Mark 3 17

Mark 3:17 kjv

And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:

Mark 3:17 nkjv

James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom He gave the name Boanerges, that is, "Sons of Thunder";

Mark 3:17 niv

James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means "sons of thunder"),

Mark 3:17 esv

James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder);

Mark 3:17 nlt

James and John (the sons of Zebedee, but Jesus nicknamed them "Sons of Thunder" ),

Mark 3 verses

Mark 3 17 Meaning

Mark 3:17 identifies two of Jesus' chosen apostles, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, by a unique surname given to them by Jesus Himself: Boanerges, which translates to "Sons of Thunder." This name signifies their intense, passionate, and potentially volatile temperament, while also foreshadowing the powerful and authoritative nature of their future ministry in proclaiming God's truth.

Mark 3 17 Context

Mark 3:17 is situated within a pivotal passage (Mark 3:13-19) detailing Jesus' appointment of His twelve apostles. After spending the previous chapters healing, teaching, and engaging in controversies, Jesus withdraws to a mountain to specifically select this core group of disciples whom He intends to send out to preach and cast out demons (Mark 3:14-15). The selection of the twelve signifies the re-establishment of the twelve tribes of Israel, indicating a new covenant community. In this list, Jesus identifies James and John by their familial relationship to Zebedee and then uniquely assigns them the moniker "Boanerges," indicating a deep insight into their character and a specific purpose for their future roles. Culturally, while a common Jewish practice was for students to be called by their father's name or place of origin, a rabbi conferring a significant nickname was less common, underscoring Jesus' authority and prophetic insight.

Mark 3 17 Word analysis

• and James (καὶ Ἰάκωβον - kai Iakōbon):
  • καὶ (kai): "and," linking this apostle to the preceding ones, indicating continuation.
  • Ἰάκωβον (Iakōbon): Greek form of the Hebrew name Jacob, a common name, meaning "supplanter" or "holder of the heel." James was a key disciple, later the first apostle to be martyred (Acts 12:2).
• the son of Zebedee (τὸν τοῦ Ζεβεδαίου - ton tou Zebedaiou):
  • τὸν (ton): "the," definite article.
  • τοῦ Ζεβεδαίου (tou Zebedaiou): "of Zebedee," denoting paternal lineage. Zebedee was a fisherman, indicating a humble background. This common identifier places James in his known family context before Jesus' re-naming.
• and John (καὶ Ἰωάννην - kai Iōannēn):
  • καὶ (kai): "and," linking John with his brother.
  • Ἰωάννην (Iōannēn): Greek form of the Hebrew name "Yochanan," meaning "Yahweh is gracious" or "God is gracious." John, often identified as "the beloved disciple," became a prolific writer (Gospel of John, 1-3 John, Revelation).
• the brother of James (τὸν ἀδελφὸν Ἰακώβου - ton adelphon Iakōbou):
  • τὸν ἀδελφὸν (ton adelphon): "the brother," emphasizing their sibling relationship, highlighting their close bond and shared journey. This reinforces their identity as a pair.
• to whom he gave the name (ὃς ἐπέθηκεν αὐτοῖς ὄνομα - hos epetheken autois onoma):
  • ὃς (hos): "who," referring back to Jesus.
  • ἐπέθηκεν (epetheken): From epitithēmi, "to put upon, impose, or confer." This signifies Jesus' authority and intention in assigning the name. It is an act of sovereign power, bestowing identity and potential.
  • αὐτοῖς (autois): "to them," referring to both James and John.
  • ὄνομα (onoma): "name." This is a significant act in biblical tradition, indicating a new identity or prophetic declaration (cf. Abram to Abraham, Simon to Peter).
• Boanerges (Βοανηργές - Boanērges):
  • This is a Greek transliteration of an Aramaic phrase, not Greek.
  • Its precise Aramaic origin is debated but widely accepted to derive from Bnē-regaz (sons of rage/noise) or Bnē-regash (sons of commotion/uproar) or Bnē-rgshā (sons of thunder).
  • The ending "-ges" may be a corruption or regional variant. Regardless, its meaning is explicitly given in the text.
• which means (ὅ ἐστιν μεθερμηνευόμενον - ho estin methermēneuomenon):
  • ὅ ἐστιν (ho estin): "which is," clearly indicating the following is an explanation or translation.
  • μεθερμηνευόμενον (methermēneuomenon): From methermēneuō, meaning "to interpret" or "to translate." This shows that Mark is providing a necessary explanation for his predominantly Greek-speaking audience who would not understand Aramaic.
• Sons of Thunder (Υἱοὶ Βροντῆς - Huioi Brontēs):
  • Υἱοὶ (Huioi): "Sons of." The construct "sons of X" is a Semitic idiom used to denote character or destiny, indicating belonging, characteristic, or inherent quality (e.g., "sons of destruction" = destructive people, "sons of light" = people who walk in light).
  • Βροντῆς (Brontēs): "Thunder." This word for "thunder" often signifies divine power, authority, judgment, and overwhelming might in both Greek and biblical contexts (e.g., Ps 29, Job 37, Rev 6:1, 10:3, 14:2, 19:6).

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James: This pairing emphasizes their fraternal bond and their joint identity even before receiving a new name from Jesus. Their shared origin likely contributed to their similar temperament and ambition, as seen in their request for honored positions (Mk 10:35-37).
• to whom he gave the name Boanerges: This phrase highlights Jesus' divine authority. Only God, or one acting with God's authority, gives significant names in the Bible. It shows Jesus' complete understanding of His disciples' inner nature and His sovereign right to define them, not merely acknowledge them. It is an act of commissioning.
• Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder: The provided interpretation is crucial. It directly informs the reader of the nickname's meaning and purpose. This isn't just a descriptive label but a prophetic insight into their inherent disposition and their future calling. "Sons of Thunder" can carry dual implications: a recognition of their passionate, impulsive, and sometimes judgmental nature (e.g., wanting to call down fire on a Samaritan village in Lk 9:54); and a prophetic foresight into their powerful, bold, and authoritative preaching of the Gospel. They would deliver God’s "thunderous" message.

Mark 3 17 Bonus section

The specific choice of the Aramaic transliteration "Boanerges" over a direct Greek word might signify that this nickname was genuinely used by Jesus and preserved in the oral tradition, thus having a strong historical anchor. Its preservation by Mark underscores its importance. Furthermore, some scholars link "thunder" not only to loudness or intensity but to apocalyptic or prophetic speech, implying that James and John would become powerful heralds of God's final word. While James's ministry was cut short by martyrdom (Acts 12:2), John had a long and impactful ministry, producing a Gospel and Revelation—a book filled with the "thunderous" declarations of God's ultimate victory. Thus, the name "Sons of Thunder" truly points to the forceful and impactful nature of their prophetic witness.

Mark 3 17 Commentary

The naming of James and John as "Boanerges, Sons of Thunder" by Jesus is rich with theological and practical significance. It reveals Jesus' profound understanding of human character; He saw beyond their present imperfections to their potential for powerful ministry. The moniker could be both a recognition of their fiery, zealous, and somewhat impetuous disposition (seen in their ambition for pre-eminence and their desire to call down fire), and a prophetic indication of the authority and impact their future proclamation of the Gospel would possess. Just as thunder often accompanies a storm, signifying God's majestic power, judgment, and divine voice in scripture (Psa 29; Job 37), so too would James and John be instruments of powerful, God-ordained speech.

This name isn't necessarily a condemnation but a transformative label. Jesus doesn't suppress their inherent intensity but re-channels it for His divine purposes. He takes their natural human traits—perhaps their passionate zeal, even their tendency towards ambition—and repurposes them into tools for His kingdom, where zeal for God and bold proclamation are vital. It serves as a reminder that God can use the very qualities we deem flaws or challenging to advance His glorious plan. For instance, John, who was one of the "Sons of Thunder," became known as the "apostle of love," showing that while their zealous nature remained, it was refined and directed by the Spirit. James too, despite his early impulsiveness, became a foundational pillar of the early church. This demonstrates Jesus' ability not only to call men but to reshape their identity and purpose.