The apostle James is the one referred to in this text. He is often referred to as James the Elder, James the brother of John, James the son of Zebedee, or James the Great. He was one of Jesus’ inner circle of apostles, along with his brother John, and Peter (Matt 4:21; 10:2). James was the son of Zebedee and Salome, and was from Galilee. James, John and Peter were also partners in a fishing business before being called by Jesus. There is not much known about James in the New Testament; he is also mentioned by Josephus. In fact, his name never appears apart from that of his brother, John. With John and Peter he saw Jairus’ daughter raised from the dead (Mark 5:37), the Transfiguration (Mark 9:2), and was commanded to stay awake with Jesus in Gethsemane (Matt 26:38). He was the first apostle to be martyred; Herod Agrippa I had him killed “with the sword” (Acts 12:1, 2) in A.D. 44 (Wheaton, "James" 917). He should not be confused with James the brother of Jesus, known as James the Just or James the Lesser.1
According to Matthew 4:21-22, Mark 1:19-20, and Luke 5:10, Zebedee, whose name means “gift,” was the father of two of Jesus’ disciples, namely, James and John (“the sons of thunder” cf. Luke 9:52-54; Mark 3:17). Zebedee was involved in the fishing business on the Sea of Galilee, based out of Capernaum (north western shore). Zebedee was financially successful given the recorded statement in Mark 1:19-20 that he possessed hired servants who were fishing along with James and John. While it is reasonable to assume that Simon Peter and Andrew knew James and John before Jesus called them to be his disciples, it is possible that Peter and Andrew worked for Zebedee (see Luke 5:10). Zebedee’s wife, who seems to be Salome (Mark 16:1), also became a follower of Jesus Christ (Mark 15:40-41), was present at His crucifixion, purchased fragrant oils for anointing Jesus following His burial (Matt 27:56; John 19:25), discovered the empty tomb, and received the news from an angel that Jesus rose bodily from the dead (Mark 16:1-8). If it is the case that Salome is Mary’s sister (Mark 16:1; Matt 27:56; John 19:25), then Zebedee by marriage would have been Jesus’ uncle. Though we have no other information about Zebedee, it is not recorded in Scripture that he was an obstacle when Jesus called his sons to be disciples or when his wife followed Jesus’ public ministry.
1As he went out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, see what kind of stones and what kind of buildings!”
2Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone on another, which will not be thrown down.”
3As he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, 4“Tell us, when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are all about to be fulfilled?”
5Jesus, answering, began to tell them, “Be careful that no one leads you astray. 6For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’and will lead many astray.
7“When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, don’t be troubled. For those must happen, but the end is not yet. 8For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places. There will be famines and troubles. These things are the beginning of birth pains.
9“But watch yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils. You will be beaten in synagogues. You will stand before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them. 10The Good News must first be preached to all the nations. 11When they lead you away and deliver you up, don’t be anxious beforehand or premeditate what you will say, but say whatever will be given you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.
12“Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 13You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved.
14“But when you see the abomination of desolation,spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, 15and let him who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter in, to take anything out of his house. 16Let him who is in the field not return back to take his cloak. 17But woe to those who are with child and to those who nurse babies in those days! 18Pray that your flight won’t be in the winter. 19For in those days there will be oppression, such as there has not been the like from the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will be. 20Unless the Lord had shortened the days, no flesh would have been saved; but for the sake of the chosen ones, whom he picked out, he shortened the days. 21Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, there!’ don’t believe it. 22For false christs and false prophets will arise and will show signs and wonders, that they may lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones. 23But you watch.
“Behold, I have told you all things beforehand. 24But in those days, after that oppression, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, 25the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken.26Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27Then he will send out his angels, and will gather together his chosen ones from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the sky.
28“Now from the fig tree, learn this parable. When the branch has now become tender and produces its leaves, you know that the summer is near; 29even so you also, when you see these things coming to pass, know that it is near, at the doors. 30Most certainly I say to you, this generationwill not pass away until all these things happen. 31Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
32“But of that day or that hour no one knows—not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33Watch, keep alert, and pray; for you don’t know when the time is.
34“It is like a man traveling to another country, having left his house and given authority to his servants, and to each one his work, and also commanded the doorkeeper to keep watch. 35Watch therefore, for you don’t know when the lord of the house is coming—whether at evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning; 36lest, coming suddenly, he might find you sleeping. 37What I tell you, I tell all: Watch!”