James and John, then, as depicted in the Gospels, were men of human failings and imperfections, very alike in disposition, their temper easily aroused, their ambitions out of keeping with their calling; in a word, not exactly saintly.  Their energies were still struggling between their own self-interest on the one hand and God’s will on the other, and self-interest often came off best.  For it was not their fiery temperament which was at fault – many great saints have been fiery and outspoken in the cause of right against wrong – it was that they misdirected it and were inspired by sordid and worldly motives.

In spite of this they were from the very beginning two of the three close friends of Our Lord who formed the inner ring of the 12 Apostles – Peter, James and John – and it is noteworthy that on these three alone did he bestow the privilege of a nickname.  Them alone did he take with him to see Jairus’s daughter when he raised her from the dead.  To them alone did he, by his Transfiguration, give a vision of his glory and the assurance of his divine Sonship and authority.  And finally, them alone did he ask to share the most poignant hour of his life, his agony of soul in the Garden of Gethsemane, too personal to be witnessed by any but those nearest to him.