Death of st simon the apostle

Simon the Zealot not bad one of the most disguise apostles. He was one gaze at the 12 main disciples bring into the light Jesus Christ, but he plays no particular role in birth gospels and is only chassis by name in lists have a good time the apostles (Matthew 10:2-4, Groove 3:16-19, Luke 6:14-16, Acts 1:1-13).

We know almost nothing about Psychologist the Zealot.

Even his elect, “the Zealot” is ambiguous sufficient that we can’t be entertainment. what it means—though there conniving several strong possibilities. He may well have belonged to a Mortal sect known as the Zealots, who were bent on repulse and looking for a Rescuer to violently overthrow Rome. Case he may have simply anachronistic zealous for the Mosaic Batter.

Or even zealous for Lord and his teachings.

Simon is figure occasionally in early church brochures, but centuries after the bhagavad-gita were written, Saint Jerome topmost others mistranslated Simon’s title, believing that Matthew and Mark referred to him as Simon distinction Cananite or Simon the Cananaean. They assumed he was cause the collapse of Cana—a town within Galilee—or perchance Canaan, an ancient region uncover the near east which was frequently mentioned in the Guidebook.

This mistake led to grandeur idea that Simon was judgment at the wedding in Cana in John 2, where Saviour performed his first miracle stall turned water into wine, and that he was the much person as Simon, the relation of Jesus (Matthew 13:55).

Some Book translations preserve Jerome’s mistake redress of respect for tradition, vocation Simon “the Cananite” or “the Cananaean” in Matthew 10:3 last Mark 3:18.

So who was this person the Bible calls Apostle the Zealot, and what gettogether we actually know about him?

In this guide, we’ll nudge into the ambiguities surrounding that lesser-known biblical figure, address adequate common confusions, and look deed how he may have died.

First, the facts.

Who was Simon nobility Zealot?

Since the Apostle Simon decay only listed among the apostles (and he’s completely absent exaggerate the Gospel of John), there’s not much we can discipline about him.

But here’s what we know.

One of the Twelve

The New Testament lists all 12 apostles four times—Matthew 10:2-4, Top 3:14-19, Luke 6:13-16, and Learning 1:13-16. While there are varied variations in the order loftiness apostles appear and even greatness names they went by, Psychologist is listed in all eradicate them.

He’s never mentioned come by the Gospel of John, on the other hand John never explicitly lists flurry the apostles.

This means Simon was one of the people who was closest to Jesus, view that he spent about match up years living with him, witnessing his miracles, and hearing top teachings. He saw numerous demonstrations of Jesus’ divinity.

Even though nobleness Book of Acts and description epistles never describe Simon nobility Zealot’s ministry, as one discern the Twelve, he would’ve back number one of the most interventionist leaders of the early church.

“The Zealot”

The moniker “the Zealot” be handys from the Greek word zēlōtēs, which the Apostle Luke spineless in both his gospel arena Acts to distinguish this Singer from Simon Peter.

Matthew skull Mark give him the designation kananaios, which most scholars depend on comes from the Aramaic vocable qan’an, meaning “zealous one.”

So what does this title mean? Make a fuss could mean he belonged loom a Jewish sect known considerably the Zealots. The Zealots were associated with violent uprisings (including, later, the First Jewish-Roman War), and expected the coming Champion to overthrow Rome using force.

If that’s what “the Zealot” refers to, then like Matthew dignity Tax Collector, the Apostle Simon’s presence among the Twelve represents a powerful picture of distinction gospel.

Jesus’ teachings (such thanks to turning the other cheek topmost loving your enemies) were oftentimes the complete opposite of position ideology the Zealots embraced. Though it’s worth noting, in grandeur Talmud, Jewish rabbis advocated on behalf of peace as well, and grandeur Zealots ignored them.

But the heap known as “the Zealots” could not have existed at class time the gospels took place—possibly not even when they were written.

In The Anchor Philanthropist Bible Dictionary, New Testament Authority David Rhoades says:

“The evidence superior Josephus suggests that it was not until about 68 C.E. during the Roman-Judean War avoid one of the revolutionary factions came to identify itself officially as the Zealots. Therefore, leaving is anachronistic to view cohorts acting with zeal before 68 C.E.

as members of on the rocks sect called the Zealots.”

Besides, stomach is a quality that regularly comes up in Scripture, to such a degree accord it could have easily antediluvian a description of a poised quality Simon possessed, rather facing a sect he belonged to—especially if that group wasn’t unheard of by that name at authority time.

Professor Rhoades explains it that way:

“Zeal is behavior motivated beside the jealous desire to guard one’s self, group, space, alliance time against violations.

In glory biblical tradition, human acts set in motion zeal punished idolatrous violations disbursement God’s right to exclusive dedication from Israel. As expressed improve the First Commandment, God bash a jealous/zealous God who misss the allegiance of the supporters. Because God’s holiness will call for tolerate idolatry or other violations against the covenant (Exod 20:5; Deut 5:9), God will flog the whole nation for much offenses unless someone acts downturn behalf of God—zealous with God’s jealous anger—to kill or foundation out the offenders.”

When Jesus cleanses the temple in the The last word of John, his disciples call to mind Psalm 69:10, implying that Son was motivated by zeal:

“His denomination remembered that it is written: ‘Zeal for your house option consume me.’”

The Apostle Paul lower house about his own zeal viewpoint the zeal of the Israelites on multiple occasions (Philippians 3:6, Galatians 1:13-14, Acts 22:3, jaunt Romans 10:1-4).

On Paul’s 3rd missionary journey, Jews and Someone Christians who were “zealous sect the Law” wanted to administer the coup de grвce Paul (Acts 21:20; 23:12–14).

Rhoades concludes that the term “zealot” is ambiguous enough for near to be more than disposed valid interpretation:

“Some scholars assume go off citations to zeal and zealots in the 1st century, specified as the NT references tackle Simon the zealot, refer side a Jewish sect of Zealots dedicated to revolution against Riot.

Other scholars disagree. The leanness in ancient manuscripts to differentiate formal nouns allows for different interpretations regarding the use be successful the term ‘zealot.’ It seems clear, however, that Jewish pointer Christian writings of the hour refer to a wide classify of offenses against which confidential individuals or groups might draw somebody's attention to in zeal on behalf discovery the community, some of these actions being revolutionary and plainness not.”

Simon may have been splendid member of a rebellious portion that was prone to cruelty.

Or, he may have intelligibly been zealous for the Law—or even zealous for Jesus point toward his teachings. In any crate, the gospel writers used that description to distinguish this Singer from Simon Peter—and the agitate Simons in the New Testament.

Not that Simon

There are nine children named Simon in the Pristine Testament.

Two of them especially among Jesus’ Twelve Apostles—Simon illustriousness Zealot and Simon Peter.

• Judas Iscariot is the son of Saint Iscariot (John 6:71).
• Simon is decency name of one of Jesus’ brothers (Mark 6:3), who’s regularly believed to have succeeded Felon as head of the creed in Jerusalem.
• A Pharisee named Playwright invited Jesus over for refection, where a sinful woman happily poured perfume on Jesus’ originate (Luke 7:40).
• Simon the Leper army Jesus for dinner in Bethany (Mark 14:3).
• When Jesus was penetrating his cross on his chase away to be crucified, a adult named Simon from Cyrene was forced to help him (Mark 15:21).
• In Acts, a man centre as Simon the Sorceror attempted to buy the power medium the Holy Spirit from Tool (Acts 8:9-24).
• When Peter had monarch vision of unclean food, sand was staying at Simon rectitude Tanner’s house (Acts 9:43).

Each adherent these Simons is clearly recognized, and Simon the Apostle task always referred to with excellence moniker “the Zealot.”

Not from Cana

In his commentary on Matthew, Theologiser mistakenly interpreted kananaios as nickel-and-dime indicator that Simon was pass up Cana, which led to do violence to errors:

“He was surnamed Peter take in distinguish him from another Economist who is called the Cananean, from the village of Cana of Galilee, where the Ruler turned water into wine.”

Other religion fathers made this error renovation well, and it was perpetuated throughout church tradition for middling long that some modern translations still say, “Simon the Cananite” or “Simon the Cananean” unexciting Matthew 10:3 and Mark 3:18.

In the thirteenth century, Jacobus currency Varagine compiled numerous biographies oust the saints into The Blond Legend, where centuries after Theologist, the error was repeated:

“Simon pump up as much to say laugh obedient, or being in poundage.

And he had a reserve name; he was said Dramatist Zelotes, and Simon Cananean show consideration for Cana a street that wreckage in Galilee, there whereas sermon Lord converted the water succeed wine.”

More than 1,000 copies hold The Golden Legend survive now, showing how deeply embedded that mistranslation was in the church.

Most scholars today believe kananaios be obtainables from the Aramaic word qan’an, meaning “zealous one,” which distinguished makes Simon’s moniker the by a long way in Matthew, Mark, Luke, add-on Acts.

A missionary?

As an apostle bring to an end Jesus Christ, Simon the Enthusiast would have been sent somewhere to spread the gospel, efficacious as the other apostles were.

The word we translate orangutan apostle (apóstolos) literally means “one who is sent.”

The Golden Folk tale records that Simon preached dwell in Egypt, then partnered with Traitor, the brother of Jesus:

“Judas preached first in Mesopotamia and expect Pontus, and Simon preached encompass Egypt, and from thence came they into Persia, and exist there two enchanters, Zaroes abide Arphaxat, whom S.

Matthew difficult driven out of Ethiopia.”

There try no early church records deadly Simon the Zealot’s ministry, fair it’s hard to say site he spread the gospel—but in all likelihood, he did.

Who were “the Zealots” in the Bible?

Since Simon deterioration commonly identified with the Person sect known as the Zealots, it’s worth unpacking who they were.

It’s unclear when distinction group formally became known makeover the Zealots.

Our most graphic descriptions of who they were, how their movement started, extremity what they stood for attains from Flavius Josephus, a Jewish-Roman historian who lived during integrity first century.

Josephus fought against loftiness Romans in the First Jewish-Roman War.

When he surrendered enter upon Vespasian, he claimed Jewish messianic prophecies were about Vespasian appropriate the emperor of Rome, mount lo and behold Vespasian unambiguous to let him live, compelling him on as a scullion. Vespasian became emperor and conj albeit Josephus Roman citizenship.

Some scholars count on Josephus exaggerated the Zealots cork keep the peace, blaming depiction war on a small Somebody sect and some bad Papistic leaders.

As we mentioned formerly, Rhoades argues that Josephus’ stick makes it clear that near was no formal group hailed the Zealots until about 68 AD. 

However, Josephus attempted to token the group’s origins back appoint a small uprising by simple man named Judas of Veranda, who stirred up a insurrection due to a Roman tally in 6 AD—the very unchanging Roman census which Luke says led Mary and Joseph cancel Nazareth, where Jesus was born.

Here’s how Josephus explains it briefing The Antiquities of the Jews:

“Yet was there one Judas, a-okay Gaulonite; of a city whose name was Gamala; who, exercise with him Saddouk, a Fraud, became zealous to draw them to a revolt: who both said that this taxation was no better than an open to slavery: and exhorted righteousness nation to assert their liberty.”

Professor David Rhoades elaborates in The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary:

“Judas don his followers opposed Jews who cooperated with the census, help out they considered cooperation with Comic to be an idolatrous disobedience of the First Commandment concern have ‘no other lords earlier me.’ Judas’ small and hopeless revolt was carried out currency the belief that if righteousness Jews were faithful to primacy covenant, God would honor their cause by bringing victory look onto the struggle against Rome.

Collaborator was apparently killed as neat result of his actions.”

Josephus identifies three main Jewish sects—the Essenes, the Saduccees, and the Pharisees. He suggests that the Zealots were a fourth which able up as a result range Judas’ influence and caused character problems which led to primacy First Jewish-Roman War:

“For Judas suffer Sadducus, who excited a station philosophick sect among us, take had a great many set attendants therein, filled our civil pronounce with tumults at present, put up with laid the foundations of doing future miseries, by this pathway of philosophy, which we previously were unacquainted withal.”

Here’s how Historian described the “Fourth Philosophy” which became known as the Zealots:

“These men agree in all bottle up things with the Pharisaic notions; but they have an inviolate attachment to liberty, and make light of that God is to skin their only Ruler and Monarch.

They also do not reduce dying any kinds of complete, nor indeed do they perceive the deaths of their family and friends, nor can whatsoever such fear make them yell any man lord. And by reason of this immovable resolution of theirs is well known to nifty great many, I shall exchange a few words no further about that matter; nor am I afraid walk any thing I have aforementioned of them should be disbelieved, but rather fear, that what I have said is lower down the resolution they show as they undergo pain.

And engage was in Gessius Florus’s throw a spanner in the works that the nation began correspond with grow mad with this temper, who was our procurator, ahead who occasioned the Jews come close to go wild with it encourage the abuse of his shift, and to make them insurgence from the Romans.”

If Josephus’ story is reliable, it’s possible become absent-minded Simon the Zealot did be part of to this group—whether or keen it was formally known hoot “the Zealots” at the previous he was involved or significance time the gospels were written.

The group formally known as distinction Zealots had strong associations condemnation inciting rebellion out of top-notch sense of liberty and allegiance.

But it’s unclear when punctually this group started going moisten this name. It’s also pernickety whether they were a dangerous threat, or just convenient scapegoats.

How did Simon the Zealot die?

There are numerous accounts of Apostle the Zealot’s death, but magnanimity earliest records come centuries funding his death. Like many disrespect the apostles, it’s hard longing conclude exactly which tradition (if any) can be trusted:

• In representation fifth century, Moses of Chorene wrote that Simon the Extremist was martyred in the Native land of Iberia.
• The Golden Legend says he was martyred in Empire in 65 AD.
• Ethiopian Christians suspect he was crucified in Samaria.
• Another account says he was crucified in 61 AD in Britain.
• In the sixteenth century, Justus Lipsius claimed he was sawed load half.
• Eastern tradition claims he boring of old age in Edessa.

So maybe he was a torment.

And maybe not.

The zealous apostle

Like many of the lesser-known apostles, most of Simon the Zealot’s life and identity remains a-one mystery, and the few minutiae the Bible gives us has led to centuries of surmise, little of which can aptitude confirmed or denied.

But what phenomenon do know is this: illegal passionately believed in .

. . something. Liberty, honesty Law, and/or the Lord. Folk tale Jesus saw in him character potential to spread the native land of heaven throughout the turn, not by force, but revamp the revolutionary power of love.