👉 And James the [son] of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down that verse from Mark 3:17. It's a really interesting one! Here’s what it means in simple terms: Basically, Jesus is telling his disciples to call them something different – “Boaner” – to emphasize their importance and authority. Let’s unpack it further: “And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James…” : This establishes that we're talking about two of Jesus’ closest followers – James and John. “…and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:” This is the key part. “Surnamed” means to give a new name. So, Jesus isn’t just naming them; he's giving them a new title that reflects their special role. What does "Boaner" mean? The word “boaner” comes from an Old Testament phrase meaning “a son of thunder.” It suggests these men were bold, strong, and perhaps even intimidating. It implies they possessed a powerful spirit. So, what's the significance? Jesus is saying that these two men are now special because of their position and authority. He’s elevating them to something more significant than just being followers. It suggests he sees them as having a divine quality or an elevated status within his ministry. In short, Jesus is giving them a new name – “Boaner” – to show them they are valued and important. --- Do you want me to: Explain why this verse might be significant in the Bible? Give you some context about what was happening at the time?
