Thunder

“Tension builds among the disciples as they wrestle with the increasing fame of Jesus in Samaria. Jesus rebukes Big James and John for their prejudice and, after a near-violent encounter, gives them a new nickname.”

Scriptures

Luke 9:51-56, Mark 3:17, and 1 more

1. Luke 9:51-56

   James and John want to call down fire from heaven against some Samaritans that reject Jesus. Jesus rebukes them.

   1. 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,
   2. 52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.
   3. 53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.
   4. 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?
   5. 55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
   6. 56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

2. Mark 3:17

   Jesus called James and John "the sons of thunder."

   1. And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:

3. John 4:39-42

   The Samaritans believe Jesus' teaching at Sychar, at first because of the testimony of the woman at the well, and then because they hear His word for themselves.

   1. 39 ¶ And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.
   2. 40 So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.
   3. 41 And many more believed because of his own word;
   4. 42 And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.