"Zebedee, pr. name, the father of Jas. and John, Mt. 4:21; Mk. 10:35; Lk. 5:10; Jn. 21:1*"
Definition and meaning
Zebedee, pr. name, the father of Jas. and John, Mt. 4:21; Mk. 10:35; Lk. 5:10; Jn. 21:1*
In the original Greek the word is written: Ζεβεδαῖος
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of zebedaios (G2199) across the King James Bible.
And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.
And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.
And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.
And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.
And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:
And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.
And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
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Common questions
Strong's G2199 (zebedaios) is a Greek word that means: Zebedee, pr. name, the father of Jas. and John, Mt. 4:21; Mk. 10:35; Lk. 5:10; Jn. 21:1* It appears 11 times in the King James Bible.
The word zebedaios (G2199) appears 11 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2199 is zebedaios, a Greek word defined as: Zebedee, pr. name, the father of Jas. and John, Mt. 4:21; Mk. 10:35; Lk. 5:10; Jn. 21:1*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
zebedaios is a Greek word found in the New Testament.