Note 5 at Mk. 10:35: Zebedee -- (Gk.-"Zebedaios"). The meaning is uncertain but it is thought that it may be derived from the Hebrew word "zibdi" meaning "the gift of Yahweh." Zebedee was not famous because of recorded deeds that he had done but because he was the father of the two prominent apostles, James (see note 3 at Mk. 1:19, p. 65) and John (see Authorship, p. xx).

Zebedee perhaps resided in Bethsaida or Capernaum since it was in that area that his sons operated a fishing business on the Sea of Galilee with another set of prominent brothers, Andrew (see note 2 at Mt. 4:18, p. 65) and Peter (see note 3 at Mk. 1:29, p. 67). It must have been a thriving business because they had hired men (Mk. 1:20). The fishing business was radically changed the day that Jesus called Zebedee's sons to forsake their father's business (Mt. 4:21-22) and become fishers of men (Lk. 5:10).

Zebedee's wife was Salome (Mt. 27:56; Mk. 15:40), an avid supporter of the ministry of Jesus (Mk. 15:40-41). She was present at the crucifixion (Mt. 27:54-56) and went to the tomb to anoint the body of the Lord (Mk. 16:1).