Matthew 4:21
And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
Cross-reference
In Matthew 17:1, James and John are chosen with Peter for the Transfiguration — they are part of Jesus' inner circle.
In Matthew 26:37, James and John are with Jesus in Gethsemane, again singled out among the disciples.
In Matthew 10:2, James and John are listed among the twelve apostles, confirming their role after this calling.
In Matthew 20:20, the mother of James and John asks for them to sit at Jesus' right and left — later familial ambition.
In Matthew 20:21, the mother requests that her sons (James and John) have highest honor in Jesus' kingdom.
In Mark 1:19, Jesus calls James and John from the boat — a parallel account of this same event.
In Mark 1:20, James and John leave their father Zebedee with hired men, highlighting immediate obedience.
Luke 5:10 identifies James and John as partners with Simon, adding background to their call in Matthew 4:21.
Luke 5:11 shows them leaving everything to follow Jesus, paralleling the response after the call in Matthew 4:21.
In Mark 5:37, James and John are among the three witnesses at Jairus' daughter's raising — special privilege.
Acts 12:2 records James' martyrdom, the ultimate cost of discipleship initiated in Matthew 4:21.
In Mark 3:17, Jesus gives James and John the name 'Boanerges, sons of thunder' — their fiery character.
Luke 6:14 includes James and John in the list of apostles, confirming their role from their call in Matthew 4:21.
John 21:2 lists the sons of Zebedee among disciples post-resurrection, showing their continued commitment from the call in Matthew 4:21.