Zebedee

(my gift ) (Greek form of Zabdi ) a fisherman of Galilee, the father of the apostles James the Great and John ( Matthew 4:21 ) and the husband of Salome. ( Matthew 27:56 ; Mark 15:40 ) He probably lived either at Bethsaida or in its immediate neighborhood. It has been inferred from the mention of his "hired servants," ( Mark 1:20 ) and from the acquaintance between the apostle John and Annas the high priest, ( John 18:15 ) that the family of Zebedee were in easy circumstances. comp. ( John 19:27 ) although not above manual labor. ( Matthew 4:21 ) He appears only twice in the Gospel narrative, namely, in ( Matthew 4:21 Matthew 4:22 ; Mark 1:19 Mark 1:20 ) where he is seen in his boat with his two sons mending their nets.