{"id":56355,"date":"2019-12-18T02:55:04","date_gmt":"2019-12-17T23:55:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=56355"},"modified":"2025-09-24T22:27:11","modified_gmt":"2025-09-24T19:27:11","slug":"the-parents-of-james-and-john","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2019\/12\/18\/the-parents-of-james-and-john\/","title":{"rendered":"The Parents of James and John"},"content":{"rendered":"

! Today we thank the Lord for giving us another day to reflect on His Word. In this study, we will learn about the parents of two of Jesus\u2019 apostles\u2014James and John<\/strong>, the sons of Zebedee. We will also see how the role of parents can deeply shape the spiritual lives of their children.<\/p>\n

Scripture teaches that when a parent raises a child in the fear of the Lord, God places a crown of grace upon that child\u2019s head:<\/p>\n

\u201cListen, my son, to your father\u2019s instruction and do not forsake your mother\u2019s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.\u201d
\n(Proverbs 1:8\u20139)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Thus, the foundation laid by parents is not only for worldly success, but even more importantly, for eternal life in Christ.<\/p>\n

\n

Why Were James and John So Close to Jesus?<\/h2>\n

Among the twelve apostles, only three\u2014Peter, James, and John\u2014were often invited into the Lord\u2019s most intimate moments. For example, they alone witnessed the raising of Jairus\u2019 daughter (Mark 5:37), the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1\u20132), and Jesus\u2019 agony in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:37).<\/p>\n

Out of these three, two were brothers<\/strong>\u2014James and John. In fact, John was the disciple \u201cwhom Jesus loved\u201d (John 13:23), the one who leaned on His chest during the Last Supper. Why did Jesus show such closeness to these brothers? It was not because the others were less faithful. Rather, it points to a divine purpose in their calling and the spiritual environment shaped by their parents.<\/p>\n

Jesus even gave James and John a special name\u2014Boanerges<\/strong>, meaning \u201csons of thunder\u201d<\/em> (Mark 3:17). This shows the zeal, boldness, and spiritual fervor that marked their lives\u2014a trait that was encouraged by their upbringing.<\/p>\n

\n

Zebedee: A Father Who Released His Sons to Christ<\/h2>\n

When Jesus called James and John, they were working with their father Zebedee in the family fishing business:<\/p>\n

\u201cGoing 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, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him.\u201d
\n(Matthew 4:21\u201322)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Notice that Zebedee did not resist. He allowed both of his sons to leave the family trade and follow Jesus wholeheartedly. This is remarkable. Many parents today would struggle to let go of even one child to serve the Lord, yet Zebedee released both.<\/p>\n

This shows us the faith of a father who valued eternal purpose above earthly business. Though it meant more labor for him and reliance on hired men, he gladly let his sons go, trusting God\u2019s plan for their lives.<\/p>\n

\n

Salome: A Mother Who Desired Eternal Blessings for Her Sons<\/h2>\n

The mother of James and John, traditionally identified as Salome<\/strong>, also played a significant role. Matthew records:<\/p>\n

\u201cThen the mother of Zebedee\u2019s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of Him.
\n\u2018What is it you want?\u2019 He asked.
\nShe said, \u2018Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.\u2019\u201d
\n(Matthew 20:20\u201321)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Though her request showed limited understanding of God\u2019s kingdom, it reveals her heart for her sons\u2019 eternal destiny<\/strong>. She did not only want them to follow Jesus on earth but also to share in His glory in heaven.<\/p>\n

Jesus corrected her perspective, reminding them that discipleship requires suffering:<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?\u201d
\n(Matthew 20:22)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And indeed, both James and John would share in Christ\u2019s sufferings\u2014James as the first apostle to be martyred (Acts 12:2), and John through persecution and exile on Patmos (Revelation 1:9).<\/p>\n

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A Lesson for Parents Today<\/h2>\n

The example of Zebedee and Salome shows us how much parents can influence the spiritual destiny of their children. Unlike other apostles\u2019 parents, who are never mentioned, the parents of James and John stood side by side<\/strong> with their children\u2019s calling.<\/p>\n

Their support opened the way for James and John to become part of Jesus\u2019 inner circle, experiencing revelations that others did not.<\/p>\n

As Christian parents (or future parents), we are called to do the same. Supporting our children in the ways of the Lord is one of the greatest investments we can make:<\/p>\n

\u201cStart children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.\u201d
\n(Proverbs 22:6)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Practical applications:<\/p>\n