Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
), and the father of James and John, two of our Lord’s disciples (Matt. 4:21; 27:56; Mark 15:40). He seems to have been a man of some position in Capernaum, for he had two boats (Luke 5:4) and “hired servants” (Mark 1:20) of his own. No mention is made of him after the call of his two sons by Jesus.
Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
(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 4:21,22; Mark 1:19,20) where he is seen in his boat with his two sons mending their nets.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898) & Schaff's Bible Dictionary
ZEB'EDEE (Jehovah's gift), the husband of Salome, Matt 27:56; Mark 15:40, and father of the apostles James the Great and John, Matt 4:21; lived as a fisherman in or near Bethsaida. When his two sons left him to follow Jesus, he made no objections. Matt 4:21-22; Mark 1:19-20, and his wife was one of the women who were in constant attendance on our Saviour, but he himself is not mentioned as being among the disciples, although doubtless friendly to Christ.
Hitchcock's Bible Names (1869)
abundant; portion