Mark 3:17 Study Bible: and James the son of Zebedee; and John the brother of James (and he surnamed them Boanerges which means, Sons of Thunder);

◄ Mark 3:17 ►

James son of Zebedee and his brother John (whom He named Boanerges, meaning "Sons of Thunder"),

James son of Zebedee
The name "James" is derived from the Hebrew name "Yaakov," which means "supplanter" or "one who follows." James, along with his brother John, was one of the first disciples called by Jesus. Historically, James is recognized as a prominent figure among the apostles, often included in the inner circle of Jesus' followers. His designation as "son of Zebedee" helps distinguish him from other individuals named James in the New Testament. Zebedee was a fisherman by trade, indicating that James came from a working-class background, which underscores the diverse backgrounds of Jesus' disciples.

and his brother John
John, like James, was a son of Zebedee and a fisherman. The name "John" comes from the Hebrew "Yochanan," meaning "Yahweh is gracious." John is traditionally understood to be the "beloved disciple" and is credited with writing the Gospel of John, three epistles, and the Book of Revelation. His close relationship with Jesus is evident throughout the New Testament, and his inclusion here highlights the familial bond and shared mission with his brother James.

To them He gave the name Boanerges
The term "Boanerges" is a transliteration of the Aramaic or Hebrew phrase, which is unique to this passage. Jesus giving them this name suggests a special recognition of their character or future role. In the cultural and historical context, names were often given to signify a person's nature or destiny. This act of naming by Jesus indicates His authority and insight into their personalities and the impact they would have in spreading the Gospel.

which means 'Sons of Thunder'
The phrase "Sons of Thunder" is a vivid metaphor that likely refers to the zealous and passionate nature of James and John. In the scriptural context, thunder is often associated with the voice of God or divine power, as seen in various Old Testament passages. This name could imply their fervent spirit and boldness in proclaiming the message of Christ. Historically, this title may also reflect their impetuousness, as seen in other Gospel accounts where they exhibit fiery zeal, such as when they asked Jesus if they should call down fire from heaven on a Samaritan village (Luke 9:54). This name serves as a reminder of their transformation from zealous fishermen to powerful witnesses of Christ's resurrection and message.

Persons / Places / Events

1. James son of Zebedee
One of the twelve apostles, James was the brother of John. He was part of Jesus' inner circle and witnessed significant events such as the Transfiguration.

2. John
The brother of James and also one of the twelve apostles. John is traditionally believed to be the author of the Gospel of John, three epistles, and the Book of Revelation.

3. Boanerges
A name given by Jesus to James and John, meaning "Sons of Thunder." This name likely reflects their zealous and passionate nature.

4. Zebedee
The father of James and John, a fisherman by trade. He was likely a man of some means, as he had hired servants.

5. Jesus
The central figure of the New Testament, who called James and John to be His disciples and gave them the name Boanerges.

Teaching Points

Zeal for the Gospel
The name "Sons of Thunder" suggests a passionate zeal for the message of Christ. As believers, we are called to have a fervent commitment to sharing the Gospel.

Temperance and Transformation
While zeal is important, it must be tempered with love and wisdom. James and John's journey with Jesus transformed their initial fiery nature into one of love and service.

Intimacy with Christ
Being part of Jesus' inner circle, James and John had a close relationship with Him. This intimacy is available to all believers through prayer and study of the Word.

Legacy of Faith
James' martyrdom and John's contributions to the New Testament remind us of the lasting impact of a life dedicated to Christ.

Bible Study Questions

1. What does the name "Boanerges" reveal about the personalities of James and John, and how can understanding our own personalities help us serve God better?

2. How does the incident in Luke 9:54 reflect the need for balance between zeal and love in our Christian walk?

3. In what ways can we cultivate a closer relationship with Jesus, similar to the intimacy James and John experienced?

4. How does the transformation of James and John from "Sons of Thunder" to leaders in the early church encourage us in our spiritual growth?

5. Considering James' martyrdom and John's writings, what can we learn about the different ways God might use our lives for His purposes?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Luke 9:54
This passage illustrates the fiery temperament of James and John when they asked Jesus if they should call down fire from heaven on a Samaritan village that did not welcome them. This incident highlights why they might have been called "Sons of Thunder."

Matthew 17:1-2
James and John, along with Peter, were present at the Transfiguration of Jesus, indicating their special role among the disciples.

Acts 12:1-2
James is the first apostle to be martyred, showing his commitment and the potential cost of discipleship.

Sermons

Be True to a Good Name		Mark 3:17
Gentleness and Energy of Christianity	H. A. Nelson, D. D.	Mark 3:17
The Soils of Thunder	M. F. Sadler.	Mark 3:17
Thunder in Preaching	Anon.	Mark 3:17
Zeal Blended with Discretion	Trapp.	Mark 3:17
Retirement	R. Green	Mark 3:7-35
The Choosing of the Apostles	A.F. Muir	Mark 3:13-19
The Choosing of the Twelve	J.J. Given	Mark 3:13-19
The Need of Missionaries	E. Johnson	Mark 3:13-19
Christ and His Disciples	G. R. Leavitt.	Mark 3:13-21
Christ's Choice of His Helpers	C. S. Robinson, D. D.	Mark 3:13-21
Christ's Workers Varied	Anon.	Mark 3:13-21
God Employs Little and Lowly Apostles	Dr. Newton.	Mark 3:13-21
Power to Cast Out Devils	See, Wanderings in China, by C. F. Gordon Cumming.	Mark 3:13-21
The Ministerial Office	Quesnel.	Mark 3:13-21
The Twelve	W. F. Bishop.	Mark 3:13-21
The Twelve	J. R. Thomson, M. A.	Mark 3:13-21
This was the Third Stage in the Preparation of the Disciples for the Apostolate	H. M. Luckock, D. D.	Mark 3:13-21

People

Alphaeus, Andrew, Bartholomew, Beelzebub, Boanerges, Herodians, James, Jesus, John, Judas, Matthew, Peter, Philip, Simon, Thaddaeus, Thomas, Zabdi, Zebedee

Places

Capernaum, Galilee, Idumea, Jerusalem, Jordan River, Judea, Sea of Galilee, Sidon, Tyre

Topics

Boanerges, Bo-aner'ges, Brother, James, John, Names, Sons, Surname, Surnamed, Thunder, Zabdi, Zebedee, Zeb'edee

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Mark 3:17

     4852   thunder
     5043   names, significance
     5738   sons

Mark 3:13-19

6622 choice

Mark 3:14-19

6641 election, responsibilities
7944 ministry, qualifications

Mark 3:16-19

8370 zeal

Library

And Judas Iscariot
AND JUDAS ISCARIOT TEXT: "And Judas Iscariot."--Mark 3:19. There is something about the name of this miserable man which commands our attention at once. There is a sort of fascination about his wickedness, and when we read his story it is difficult to give it up until we have come to its awful end. It is rather significant, it would seem to me, that his name should come last in the list of the Apostles, and the text, "And Judas Iscariot," would suggest to me not only that his name was last, but …
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas Iscariot

'He is Beside Himself'
'And when His friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on Him: for they said, He is beside Himself'--Mark iii. 21. There had been great excitement in the little town of Capernaum in consequence of Christ's teachings and miracles. It had been intensified by His infractions of the Rabbinical Sabbath law, and by His appointment of the twelve Apostles. The sacerdotal party in Capernaum apparently communicated with Jerusalem, with the result of bringing a deputation from the Sanhedrim to look into …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Christ's Relations
'Whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is My brother, and My sister, and mother.'--Mark iii. 35. There was a conspiracy to seize Jesus because He is 'mad,' and Mary was in the plot! I. The example for us. (1) Of how all natural and human ties and affections are to be subordinated to doing God's will. Obedience to Him is the first and main thing to which everything else bows, and which determines everything. If others compete or interfere, reject them. Out of that common obedience new ties …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Anger and Grief of Jesus
He looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts.'--Mark iii. 5. Our Lord goes into the synagogue at Capernaum, where He had already wrought more than one miracle, and there He finds an object for His healing power, in a poor man with a withered hand; and also a little knot of His enemies. The scribes and Pharisees expect Christ to heal the man. So much had they learned of His tenderness and of His power. But their belief that He could work a miracle did not …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Mistakes of Christ's Foes and Friends
'And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth He out devils. 23. And He called them unto Him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? 24. And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26. And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end. 27. No man can enter into a strong man's …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Christ's Kindred
'There came then His brethren and His mother, and, standing without, sent unto Him, calling Him. 32. And the multitude sat about Him; and they said unto Him, Behold, Thy mother and Thy brethren without seek for Thee. 33. And He answered them, saying, Who is My mother, or My brethren? 34. And He looked round about on them which sat about Him, and said, Behold My mother and My brethren! 35. For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is My brother, and My sister, and mother.'--Mark iii. 31-35. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Ambassadors for Christ
'And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodlans against Him, how they might destroy Him. 7. But Jesus withdrew Himself with His disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed Him, and from Judaa 8. And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaa beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things He did, came unto Him. 9. And He spake to His disciples, that a small ship should wait on Him because of the multitude, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Necessity of Divine Influences. [*Continued]
Luke xi. 13.--"If ye, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him." In expounding the doctrine of these words, in the preceding discourse, the argument for the necessity of Divine influences had reference to the more general aspects of man's character and condition. We were concerned with the origin of seriousness in view of a future life, and the production of a sense of moral corruption and …
William G.T. Shedd—Sermons to the Natural Man

Jesus Angry with Hard Hearts
But I must not let imagination mislead me: they did nothing of the kind. Instead of this, they sat watching the Lord Jesus, not to be delighted by an act of his power, but to find somewhat of which they might accuse him. When all came to all, the utmost that they would be able to allege would be that he had healed a withered hand on the Sabbath. Overlooking the commendation due for the miracle of healing, they laid the emphasis upon its being done on the Sabbath; and held up their hands with horror …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 32: 1886

Mutual Help.
(Female Friendly Society.) S. MARK iii. 35. "Whosoever shall do the Will of God, the same is My brother, and My sister, and My mother." There are just two points which I want to put before you to-day. First, what you as Christian women ought to be. Secondly, how you can help each other to be so. On the first point I would ask you to remember the glory and dignity of womanhood. You get this dignity from Jesus Christ, who was born of a woman, and who said, "Whosoever shall do the Will of God, the …
H. J. Wilmot-Buxton—The Life of Duty, a Year's Plain Sermons, v. 2

The Eccentricity of Religion
"They said, He is beside Himself,"--MARK iii. 21. THE most pathetic life in the history of the world is the life of the Lord Jesus. Those who study it find out, every day, a fresh sorrow. Before He came it was already foretold that He would be acquainted with grief, but no imagination has ever conceived the darkness of the reality. It began with one of the bitterest kinds of sorrow--the sorrow of an enforced silence. For thirty years He saw, but dared not act. The wrongs He came to redress were there. …
Henry Drummond—The Ideal Life

The Hardening Operation of Love.
"Being grieved for the hardness of their heart."--Mark iii. 5. Love may also be reversed. Failing to cherish, to uplift, and to enrich, it consumes and destroys. This is a mystery which man can not fathom. It belongs to the unsearchable depths of the divine Being, of which we do not wish to know more than has been revealed. But this does not alter the fact. No creature can exclude itself from the divine control. No man can say that he has nothing to do with God; that he or any other creature exists …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Life and Character of John
"Volat avis sine meta, Quo nec votes nec propheta Evolavit altius: Tam implenda quam impleta, Numquam vidit tot secreta Purus homo purius. (Adam of St. Victor.) The Mission of John. Peter, the Jewish apostle of authority, and Paul, the Gentile apostle of freedom, had done their work on earth before the destruction of Jerusalem--had done it for their age and for all ages to come; had done it, and by the influence of their writings are doing it still, in a manner that can never be superseded. Both …
Philip Schaff—History of the Christian Church, Volume I

Whether the Sin against the Holy Ghost is the Same as the Sin Committed through Certain Malice?
Objection 1: It would seem that the sin against the Holy Ghost is not the same as the sin committed through certain malice. Because the sin against the Holy Ghost is the sin of blasphemy, according to Mat. 12:32. But not every sin committed through certain malice is a sin of blasphemy: since many other kinds of sin may be committed through certain malice. Therefore the sin against the Holy Ghost is not the same as the sin committed through certain malice. Objection 2: Further, the sin committed through …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Great Schism
If a house be divided against itself.--Mark iii, 25. From such a revival as that of the Great Awakening, parties must of necessity arise. Upon undisciplined fanaticism, the Established church must frown. But when it undertook to discipline large numbers of church members or whole churches, recognizedly within its embracing fold and within their lawful privileges, a great schism resulted, and the schismatics were sufficiently tenacious of their rights to come out victorious in their long contest for …
M. Louise Greene, Ph. D.—The Development of Religious Liberty in Connecticut

The Abrogation of the Saybrook Platform
That house cannot stand.--Mark iii, 25. The times change and we change with them.--Proverb. The omission of all persecuting acts from the revision of the laws in 1750 was evidence that the worst features of the great schism were passing, that public opinion as a whole had grown averse to any great severity toward the Separatists as dissenters. But the continuance in the revised statutes of the Saybrook Platform as the legalized constitution of the "Presbyterian, Congregational or Consociated Church," …
M. Louise Greene, Ph. D.—The Development of Religious Liberty in Connecticut

The Apostle Judas
"And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed Him." MARK 3:19 (R.V.) THE evidential value of what has been written about the apostles will, to some minds, seem to be overborne by the difficulties which start up at the name of Judas. And yet the fact that Jesus chose him -- that awful fact which has offended many -- is in harmony with all that we see around us, with the prodigious powers bestowed upon Napoleon and Voltaire, bestowed in full knowledge of the dark results, yet given because the issues of …
G. A. Chadwick—The Gospel of St. Mark

The Withered Hand
"And He entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had his hand withered. And they watched Him, whether He would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse Him. And He saith unto the man that had his hand withered, Stand forth. And He saith unto them, Is it lawful on the sabbath day to do good or to do harm? to save a life, or to kill? But they held their peace. And when He had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their heart, He …
G. A. Chadwick—The Gospel of St. Mark

Characteristics of the Twelve
"And He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach, and to have authority to cast out devils: and Simon He surnamed Peter; and James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and them He surnamed Boanerges, which is, Sons of thunder; and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeaus, and Simon the Cananean, and Judas Iscariot which also betrayed Him." MARK 3:14-19 (R.V.) THE pictures …
G. A. Chadwick—The Gospel of St. Mark

Christ and Beelzebub
"And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. And when his friends heard it, they went out to lay hold on Him: for they said, He is beside Himself. And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and, By the prince of the devils casteth He out the devils. And He called them unto Him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if an house be …
G. A. Chadwick—The Gospel of St. Mark

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