Simon the Canaanite, also known as Simon the Zealot, is one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. His designation as "the Canaanite" is derived from the Greek word "Kananaios," which is believed to be a transliteration of the Aramaic "qan’an," meaning "zealous." This has led to the understanding that Simon was associated with the Zealots, a Jewish political movement that sought to overthrow Roman rule in Judea. The Zealots were known for their fervent nationalism and their commitment to the Law of Moses, often resorting to radical measures to achieve their goals.

Biblical References

Simon the Canaanite is mentioned in the synoptic Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. In Matthew 10:4 , he is listed among the twelve apostles: "Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him." Similarly, Mark 3:18 includes him in the apostolic list: "Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot." Luke 6:15 also names him: "Matthew and Thomas, James son of Alphaeus and Simon called the Zealot." In Acts 1:13 , he is mentioned as part of the group of apostles who gathered in the upper room after Jesus' ascension: "When they arrived, they went to the upper room where they were staying. Present were Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James."

Role and Significance

Simon's inclusion among the apostles is significant given his background as a Zealot. His transformation from a nationalist revolutionary to a follower of Christ exemplifies the unifying power of Jesus' message, which transcended political and social divisions. Simon's zeal, once directed towards political liberation, was redirected towards the spiritual mission of spreading the Gospel. This change highlights the transformative impact of Jesus' teachings and the call to a higher purpose beyond earthly kingdoms.

Tradition and Legacy

While the New Testament provides limited information about Simon's life and ministry, early Christian tradition offers various accounts of his later activities. Some traditions suggest that Simon preached the Gospel in regions such as Egypt, North Africa, and Persia. According to certain accounts, he was martyred for his faith, although the exact location and manner of his death remain uncertain. Despite the scarcity of details, Simon's legacy as an apostle is preserved in the Christian tradition, symbolizing the diverse backgrounds and personalities united in the early Church.

Symbolism and Iconography

In Christian iconography, Simon the Canaanite is often depicted with a saw, which is associated with his martyrdom. This symbol serves as a reminder of his dedication and sacrifice for the cause of Christ. His feast day is celebrated on October 28th in the Western Church, often in conjunction with Saint Jude Thaddeus, another apostle.

Simon's life and ministry continue to inspire believers to channel their passions and zeal towards the service of God's kingdom, demonstrating the power of faith to transform lives and unite individuals from diverse backgrounds in the mission of the Church.Simon the Canaanite

SIMON THE CANAANITE; SIMON THE CANANAEAN; SIMON THE ZEALOT

(Simon Kananaios; kanna'i, "the Jealous (or Zealous) One"): One of the Twelve Apostles. This Simon was also named "the Canaanite" (Matthew 10:4 Mark 3:18 the King James Version) or "the Cananean" (Matthew 10:4 Mark 3:18 the Revised Version (British and American)) or "Zelotes" (Luke 6:15 Acts 1:13 the King James Version) or "the Zealot" (Luke 6:15 Acts 1:13 the Revised Version (British and American)).

According to the "Gospel of the Ebionites" or" Gospel of the Twelve Apostles" (of the 2nd century and mentioned by Origen) Simon received his call to the apostleship along with Andrew and Peter, the sons of Zebedee, Thaddaeus and Judas Iscariot at the Sea of Tiberias (compare Matthew 4:18-22; see also Hennecke, Neutestamentliche Apokryphen, 24-27).

Although Simon, like the majority of the apostles, was probably a Galilean, the designation "Cananaean" is regarded as of political rather than of geographical significance (compare Luke's rendering). The Zealots were a faction, headed by Judas of Galilee, who "in the days of the enrollment" (compare Acts 5:37 Luke 2:1, 2) bitterly opposed the threatened increase of taxation at the census of Quirinius, and would have hastened by the sword the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy.

Simon has been identified with Simon the brother of Jesus (Mark 6:3 Matthew 13:55), but there also are reasons in favor of identifying him with Nathanael.

Thus (1) all the arguments adduced in favor of the Bartholomew-Nathanael identification (see NATHANAEL) can equally be applied to that of Simon-Nathanael, except the second. But the second is of no account, since the Philip-Bartholomew connection in the Synoptists occurs merely in the apostolic lists, while in John it is narrative. Further, in the Synoptists, Philip is connected in the narrative, not with Bartholomew but with Andrew.

(2) The identity is definitely stated in the Genealogies of the Twelve Apostles (see NATHANAEL). Further, the "Preaching of Simon, son of Cleopas" (compare Budge, II, 70;) has the heading "The preaching of the blessed Simon, the son of Cleopas, who was surnamed Judas, which is interpreted Nathanael, who became bishop of Jerusalem after James the brother of our Lord." Eusebius (Historia Ecclesiastica, III, xi, 32; IV, xxii) also refers to a Simon who succeeded James as bishop of Jerusalem and suffered martyrdom under Trajan; and Hegesippus, whom Eusebius professes to quote, calls this Simon a son of Cleopas.

(3) The invitation of Philip to Nathanael (compare John 1:45) was one which would naturally be addressed to a follower of the Zealots, who based their cause on the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy.

(4) As Alpheus, the father of James, is generally regarded as the same as Clopas or Cleopas (see JAMES), this identification of the above Simon Nathanael, son of Cleopas, with Simon Zelotes would shed light on the reason of the juxtaposition of James son of Alpheus and Simon Zelotes in the apostolic lists of Luke and Acts, i.e. they were brothers.

C. M. Kerr

2581. Kananaios -- Cananaean, Aramaic for Zealot, surname of one ...
... 2581 -- properly, a Canaanite (a Canaanean); used of one of the twelve apostles
because he was an adherent of the -- "Simon the Canaanite (Mt 10: 4; Mk 3:18). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2581.htm - 7k

Ordination and Duties of the Clergy.
... Simon the Canaanite Concerning the Number Necessary for the Ordination
of a Bishop. XXVII. [3703] And I Simon the Canaanite [3704 ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii ordination and duties of.htm

Ambassadors for Christ
... And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the
son of Alphaus Thaddaus Simon the Canaanite, 19. ... Simon 'the Canaanite' (Auth. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/ambassadors for christ.htm

A Brother to all who do the Will of God
... of thunder: and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and
James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite, and Judas ...
/.../mark/jesus of nazareth a biography/chapter iii a brother to.htm

Symeon Rules the Church of Jerusalem after James.
... [694] This Symeon is to be distinguished from the apostle Simon, the Canaanite,
and also from Simon, the brother of our Lord (mentioned in Matthew 13:55 and ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xi symeon rules the church.htm

Disciples of John Refuted.
... But if he be the greatest of all, then must he be the Christ.' To this Simon the
Canaanite, answering, asserted that John was indeed greater than all the ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter lx disciples of john refuted.htm

Matt. Ix. 27-30.
... Because there was also another Simon, the Canaanite; and there was Judas Iscariot,
and Judas the brother of James; and James the son of Alph??us, and James the ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xxxii matt ix 27-30.htm

Feeding Upon Christ.
... Some have endeavored to identify the father of Judas with "Simon the Canaanite,"
one of the apostles, others with "Simon the leper," who lived at Bethany, but ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/feeding upon christ.htm

The Heresies Attacked by the Apostles.
... of Zebedee; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew; James the son of Alph??us,
and Lebb??us who is surnamed Thadd??us; and Simon the Canaanite, [3226] and ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii the heresies attacked by.htm

The Gospel of John
... evangelist names only seven of the disciples of the Lord, the five that are not
named being John and his brother James, Matthew, Simon the Canaanite and James ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the gospel of john.htm

The Twelve and the Seventy.
... His namesake, the other Simon, was termed the Canaanite, and also Zelotes, [38:7]
or the zealot"a title expressive, in all likelihood, of the zeal and ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter iii the twelve and.htm

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