That’s a different word – what does it mean? Well here it is used in the Bible in the book of Mark describing the twelve which is where it started.
Mark 3:16-18 New International Version (NIV)
16 These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot
Meaning- (used with a singular verb) a vociferous preacher or orator
You don’t get a nickname like Sons of Thunder for no reason. But that is how Jesus’ disciples, James and John, were known. They were passionate—amazing, colorful characters. They would not back away from a confrontation. In fact, they might even have looked forward to one. They could be very aggressive. And they also could be very insensitive.
On one occasion, when the people in a village of Samaria were not responsive to the message of Jesus, it was James and John who wanted to call down fire from heaven on them (see Luke 9:54). But God transformed them. And at the end of their lives, these men, who were known as Sons of Thunder, became known for something else. James was the first apostle to be martyred. And John became known as the apostle of love. He was the author of the Gospel of John as well as the epistles of 1, 2, and 3 John. God made James and John into different people than they were before—and He can do the same for us.
Luke 9:51-55 Samaritan Opposition 51 As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; 53 but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” 55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them. 56 Then he and his disciples went to another village.
That thunder, I believe, was the reason Jesus picked them. He needed some step up and step out types in his crew, Men that were not afraid to ruffle a few feathers for the worthy cause. Balance is the key and I think it was so with the 12 as well. Jesus hand picked them for the things they could bring to the party and then moving forward what they could say or show to others. They would need strength and passion for the challenges that would come after He died and rose to Heaven, they would also need love and logic. They would be left to create the church to spread the word and keep Jesus name alive and living in the hearts of His people. Knowing that of the twelve all but one died horrible deaths according to my readings. That one was John, Oh he was boiled in oil but he survived that and died of old age.
These men were indeed passionate about Jesus and what he stood / stands for. They must have had infinite patience to endure the negatives in that day, not to mention those who would not even listen to them for fear of being persecuted. They too were subject to being persecuted, I was watching the movie Paul – The Apostle of Christ – in this movie they talked about Roman Candles (a term I’ve heard many times before but never gave thought to meaning) which in that day was a Christian (a believer) doused in oil and staked to a pillar then set on fire, this was how the streets were lit in the day. A burning person because they believed in Jesus is what lights up the streets of Rome. I can’t even imagine seeing that in person, it was certainly horrible enough in the movie and that was just a movie. With the thought of that being your end how must they have stressed about growing the church. I think the passion these men had would have sustained them and then again I can see how it might have been to them a curse. There are certain things we can assume about the apostles and I, for one, assume they might have been afraid at times but they did not let the fear clobber their faith. That faith was food to the hungry. They trusted Jesus when He told them what they needed to do, how they should believe.
Today we admire the Sons of Thunder, I know I do. The passion, the drive, the willingness to face certain death for a cause you genuinely believe in.
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for Jesus, thank You for sending Him. Thank You for His ministry and sacrifice. Thank You for His wisdom in choosing those who would spread the word in His Name. We are so grateful for Him and them. Amen