Simon the Zealot
- James Collazo
- Jun 23, 2017
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 25
Introduction
Simon the Zealot (Hebrew: Shimon ha-Kanai—Greek: Simōn ho Zēlōtēs, Simōn ho Kananaios) was born around AD 10 in Galilee, then part of the Roman Empire. The synoptic gospel writers—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—variously called him "Simon the Zealot" (Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13) or "Simon the Cananaean" (Matt. 10:4; Mark 3:18). In the first century, both terms referred to the Zealots, a group of Jewish revolutionaries who sought to overthrow Roman rule in Judea and Galilee during the First Jewish–Roman War (AD 66–70). The Hebrew word for "Zealot" is Kanai (H7067), which Matthew and Mark transliterated into Greek as Kananaios (G2581), preserving the Hebrew noun in Greek letters.
Some translations, like the King James Version (KJV), mistakenly render Kananaios as "Canaanite," a term that originally referred to the ancient pagan nation of Canaan before the Israelite conquest (Josh. 14:1). The KJV translators relied on the Latin Vulgate—the "Common Bible" (Biblia Vulgata) compiled by Jerome of Stridon (c. 347–c. 419)—who misread Kananaios as someone from the Galilean village of Cana. The English translators then followed Jerome, interpreting it as "Canaanite" because they prioritized Latin manuscripts over earlier Greek ones. The error was understandable, given the similarity between the Greek words Chananaios (G5478, "Canaanite," Χαναναῖος) and Kananaios (Καναναῖος) in New Testament manuscripts. Nevertheless, Jesus chose twelve apostles to reflect the twelve tribes of Israel (Matt. 19:28), so Simon was unquestionably a Jewish man—a nationalistic one at that!
Simon: Zealous for Jesus
Simon and Matthew were opposites: Simon was a Zealot, planning uprisings against the Romans, while Matthew worked as a tax collector for the Roman government. Though both were Jewish, their political views were far more extreme than modern liberal versus conservative divides. Jesus chose them as apostles to balance each other and demonstrate that his teaching was above politics. The Zealots were Jewish rebels aiming to free Judea and Galilee from Roman rule, often forming armed militias. A more radical faction, the "Daggermen" (Latin: Sicarii), assassinated their enemies in public using concealed daggers. Simon likely did not belong to this violent wing; he was a moderate who followed the Zealot motto: "No king but the Messiah, no tax but the temple, no friend but the Zealot."
Jesus chose Simon and Matthew as apostles to demonstrate the power of reconciliation and the breadth of God's call. Simon, an insurgent, longed for political freedom and resisted Roman rule, while Matthew, a tax collector, worked for the empire that the Zealots opposed. Despite their opposing backgrounds, Jesus saw in both men the potential to advance his mission. Simon brought zeal for justice and a passion for God's kingdom, while Matthew embodied mercy, patience, and the ability to navigate human weakness. Their presence showed that God's kingdom transcends political divisions, social labels, and personal differences, calling both the revolutionary and the collaborator to proclaim the gospel.
A Switch in Allegiance & Zeal
Simon may have first been drawn to Jesus' ministry in Galilee because he hoped Jesus would overthrow the Romans and reign as the Messiah. Yet he stayed even when Jesus taught lessons that contradicted Zealot ideology: "Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's" (Mark 12:17). Unlike the Zealot motto—"No king but Messiah, no tax but the temple"—Simon accepted Jesus' vision of God's kingdom. He remained with Jesus even after warnings of the temple's destruction (Matt 24:1–2; Luke 21:5–6), which occurred in AD 70 when the Romans captured Jerusalem and defeated the Zealots. Eusebius of Caesarea (AD 260–340) recorded that Jewish Christians fled to Pella east of the Jordan in AD 66 to avoid fighting in the war (Church History 3.5). By then, Simon had found a new cause for zeal: the good news of Jesus. Rather than fuming over paying taxes to Caesar, he recognized that humans bear God's image, and no earthly power could claim ownership over him. He now lived by a new motto: no king but Christ, no temple but the body, and no friend but the believer (John 2:21; 1 Cor. 6:19; 2 Cor. 6:14; Phil. 2:9–11).
Conclusion
Simon the Zealot played an essential role among Jesus' twelve apostles. Born in Galilee under Roman rule, he actively supported Jewish independence and resisted Roman control. Despite his political zeal, Jesus chose him to highlight spiritual freedom over political power. By including Simon, Jesus showed that he valued followers from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Simon's passion for his people demonstrates how faith, culture, and justice shaped life in first-century Judea. Learning about Simon helps us appreciate the diversity of voices in Scripture and how his commitment shaped the early church.
Prayer
Blessed are you, LORD our God, King of heaven and earth! Help us, following the example of your apostle Simon, to serve with zeal and devotion, knowing there is no king but Christ, no temple but the body, and no friend but the believer. We pray this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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