One of Jesus’ inner circle of three (with Peter and John), present at the Transfiguration, the raising of Jairus’ daughter, and Gethsemane. James and his brother John were nicknamed ‘Sons of Thunder’ for their fiery temperament—they once asked Jesus to call down fire on a Samaritan village. James became the first apostle to be martyred when King Herod Agrippa had him executed by the sword around AD 44, as recorded in Acts 12.
He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.Acts 12:2 · Berean Standard Bible
Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him.
Forty days of hunger, three devastating temptations, and the devil's best offer — Jesus refuses every shortcut to power.
After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
Three disciples witness Jesus transfigured in blinding light alongside Moses and Elijah. Then they come back down to a world that still needs healing.
About that time, King Herod reached out to harm some who belonged to the church. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.
Herod kills James and jails Peter. An angel opens the prison doors at night. Peter knocks on the door, and no one believes it's really him.
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