James, son of Zebedee
c. -16* – c. 44 · Galilee
Also known as James the Greater
Feast: 25 July (Catholic) · 30 April (Orthodox)
Brother of John, son of Zebedee, one of the Twelve and of the inner three. Beheaded by Herod Agrippa I c. AD 44 — the first apostle martyred.
Highlights
- Main contribution
- James, son of Zebedee, belonged to the inner circle with Peter and John.
- Primary source
- Acts of the Apostles 12:1-2
James, son of Zebedee, belonged to the inner circle with Peter and John. He was present for moments such as the Transfiguration and Gethsemane, where the glory and agony of Christ are shown most intensely. Acts 12 records that Herod Agrippa I had him beheaded around AD 44, making him the first apostolic martyrdom narrated inside the New Testament. Later traditions about Spain and Compostela are historically harder to prove, but his death in Acts is already enough: the apostolic witness became costly very quickly.
Primary sources
- ·Acts of the Apostles 12:1-2
- ·Gospel of Mark 3:17
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