Luke 9:54

James and John. See on Mark 3:17. These two brothers were the messengers sent ahead to make arrangements (see DA 487), and the harsh treatment they had received at the hands of the villagers rankled in their hearts. James and John apparently possessed a hot temper, a characteristic that earlier had led Christ to name them “sons of thunder” (see on Mark 3:17). Not long before this John had taken it upon himself to administer a stern rebuke to one whom he considered an enemy (see on Mark 9:38-41).

Command fire. Within sight of Mt. Carmel (see DA 487), the thoughts of the disciples naturally went back to the stern measures taken by the prophet Elijah in dealing with the unrepentant people of his day (see 1 Kings 18:17-46). Perhaps they recalled, also, the occasion when Elijah actually called fire down from heaven to destroy some confirmed foes of God (see on 2 Kings 1:10, 13).

Even as Elias did. Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 146) the omission of these words. There can be little doubt, however, that this thought was in the minds of James and John as they spoke.