BOANERGES*

Name meaning “sons of thunder” given by Jesus to James and John, Zebedee’s sons (Mk 3:17). Its derivation is uncertain. The name may have referred to the volatile personalities of the two brothers (Lk 9:54), to their possible revolutionary past as Zealots, or even to a “thundering” style of speech.

See also James (Person); John, The Apostle.