husband of Salome. The family appears to have been in comfortable circumstances, evidenced by the mention of hired servants working with them and by the apostle John's acquaintance with the high priest Annas. Zebedee was a partner with Simon Peter in their fishing enterprise.
☩Biblical Appearance
Zebedee appears directly in the Gospel narrative only once—when Jesus called James and John to discipleship. He was in his boat with his two sons mending their nets when Jesus summoned them. Notably, Zebedee raised no objection when his sons immediately left him to follow Jesus, suggesting a favorable disposition toward Christ's ministry. After the call of James and John, Zebedee was left with the hired servants, and the fishing partnership with Simon was dissolved.
☩Later References
While Zebedee himself is not mentioned as a disciple, his wife Salome was among the faithful women who ministered to Jesus, watched at the cross, and attended to his burial. The phrase 'the mother of Zebedee's children' used in Matthew 20:20 may suggest Zebedee had died by that time, as otherwise she would more naturally be called his wife.
Related Verses11 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Zebedee, or rather Zebedaeus," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Zebedee," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Zebedee," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Zebedee," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).