James, the Son of Zebedee, Put to Death with the Sword, in the Year 45

James, surnamed the Greater, was the son of Zebedee and Salome, and a fisherman by trade; but when Christ called him to be His disciple, he left fishing and followed Christ. Matthew 4, verse 21; Mark 1, verse 19.

He was instructed for a considerable time, together with the other disciples, in the duties of the apostleship, until he was properly sent out in that capacity. Matthew 10, verse 2; Mark 6, verse 17; Luke 6, verse 13.

He was given the gift of working signs and miracles, and because of this special gift he was one of the three surnamed Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder. He was with Jesus on every remarkable occasion; so much so that he was chosen by the Lord to behold His glory on the holy mount, and afterward to witness His sufferings in the garden of Gethsemane. Mark 3, verses 17 and 18; Matthew 17, verse 1; Matthew 26, verse 36.

Christ had predicted of him that he would drink of the same cup of which He (Christ) would drink, and that he would be baptized with the same baptism with which He was baptized; that is, that he would be subject to His (Christ's) suffering and death. Matthew 20, verses 22 and 23.

After the death of Christ he joined the other apostles, to be a witness with them of His suffering, death, and resurrection, and to be instructed concerning His kingdom during the forty days after His resurrection.

After Christ's ascension he also remained at Jerusalem; and when he, together with the other apostles, had received the Holy Ghost there, he preached the Gospel in Judea and Samaria. Acts 1, verses 13 and 14.

From there, as some relate, he went to Spain; but, meeting with little success, he returned to Judea, where, it is said, he was opposed by Hermogenes, a sorcerer. But since Abdias, bishop of Babylon, and others relate many things of him which seem to be altogether fictitious, we shall not mention them. Petr. de nat., book 6, chapter 133. Abdias Babyl., van den Strijd der Apostelen. [n100-1]

This apostle lived only until the fourth year of the Emperor Claudius, at which time, Agabus had predicted, there should be a famine throughout all the world. Oros., book 7, chapter 6. [n100-2]

At that time Claudius charged Herod Agrippa to suppress the church of Christ. Then Herod laid his bloody hands on this apostle and, on the feast of the passover, put him in prison. Shortly afterward he was sentenced to death, and executed with the sword, in Jerusalem. This happened in the year forty-five after the birth of Christ. Acts 12, verse 2.

Clemens relates that the executioner, seeing his innocence, was converted to the Christian faith, and died with him. According to the annotation of Eusebius Pamphilius, from Clemens Alexandrinus, the executioner was so moved by the death of James that he declared himself to be a Christian; and so, as he states, both were led out together to death. As they were led out, the executioner asked James to forgive him. James, after a little deliberation, said, "Peace be with you," and kissed him. And so both were beheaded. Euseb., book 2, chapter 9, ex Clem. Alexand. Also W. Baudart. Apophthegmat., book 1, page 4, from Joach. Camer., in vita Christi, page 42. Niceph., book 2, chapter 3. Strac., in Festo Jacobi, page 209. Cie. Circa, chapter 45. Annum. [n100-3] James was the first martyr of the apostles. This history shows the eagerness of the ancient believers.