John, James, Andrew and Peter were fishermen, when Jesus came to the shore of the lake of Gennesaret and invited them to join him as “fishers of men.” Jesus gave the first two the surname Boanerges, “Sons of Thunder,” due to their strong temperament.

John, James and Peter became prominent among the apostles. They were the only ones allowed to witness the miracle of the resurrection of Jairus’ daughter, the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law and the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor; and they heard Jesus’ words in Gethsemane. In the episodes after Jesus’ Resurrection, they again appear frequently in his company.

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Life and apostleship