boanerges Summary and Overview

sons of thunder, a surname given by our Lord to James and John (Mark 3:17) on account of their fervid and impetuous temper (Luke 9:54).

a name signifying sons of thunder, given by our Lord to the two sons of Zebedee, James and John, probably on account of their fiery earnestly. #Mr 3:17| See #Lu 9:54; Mr 9:38| comp. Matt 20:20 etc.

BOANER'GES (sons of thunder), the name Christ gave to James and John, probably because of their fiery zeal; for proof of which, see Luke 9:51;Mark 9:38; comp. Matt 20:20.

"Sons of thunder." The Aramaic name given to James and John by Jesus. Hebrew beney regesh; Their fiery zeal appears in (Luke 9:54) their desiring the Lord's permission that they should command fire from heaven (like Elias) to consume the Samaritans who would not receive Him, "because His face was as though He would go to Jerusalem." Also in (Mark 9:38) their forbidding one casting out demons in Christ's name, because he followed not with them. Compare also their ambition for the highest place in Christ's kingdom, next Himself (Mark 9:35-41). Grace subsequently corrected this zeal without knowledge, making James the willing martyr (Acts 12) and John the apostle of gentleness and love. Still the old zeal against perverters of the truth as it is in Jesus appears in 2 John 1:10-11; 3 John 1:10.