Boanerges

December 23, 2008 in Cosmology | 13 comments

A few years ago, I came across an intriguing reference to Boanerges. Mark’s gospel records that the Savior called twelve disciples:

And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder (Mark 3:17).

Here is the reference that captured my attention:

In the Gospel of Mark III.17, the “twins” James and John, the sons of Zebedee, are given by Jesus the name of Boanerges, which the Evangelist explains as meaning “Sons of Thunder.” This was long overlooked but eventually became the title of a work by a distinguished scholar, too soon forgotten, Rendel Harris. Here the Thunder Twins were shown to exist in cultures as different as Greece, Scandinavia and Peru. They call to mind the roles of Magni and Modi, not actually called twins, but successors of Thor, in Ragnarök. But to quote from Harris:

James and John surnamed BoanergesWe have shown that it does not necessarily follow that when the parenthood of the Thunder is recognised, it necessarily extends to both of the twins. The Dioscuri may be called unitedly, Sons of Zeus; but a closer investigation shows conclusively that there was a tendency in the early Greek cults to regard one twin as of divine parentage, and the other of human. Thus Castor is credited to Tyndareus, Pollux to Zeus . . . The extra child made the trouble, and was credited to an outside source. Only later will the difficulty of discrimination lead to the recognition of both as Sky-boys or Thunder-boys. An instance from a remote civilization will show that this is the right view to take.

For example, Arriaga, in his Extirpation of Idolatry in Peru tells us that “when two children are produced at one birth, which they call Chuchos or Curi, and in el Cuzco Taqui Hua-hua, they hold it for an impious and abominable occurrence, and they say, that one of them is the child of the Lightning, and require a severe penance, as if they had committed a great sin.”

And it is interesting to note that when the Peruvians, of whom Arriaga speaks, became Christians, they replaced the name of Son of Thunder, given to one of the twins, by the name of Santiago, having learnt from their Spanish (missionary) teachers that St. James (Santiago) and St. John had been called Sons of Thunder by our Lord, a phrase which these Peruvian Indians seem to have understood, where the great commentators of the Christian Church had missed the meaning . . .

Another curious and somewhat similar transfer of the language of the Marcan story in the folk-lore of a people, distant both in time and place. . . will be found, even at the present day, amongst the Danes . . . Besides the conventional flint axes and celts, which commonly pass as thunder-missiles all over the world, the Danes regard the fossil sea-urchin as a thunderstone, and give it a peculiar name. Such stones are named in Salling, sebedaei-stones or s’bedaei; in North Salling they are called sepadeje-stones. In Norbaek, in the district of Viborg, the peasantry called them Zebedee stones! At Jebjerg, in the parish of Cerum, district of Randers, they called them sebedei-stones . . . The name that is given to these thunderstones is, therefore, very well established, and it seems certain that it is derived from the reference to the Sons of Zebedee in the Gospel as sons of thunder. The Danish peasant, like the Peruvian savage, recognised at once what was meant by Boanerges, and called his thunderstone after its patron saint.1

Most sources tend to translate the name Boanerges – or “sons of thunder” – to mean that James and John were intense followers of the Lord.2 And after reviewing the material in the New Testament, I could see how some came to that conclusion.

But as I reviewed Mr. Rendel J. Harris’ book on the Boanerges, I wondered if there was more to the fact that the Lord specifically called James and John by that name title. Perhaps it has something to do with that singular revelation about Peter, James, and John in D&C 7?

Sources:

  1. de Santillana, Giorgio and Hertha von Dechend. Hamlet’s Mill. Phoenix and Turtle. 225-226. 21 December 2008. They quote Harris, Rendel J. Boanerges. Cambridge: University Press, 1913. 9ff. For a PDF version, see Boanerges at the Internet Archive. See also the post Belemnites and Thunderstones for a possible explanation of these thunderstones.↩
  2. See, for example the LDS Bible Dictionary entry on Boanerges.↩

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  1. David LarsenNo Gravatar on January 2, 2009 at 12:14 pm

    Greg,

    I really liked your post. Very insightful. I really do think there is more to the title “Boanerges” than we generally realize. I wish I knew more on the topic than I do, and could give you some more helpful comments.

    One important idea is the “successors of Thor” comment in the quote you use. Thor is virtually the equivalent of Zeus, Jupiter, Baal, and Yahweh. This is the Divine Son of the Father or Most High God. The Son rules as King in the Father’s place. The Son is the God of Thunder/Lightning and rides through the skies on the clouds. It is the same imagery throughout so many ancient cultures. Yahweh/Jehovah is depicted in much the same way.

    I have never really looked into it, and the twin idea seems to be an important part of the tradition, but Jesus did many things that are in line with more ancient tradition. Jesus calming the waters at the Sea (its really a lake) of Galilee is strongly reminiscent of Yahweh and Baal conquering the “sea” or waters of chaos. Depending on how you look at it, the early Christians either told the events of Jesus’ life in a way that matched up with ancient religious beliefs, or ancient beliefs foreshadowed what Jesus would do in his life. Or, history has a very interesting way of repeating itself. Whatever you choose to believe, Jesus definitely fit the picture of what the ancients believed the Son of God should be and do.

    Your article is very interesting and I think more research into this topic could be very fruitful. James and John as sons of thunder could very likely be a reference to their status as sons of Yahweh, having become the spiritual sons of Christ. Also, your mention of D&C 7 was great–the “successors” of Jesus take on some of his characteristics–flaming fire, etc.

    Thanks, Greg, for this insightful commentary. I had never come across this idea before.

  2. GregNo Gravatar on January 4, 2009 at 8:54 pm

    Hi David – Thanks for reviewing this article. When I first read about the name title Boanerges, for some reason it just stood out as having additional meaning.

    I really appreciate your comments and especially the one about “ancient tradition[s].” These traditions are scattered all throughout ancient scripture and seem to provide rich additional context. Also, your comment about James and John becoming spiritual sons of the Savior is significant since this is a doctrine found in latter-day scriptures.

    I guess my reference to D&C 7 is in harmony with some of Mr. Harris’ research, but there are other concepts expressed in his work on Boanerges that I don’t yet understand or simply don’t agree with.

    In any case, thanks for taking a look at this post. If you ever do come across anything related, please let me know.

  3. David LarsenNo Gravatar on January 6, 2009 at 2:23 pm

    In some notes that I’m reviewing for a post on my blog, I noticed a passage that is somewhat relevant to the discussion here.

    Luke 9:51-56 51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, 52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. 53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? 55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. 56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

    Very interesting that James and John believed they could call down fire from heaven — very fitting for the Boanerges brothers!

  4. GregNo Gravatar on January 6, 2009 at 5:01 pm

    Thanks David. This is one of the references which I had in mind above. But now that you point it out (Luke 9:51-56), I find it significant that this event occurred after the events on the Mount of Transfiguration (Luke 9:28-36) at which Elias (Elijah) was present. You may just have brought to light additional insight into the name title Boanerges than at first suspected.

  5. Anthony LarsonNo Gravatar on January 10, 2009 at 10:55 am

    In the apocryphal “Book of Jasher” the sons of Jacob (Israel) are said to have caused thunder and earthquakes with their voices. These and the sources you cite are certaintly mythic (as in mythos) examples, probably connected to same referents as you cited, Thor, Baal, Yahweh, Zeus, Jupiter, Mars and Saturn, all said to be gods of thunder and lightning. That these were, from the earliest sources, planetary gods, there is no dispute among scholars. It’s the very basic meaning of ‘theophany,’ God’s speech. It was with his ‘speech’ or creative “word” that he uttered the cosmos into being, according to the earliest sources. That speech is literally the “name” of god, heard by all mankind ancient. It’s why we’re given a new name, in similitude of that creative act, something only a god could do.

    You may wish to read my monograph “The Name of God” on my blog for more information related to this subject.

  6. GregNo Gravatar on January 11, 2009 at 10:06 pm

    Hi Anthony. Thanks for reviewing this. I think there is significance to the idea that “these were, from the earliest sources, planetary gods.” Based on my observation, many seem to discount this idea.

    In a future post I hope to post some links that point this way and will include your monographs where appropriate. Thanks again.

  7. StoneNo Gravatar on December 13, 2010 at 3:19 pm

    I love your ideas on Boanerges (sons of thunder). I think you hit the nail right on the head. In fact I think that James and John were Avatar. I know, it may sounds crazy at first, but I think that Jesus gave James, John and Peter the “Living Water” (Ormus)! Masters of the elements. ;-) ladi

  8. gregoNo Gravatar on February 14, 2011 at 7:21 pm

    It’s interesting that Jesus gave names to Peter, James, and John.

    Perhaps more to think about:

    Exodus 19:16 ¶And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.

    1 Samuel 2:10 The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.

    1 Samuel 7:10 And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the Lord thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel.

    2 Samuel 22:14 The Lord thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice.

    Job 40:9 Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?

    Psalms 77:18 The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.

    Psalms 104:7 At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.

    John 12:29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it (Heavenly Father’s voice), said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.

    Doctrine and Covenants 133:21 And [Jesus] shall utter his voice out of Zion, and he shall speak from Jerusalem, and his voice shall be heard among all people;
    22 And it shall be a voice as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder, which shall break down the mountains, and the valleys shall not be found.

    Doctrine and Covenants 43:21 For if I, who am a man, do lift up my voice and call upon you to repent, and ye hate me, what will ye say when the day cometh when the thunders shall utter their voices from the ends of the earth, speaking to the ears of all that live, saying—Repent, and prepare for the great day of the Lord?

    Doctrine and Covenants 133:22 And it shall be a voice as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder, which shall break down the mountains, and the valleys shall not be found.

  9. GregNo Gravatar on February 14, 2011 at 8:56 pm

    Thanks for the quotes Grego – much more to contemplate, that’s for sure.

  10. TonyNo Gravatar on February 15, 2011 at 1:35 am

    I don’t wanna say to much but I have another theory on “Boanerges”. I believe that they were intence believers in Yahushua’s theachings. Boanerges were avatar and Zeus is Adam builder of the second city on earth Susa. Cain built the first city on earth Uruk or Enoch.

  11. gregoNo Gravatar on February 16, 2011 at 5:22 pm

    “The extra child made the trouble, and was credited to an outside source. Only later will the difficulty of discrimination lead to the recognition of both as Sky-boys or Thunder-boys.”

    …“when two children are produced at one birth… they say, that one of them is the child of the Lightning, and require a severe penance, as if they had committed a great sin.”

    “Perhaps it has something to do with that singular revelation about Peter, James, and John in Doctrine And Covenants 7?”

    ? Is this what you were getting at: I was thinking after I read the first two quotes about the twins and the “penance” required of the second-born–and here John, the second-born, pays his penance by sticking around for 2,000 years, while James go off…

  12. Follower of ChristNo Gravatar on February 27, 2012 at 12:43 am

    I am a little concerned because my faith is in the Word and Power of God, but it seems that from after reading this article that it could be quite possible that someone who doesn’t know the word may be lead astray by the opinions presented and also misinterpretation of the word of God through incorporating secular idealism’s that are suggested to run parallel with the text.
    My small suggestion is that when taking into account the Word of God, we as Humans may have our own personal perceptions and opinions, but if We pray, believe and ask God to reveal His true discernment and clarity of His Word ( i.e. biblical accounts, events, persons) to our hearts, minds, and spirits,… letting this Mind be in You that was also in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5),… we will avoid fallen into the spectrum of believing what is considered worldly superficial or even mythical idealism’s. Seek ye first the Kingdom of GOD and His Righteousness and all these things shall be added unto You (Matthew 6:33), Trust in the Lord with all your Heart and Lean Not on Your Own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6) Put God First! We need to stop trying to define/ solve or figure out what all these things are in a fleshly worldly state and start establishing a definite Spiritual, Holy, Righteous walk with Christ(GOD) allowing the Holy Spirit to Guide Our thoughts, in doing so we will receive the proper discernment of this canonical collection of books called the Bible. . GOD is Spirit and those who Worship Him must Worship Him in Spirit and in Truth (John 4:24). I hope someone is blessed, exhorted, and inspired to seek God’s face fervently for the true desired answers of His Word! Love, Peace and Blessings…

  13. GregNo Gravatar on February 29, 2012 at 5:56 pm

    Thank you Follower – good advice!

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