Bible Dictionary
Boanerges
Boanerges, meaning “sons of thunder,” was the surname Jesus gave to James and John, the sons of Zebedee. The name reflects their fervent and impetuous character.
Definition
Boanerges means “sons of thunder.” It was the surname Jesus gave to James and John, the sons of Zebedee. The name is associated in the supplied material with their fervid, fiery, earnest, and impetuous character.
Biblical Usage
Jesus bestowed the surname on James and John when they were appointed to the apostleship. Their conduct in wanting judgment upon a Samaritan village and their fiery zeal are associated with the name.
Historical Background
The name is explained through the expression “sons of thunder.” An additional comparison with the “Heavenly Twins” is noted in the supplied material, but the surname’s biblical identification is James and John.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
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).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
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. (Mark 3:17) See (Luke 9:54; Mark 9:38) comp. Matt 20:20 etc.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>bo-a-nur'-jez (Boanerges; bene reghesh, "sons of thunder"): The surname bestowed by Jesus upon James and John, the sons of Zebedee, when they were ordained to the apostleship (Mr 3:17). See JAMES. It has also been regarded as an equivalent of the "Heavenly Twins," the Sons of Zeus or Thunder. According to this interpretation, the name Boanerges would represent the Dioscuri in some form or other of their varied presentation in the cults of the Mediterranean (compare Professor J. Rendel Harris in The Expositor, series vii, III, 146).</p><p>C. M. Kerr</p>