James Zebedee

James, the older son of Zebedee, was 30 when chosen as an apostle. Married with four children, he was a fisherman who had known Jesus longer than any other apostle (with his brother John). Jesus nicknamed both brothers 'sons of thunder' (139:3.1). James was a temperamental contradiction with a fiery temper, yet also a well-balanced thinker and planner, vigorous but never in a hurry (139:3.7). He was the best public speaker after Peter and possibly Matthew. Modest and undramatic, a daily server, he bore his martyrdom with such grace that his accuser rushed away to become a disciple of Jesus (139:3.9).