Characteristics of Simon the Zealot in the Bible
Simon the Zealot, also known as Simon the Cananaean, was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ [1, 3]. His name, Simon, is a common Jewish name, an abbreviated form of Simeon, meaning "hearing" or "obeys" [1, 2, 5]. He is consistently distinguished from Simon Peter, another apostle with the same given name [8].
The distinguishing characteristic of Simon is his epithet, "the Zealot" [3, 4]. This title is derived from the Syriac word "Kanean" or "Kaneniah," which is translated as "Cananaean" in some versions, but more accurately means "Zealot" [1, 6]. Before his call to apostleship, Simon was likely a member of the Zealot sect, a group of Jewish nationalists [1, 6, 7].
The Zealots were known for their fervent adherence to the Mosaic Law and their militant opposition to Roman rule [6, 7]. They believed that violence and warfare were legitimate means to achieve God's will and liberate Israel from foreign domination [7, 9]. Josephus, a first-century historian, attributed the Jewish-Roman War of AD 66–70 to the Zealot party [7]. Therefore, Simon's designation as "the Zealot" suggests a background of intense religious and political fervor, possibly even a willingness to engage in violent resistance against the Roman government [7, 9].
The inclusion of Simon the Zealot among Jesus's apostles highlights the diverse backgrounds of those Jesus called to follow him [9]. For instance, another apostle, Matthew (also called Levi), was a tax collector for the Romans, a profession often viewed with disdain by Jewish nationalists like the Zealots [9]. This contrast underscores the broad appeal of Jesus's ministry across different social and political strata within Jewish society. The New Testament provides no further specific details or records regarding Simon the Zealot's activities or teachings after his initial call to apostleship [1].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Simon — The abbreviated form of Simeon. (1.) One of the twelve apostles, called the Canaanite (Matt. 10:4; Mark 3:18). This word "Canaanite" does not mean a native of Canaan, but is derived from the Syriac word Kanean or Kaneniah, which was the name of a Jewish sect. The Revised Version has "Cananaean;" marg., "or Zealot" He is also called "Zelotes" (Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13; R.V., "the Zealot"), because previous to his call to the apostleship he had been a member of the fanatical sect of the Zealots. There is no record regarding him. (2.) The father of Judas Iscariot (J”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Peter — Originally called Simon (=Simeon, i.e., "hearing"), a very common Jewish name in the New Testament. He was the son of Jona (Matt. 16:17). His mother is nowhere named in Scripture. He had a younger brother called Andrew, who first brought him to Jesus (John 1:40-42). His native town was Bethsaida, on the western coast of the Sea of Galilee, to which also Philip belonged. Here he was brought up by the shores of the Sea of Galilee, and was trained to the occupation of a fisher. His father had probably died while he was still young, and he and his brother were br”
- Matthew “Matthew 10:4 (NASB) — Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Him.”
- Luke “Matthew; Thomas; James, the son of Alphaeus; Simon, who was called the Zealot; -- Luke 6:15”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Simon — that hears; that obeys”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 10:4: Simon the Canaanite--rather "Kananite," but better still, "the Zealot," as he is called in Luk 6:15, where the original term should not have been retained as in our version ("Simon, called Zelotes"), but rendered "Simon, called the Zealot." The word "Kananite" is just the Aramaic, or Syro-Chaldaic, term for "Zealot." Probably before his acquaintance with Jesus, he belonged to the sect of the Zealots, who bound themselves, as a sort of voluntary ecclesiastical police, to see that the law was not broken with impunity. and Judas Iscariot--that is, Juda”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 10:4: 10:4 the zealot: Zealots were militant Jews who thought violence and war were capable of accomplishing the will of God. As a Jewish nationalist, Simon was probably zealous for the law (Acts 22:3-5; Gal 1:14; Phil 3:6). Josephus blamed the Zealot party for the great war with Rome in AD 66–70. • Iscariot might refer to someone from Kerioth in southern Judea (Josh 15:25) or from Kerioth in Perea (Jer 48:24).”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 10:4: Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot,.... This is the last couple, for they are all mentioned by pairs, because they were sent forth "by two and two", as the Evangelist Mark says, Mar 6:7. The former of these is called Simon the Canaanite, to distinguish him from Simon Peter, before mentioned; not that he was a Canaanite, that is, an inhabitant of the land of Canaan, a man of Canaan, as a certain woman is called a woman of Canaan, Mat 15:22 for all the disciples of Christ were Jews; though in Munster's Hebrew Gospel he is called , "Simeon the Canaanite", or of Can”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 6:15: 6:15 The diversity of Jesus’ apostles is striking. • Matthew, also called Levi, was the tax collector for the Romans (see 5:27; Matt 9:9; 10:3). • Simon (who was called the zealot): Zealot probably meant that he had joined the Zealot movement, a group of Jews actively seeking to overthrow the Roman government.”