Bible Strands
Mark 3:17
James son of Zebedee and his brother John (whom He named Boanerges, meaning “Sons of Thunder”),
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Gospel narrator records Jesus designating two apostles during the formal commissioning of the Twelve in Galilee.
The words — The text uses καὶ (kai) = and to join James to his brother John (Ἰωάννην / Iōannēn), then records Jesus applying the title Boanerges to both.
The thread — Jesus later restricts access to key moments to this same pair alongside Peter in Mark 5:37 and 14:33.
Why it lands — The passage requires the reader to recognize that Jesus personally defines the identity and mission of his chosen representatives.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:
Cross-references
- Jeremiah 23:29 “Is not My word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that smashes a rock?”
- Mark 5:37 And He did not allow anyone to accompany Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.
- Mark 14:33 He took with Him Peter, James, and John, and began to be deeply troubled and distressed.
- Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
- Isaiah 58:1 “Cry aloud, do not hold back! Raise your voice like a ram’s horn. Declare to My people their transgression and to the house of Jacob their sins.
- Mark 1:19 Going on a little farther, He saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat, mending their nets.
- Mark 9:2 After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them.
- Mark 10:35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and declared, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.”
- John 21:2 Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.
- John 21:20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them. He was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper to ask, “Lord, who is going to betray You?”