The sons of Zebedee were John and James (Matt 4:21). Nathanael of Cana (John 1:45-49) was also present along with Thomas and Peter and 2 unnamed disciples who may have been Philip of Bethsaida (John 1:44) and Andrew, Peter’s brother (John 1:40). The twelve were not all together so Jesus manifested Himself to these seven.

Matthew 4:21  Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them,

John 1:45-49  Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”  “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.  When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false.”  “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig-tree before Philip called you.”  Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”

John 1:44  Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida.

John 1:40  Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus.

Note that it is good for Christians to be together, not only in religious meetings, but also in the workplace and when having fun. There are several reasons for this:

1. so we will grow in the right direction (1 Cor 15:33, Psa 1:1)
   1 Corinthians 15:33  Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
   
   Psalms 1:1  Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
2. to encourage each other to live for Christ (Heb 10:24-25)
   Hebrews 10:24-25  And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds.  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
3. to be the support needed to grow (Ecc 4:9-12, 2 Tim 2:22)
   Ecclesiastes 4:9-12  Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:  If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no-one to help him up!  Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?  Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
   
   2 Timothy 2:22  Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
4. to restore those who stumble (Gal 6:1-2)
   Galatians 6:1-2  Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.  Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ.
5. to be an example of the love of God to a dying world (John 13:34-35).
   John 13:34-35  “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Notice that Thomas is in this group of disciples and is named next to Simon Peter, as if he was now hanging as close as possible to them so that he would not miss any more opportunities. Blessed is the man who learns from his mistakes.

“his . . . brothers” = “his brethern” (KJV) were the children of Mary and Joseph, which is called the Helvidian view.  Catholics hold that the brethern were either the children of Joseph by a former marriage (the view of Epiphanius) or the cousins of Jesus (the view of Jerome).  These various views are necessitated by the idea of Mary’s perpetual virginity.  However, Joseph is said to have not known her until after she bore Jesus and in this and another scripture Jesus is called Mary’s “firstborn.” Matt 1:25; Luke 2:7

Matt 1:25  But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Luke 2:7  and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.