Mark 3:17 (BSB)
James son of Zebedee and his brother John (whom He named Boanerges, meaning “Sons of Thunder”),
Commentary on Mark 3:17
- Matthew Henry (Presbyterian), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on Mark 3:13-21: In these verses, we have, I. The choice Christ made of the twelve apostles to be his constant followers and attendants, and to be sent abroad as there was occasion, to preach the gospel. Observe, 1. The introduction to this call or promotion of disciples; He goes up into a mountain, and his errand thither was to pray.
- John Gill (Reformed Baptist), Exposition of the Old and New Testaments on Mark 3:17: And Andrew,.... The brother of Peter; and Philip, who was of Bethsaida; and Bartholomew, whom Dr. Lightfoot thinks is the same with Nathaniel: the name may be the same with , "Bar Talmion", with the Jews (y); See Gill on Mat 10:3. See Gill on Joh 1:41.
- Albert Barnes (Presbyterian), Barnes' New Testament Notes on Mark 3:17: Verse 17. Boanerges. This word is made up of two Hebrew words, signifying sons of thunder; meaning that they, on some accounts. resembled thunder. . It is not known why this name was given to James and John. They are nowhere else called by it. Some suppose it was because they wished to call down fire from heaven, and consume a certain village of the Samaritans, .
- Adam Clarke (Methodist), Clarke's Commentary on the Bible on Mark 3:17: Sons of thunder - A Hebraism for thunderers; probably so named because of their zeal and power in preaching the Gospel. The term Boanerges is neither Hebrew nor Syriac. Calmet and others think that there is reason to believe that the Greek transcribers have not copied it exactly.