Boanerges

A name meaning “sons of thunder.” Jesus gave this name to James and John, Zebedee’s sons (Mark 3:17). The reason for the name is unclear. The name may have referred to

  • the unpredictable personalities of the two brothers (Luke 9:54),

  • to their possible revolutionary past as Zealots (a violent group in Judea who opposed being ruled by the Roman Empire), or even

  • to a style of speaking that was like thunder.

From Tyndale Bible Dictionary, adapted by Mission Mutual. CC BY-SA 4.0.

Scripture References (2)

Mark

Luke