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.

See also James (Person); John, The Apostle.