Topical Bible: Revenge: James and John

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Revenge, a response to perceived wrongs or injustices, is a theme that appears throughout the Bible, often contrasted with the call for forgiveness and love. In the New Testament, the actions and attitudes of James and John, two of Jesus' closest disciples, provide a notable example of the human inclination towards revenge and the transformative teachings of Christ.

James and John: The Sons of Thunder

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were among the first disciples called by Jesus (Mark 1:19-20). Known for their fervent zeal, they were given the nickname "Boanerges," meaning "Sons of Thunder" (Mark 3:17). This moniker reflects their passionate and sometimes impetuous nature, which is vividly illustrated in an incident recorded in the Gospel of Luke.

The Samaritan Village Incident

In Luke 9:51-56, as Jesus set His face toward Jerusalem, He sent messengers ahead to a Samaritan village to prepare for His arrival. However, the villagers did not welcome Him because His destination was Jerusalem. In response to this rejection, James and John asked, "Lord, do You want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?" (Luke 9:54). This request echoes the actions of the prophet Elijah, who called down fire from heaven in 2 Kings 1:10-12.

Their desire for retribution highlights a natural human tendency to seek revenge when wronged or rejected. However, Jesus rebuked them, saying, "You do not know what kind of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy the lives of men, but to save them" (Luke 9:55-56). This response underscores the mission of Christ, which is not to exact vengeance but to offer salvation and grace.

Transformation Through Christ

The rebuke from Jesus served as a pivotal moment for James and John, illustrating the transformative power of Christ's teachings. Over time, their understanding of power and authority was reshaped by the example of Jesus, who taught that greatness in the kingdom of God is measured by servanthood and humility (Mark 10:42-45).

James, the elder of the two brothers, would later become the first apostle to be martyred, as recorded in Acts 12:2. His willingness to lay down his life for the Gospel reflects a profound transformation from a desire for revenge to a commitment to the sacrificial love exemplified by Christ.

John, often referred to as the "disciple whom Jesus loved" (John 13:23), became a prominent leader in the early church and the author of several New Testament writings. His epistles emphasize love, forgiveness, and the rejection of hatred, encapsulating the lessons learned from his time with Jesus. In 1 John 4:7-8, he writes, "Beloved, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love" .

Conclusion

The account of James and John serves as a powerful reminder of the human propensity for revenge and the transformative power of Christ's teachings. Through their journey with Jesus, they learned to replace vengeance with love, embodying the call to be peacemakers and ambassadors of Christ's message of reconciliation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 9:54
And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, will you that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

John the Beloved
... He and his brother were called "sons of thunder." Evil temper, the desire for revenge,
the spirit of criticism, were all in ... James and John especially were ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 53 john the beloved.htm

Index.
... James and John, sons of Zebedee, 164, 347. ... Passover, but one in synoptical Gospels,
three in John, 155; first, 168; second, 217; last, 345. ... Revenge, 234. ...
/.../neander/the life of jesus christ in its historical connexion/index 2.htm

"He Ordained Twelve"
... Peter, James, and John stood in still nearer relationship ... Even John, who came into
closest association with ... Evil temper, revenge, the spirit of criticism, were ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 30 he ordained twelve.htm

Christ Crucified
... to Israel and her monarch, that he saw the way to a petty revenge. ... last ingredient
of human cruelty was infused into the cup which James and John had once ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 15 21-32 christ crucified.htm

C. The Third Period. Chs. 6:12 to 8:56
... First then, in place of all revenge, vs.27-30, Jesus established the Golden Rule ...
not any man to enter in with him, save Peter, and John, and James, and the ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/c the third period chs.htm

The Life of Mr. James Guthrie.
... and personal pique, as the marquis's was said to be to a more exalted revenge; and
it ... Mr. Arthur Forbes, Mr. John Guthrie, Mr. Hugh Walker, Mr. James Cowie. ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr james 3.htm

Acts XII
... 5. We have noticed that when Peter and John were dismissed from the ... 255] Now that
James has been ... prayer, there is no passion, no thirst for revenge, or purpose ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xii.htm

Our Lord in the Garden
... And He taketh with Him Peter and James and John ... John Knox took his wife and said
to her, "Read to me that Scripture on ... Most noble Caesar, we'll revenge His death ...
//christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/xi our lord in the.htm

The Conversion of Paul.
... cured and baptized"not by Peter or James or John ... more logical and theological
commentator than John Calvin ... failing in his purpose, he took revenge and attacked ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 31 the conversion of.htm

Christ Crucified and Buried.
... He had been frustrated and galled; and he took his revenge by flashing the ... think
otherwise and suppose that Salome, the mother of James and John, is the ...
/.../the new testament commentary vol iii john/christ crucified and buried.htm