Long form biography of James son of Zebedee. James the brother of John was a fisherman called into the inner circle of Jesus companions. He appears with Peter and John at the transfiguration and in the garden of Gethsemane and is remembered for his zeal and willingness to follow Jesus into difficult places. According to Acts he became the first apostle to be martyred a turning point that marks the beginning of official persecution of the apostolic band. James life illustrates the cost of discipleship and the early churchs witness under pressure.

Acts 12:1 to 2; Matthew 17:1 to 9; Mark 9:2 to 8