Simon the Zealot, also known as Simon the Cananean or Simon the Canaanite, is one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. His designation as "the Zealot" distinguishes him from Simon Peter and reflects his association with the Zealots, a Jewish political movement that sought to overthrow Roman rule in Judea. The Zealots were known for their fervent nationalism and commitment to the Law of Moses, often resorting to radical and militant measures to achieve their goals.

Biblical References

Simon the Zealot is mentioned in the New Testament in the lists of the apostles. In the Gospel of Matthew 10:4 , he is referred to as "Simon the Zealot," and similarly in Mark 3:18 and Luke 6:15 . The Book of Acts 1:13 also lists him among the apostles gathered in the upper room after the ascension of Jesus: "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."

Historical and Cultural Context

The Zealots emerged as a distinct group during the first century AD, characterized by their passionate opposition to Roman occupation and their desire to restore Jewish sovereignty. This movement was rooted in a deep-seated belief in the coming of a messianic kingdom and a strict adherence to the Torah. Simon's affiliation with this group suggests that he was a man of intense conviction and zeal for the Jewish faith and national identity.

Role as an Apostle

Despite his background, Simon the Zealot's role as an apostle demonstrates the transformative power of Jesus' ministry. Jesus called individuals from diverse and often opposing backgrounds, uniting them in the mission of spreading the Gospel. Simon's inclusion among the apostles highlights the message of reconciliation and the breaking down of barriers that Jesus preached.

The New Testament does not provide specific details about Simon's activities or contributions as an apostle. However, early Christian tradition holds that he continued to preach the Gospel after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. Various accounts suggest that Simon the Zealot traveled extensively, possibly reaching as far as Egypt, North Africa, and Persia, to proclaim the message of Christ.

Legacy and Tradition

The legacy of Simon the Zealot is preserved in the traditions of the early Church. Some accounts suggest that he was martyred for his faith, although the exact circumstances and location of his death remain uncertain. Different traditions claim that he was martyred in Persia or Armenia, often alongside other apostles such as Jude Thaddeus.

Simon the Zealot is venerated as a saint in various Christian traditions, and his feast day is celebrated on different dates depending on the liturgical calendar. His life serves as a testament to the power of the Gospel to unite individuals from diverse backgrounds and to transform zeal for earthly causes into a fervent commitment to the Kingdom of God.

Symbolism and Iconography

In Christian art and iconography, Simon the Zealot is often depicted with a saw, which is associated with his martyrdom. This symbol serves as a reminder of his steadfast faith and willingness to endure suffering for the sake of Christ. His portrayal alongside other apostles underscores the unity and diversity of the early Christian community, bound together by their shared mission and devotion to Jesus.Simon the Zealot

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 ...
... he was an adherent of the -- "Simon the Canaanite (Mt 10: 4; Mk 3:18). Word Origin
of Aramaic origin Definition Cananaean, Aramaic for Zealot, surname of one ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2581.htm - 7k

After Prayer Jesus Selects Twelve Apostles.
... Alph??us, and James the son of Alph??us James the son of Alph??us, 10 and Thadd??us;
and Thadd??us and Simon called the Zealot, and Simon the Zealot 11 Simon ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xli after prayer jesus selects.htm

Jesus Calls Together his Friends and Helpers
... his brother, whom he called "Sons of Thunder," Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew,
Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/jesus calls together his friends.htm

Hippolytus on the Twelve Apostles:
... Simon the Zealot, [2026] the son of Clopas, who is also called Jude, became bishop
of Jerusalem after James the Just, and fell asleep and was buried there at ...
/.../hippolytus on the twelve apostles .htm

Letter cix. To Riparius.
... I have read of the javelin of Phinehas, [3032] of the harshness of Elijah, [3033]
of the jealous anger of Simon the zealot, [3034] of the severity of Peter in ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cix to riparius.htm

And the Pharisees Went Out, and Consulted Together Concerning Him. ...
... and [21] John, and Philip and Bartholomew, [634] and Matthew and Thomas, and James
the son [22] of Alph??us, and Simon which was called the Zealot, [635] and ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section viii and the pharisees.htm

Selection of the Twelve.
... sons of thunder; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the publican; James
the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon, who was called the Zealot, and Judas ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/selection of the twelve.htm

C. The Third Period. Chs. 6:12 to 8:56
... brother, and James and John, and Philip and Bartholomew, 15 and Matthew and Thomas,
and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, 16 and ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/c the third period chs.htm

Seed Scattered and Taking Root
... Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip ...
and were stirred to sympathy with his victims; and the zealot, who with ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture the acts/seed scattered and taking root.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

Ambassadors for Christ
... Simon 'the Canaanite' (Auth. Ver.) is properly 'the Cananaan' (Rev. Ver.).
There ... The name is a late Aramaic word meaning zealot. Hence ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/ambassadors for christ.htm

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