BOANERGES ( Mark 3:17 ), ‘Sons of Thunder.’ The Master’s appellation of James and John. Jerome takes it as a reference to their fiery eloquence. Others derive it rather from their fiery disposition in early days (cf. Luke 9:52-56 ). It would thus be a playful yet serious sobriquet, constantly reminding them of their besetting sin and warning them to overcome it.
David Smith.