"Boanerges,"—"sons of thunder," seems to imply a degree of decided boldness, and a fiery energy, not exactly accordant with the usual opinions of the characters of the sons of Zebedee; but it is an expression in the most perfect harmony with the few details of the conduct of both, which are given in the New Testament.
Boanerges.—This word is one, whose composition and derivation, (as is the case
with many other New Testament proper names,) have caused great discussion and
difference of opinion among the learned. It occurs only in Mark iii. 17, where it is
incidentally mentioned in the list of the apostles, as a new name given to the sons
of Zebedee by Jesus. Those who are curious, can find all the discussion in any critical
commentator on the passage. Poole's Synopsis, in one heavy folio column and
half of another, gives a complete view of all the facts and speculations concerning
this matter, up to his time; the amount of all which, seems to be, that, as the word
now stands, it very nearly sets all etymologies at defiance,—whether Hebrew, Syriac,
Chaldee or Arabic,—since it is impossible to say how the word should be resolved
into two parts, one of which should mean "sons," and the other "thunder;" so that
it is well for us we have Mark's explanation of the name, since without it, the critics
would probably have never found either "son" or "thunder" in the word. As to
the reason of the name's being appropriated to James and John, conjectures equally
numerous and various may be found in the same learned work; but all equally unsatisfactory.
Lampe also is very full on this point. (Prol. in. Joh. cap I. lib. ii. §§ 9-15.
HIS FAMILY AND CALL.
Of the first introduction of this apostle to Jesus, it may be reasonably conjectured, that he formed an acquaintance with him at the same time with his brother John and the sons of Jonah, as already commemorated in the former lives, from the brief record in the first chapter of John's gospel. After this, he and his brother, as well as Peter and Andrew, returned quietly to their honest business of fishing on the lake of Gennesaret, on whose shore, no doubt, was their home,—perhaps too, in Bethsaida or Capernaum, as their intimacy and fellowship with the sons of Jonah would seem to imply a vicinity of residence; though their common occupation might bring them frequently together in circumstances where friendly assistance was mutually needed; and the idea of their residence in some other of the numerous villages along the northern end of the lake, on either side, is not inconsistent with any circumstance specified in their history. In their occupation of fishing, they were accompanied by their father Zebedee, who it seems, was not so far advanced in years as to be unable to aid his sons in this very laborious and dangerous business; which makes it quite apparent that James and John being the sons of so active a man, must themselves have but just attained manhood, at the time when they are first mentioned. Respecting the character of this brisk old gentleman, unfortunately very few data indeed are preserved; and the vagueness of the impression made by his
