We can't know for sure, but it's hard to imagine that someone could follow the peaceful way of Jesus and still participate in a violent insurrection. Older adaptations of the Gospels tended to depict Simon the Zealot and Nathanael in this way, if they depicted them at all. Others have seen a connection to the description of the peaceful abundance of Solomon's reign, when every Israelite sat under his own fig tree (. I offer my work for free and rely on the generous support of readers like you. Their one and only goal was to overthrow the Roman government and their occupation of Israel. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. The Chosen creatively connects these two characters in order to make a point. But heres what we know. Some Bible translations preserve Jeromes mistake out of respect for tradition, calling Simon the Cananite or the Cananaean in Matthew 10:3 and Mark 3:18. The Bible does not describe how Simon the Zealot met Jesus. In the gospels Simon the Zealot is not identified with Simon the brother of Jesus mentioned in Mark 6:3: Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?" Liberty, the Law, and/or the Lord. It's not a stretch to assume that the second sword was owned by Simon the Zealot, but ironically he kept it hidden, and instead Peter was the one who turned to violence. Zavada, Jack. The name Simon occurs in all of the Synoptic Gospels and the Book of Acts each time there is a list of apostles, without further details: Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor. Eastern Orthodox Churches Oriental Orthodoxy Catholic Church (Eastern and Roman) Anglicanism Lutheran Church. Season 2 Reflection P1: What is The Chosen Season 2 about? The Zealots were a group of Jews who believed that God had called them to overthrow the Roman Empire through physical force. What do you think it looks like to stop putting hope in things that disappoint us, like the Pool of Bethesda, and to instead focus our hopes around Jesus? "Meet Simon the Zealot: A Mystery Apostle." What aspects of these characters stuck out to you? The Bible gives us very little information about Simon the Zealot and no information about his family. This is because this line is not found in the earliest Greek manuscripts of the passage and most scholars believe that it was not in the original Gospel of John. St. Simon the Zealot's (Simon Kananaios) cave in Abkhazia, Georgia, The Apostle Simon the Zealot by Georg Gsell, Simon Zelotes evangelische Kirche Leihgestern. You will see greater things than these. And he said to him, Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man. (John 1:43-51 ESV), Commentators throughout history have puzzled over the significance of Jesus telling Nathanael that he saw him while he was sitting under the fig tree. In the English Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, New International Version, and New Living Translation he is called Simon the Zealot. A few pseudepigraphical writings were connected to him, but Saint Jerome does not include him in De viris illustribus written between 392 and 393 AD.[4]. Life They hoped to accomplish this by inciting the people to rebellion, driving the Romans from Israel, and establishing a Mosaic theocracy. In Luke 22:38, the disciples tell Jesus, "See, Lord, here are two swords." Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Did he leave the Zealots in order to join the Jesus movement, while continuing to be known for his past association? In Acts, a man known as Simon the Sorceror attempted to buy the power of the Holy Spirit from Peter (Acts 8:9-24). Jesus then simply tells him to get up and walk and he's healed. Also known as: Kananaios, Simon the Cananean, Simon the Zealot, the Cananaean. Some of these Zealots, known as Sicarii, would carry out terrorist attacks and assassinations of Romans and Jews who cooperated with the Roman Empire. In the Bible, there is no indication that Nathanael was an architect. Matthew and Mark give him the title kananaios, which most scholars believe comes from the Aramaic word qanan, meaning zealous one.. How did Jesus meet Simon Peter? Why or why not? In Episode 2 of The Chosen Season 2, Jesus encountered a man who had his career crumble all around him. In The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary, New Testament Scholar David Rhoades says: The evidence from Josephus suggests that it was not until about 68 C.E. For the apostle Simon Peter, see, Appendix to the Works of Hippolytus 49.11. In a book - and especially in a book that's written in a laconic style like the Gospels - it's possible to introduce characters like Simon and Nathanael without giving readers very much detail. Simon was a man of intense loyalties and warm personal devotions, and he did profoundly love Jesus. He was a Zealot for much of his life, which meant he was extremely legalistic and held a deep-set hatred towards the Romans and any who had dealings with them. The Zealots (as The Chosen shows) were a group of religious insurgents, who sought to push back against the oppressive practices of Rome through violence, terrorism, and assassination. Jesse initially hopes that the Pool of Bethesda will save him from his injury but ends up disappointed. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. There are nine people named Simon in the New Testament. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. After seeing his brother healed by Jesus, do you think he will continue to hope in violence to bring salvation? We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. [18] Nikephoros I of Constantinople writes:[18][19]. Both Kananaios and Kananites derive from the Hebrew word qanai, meaning zealous, although Jerome and others mistook the word to signify the apostle was from the town of Cana, in which case his epithet would have been "Kanaios", or even from the region of Canaan. Bible References: Simon the Zealot is mentioned in Matthew 10:4, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:15, andActs 1:13. FYI: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. (John 21:1-8, ESV), Nathanael sitting under a fig tree in Season 2 of The Chosen, In order for characters to contribute to an ensemble in a meaningful way, it's important for each of them to have unique gifts or abilities. What do you think we're supposed to conclude? [citation needed] As such, the translation of the word as "the Cananite" or "the Canaanite" is without contemporary extra-canonic parallel. As a result, there's a lot of latitude for how they can be depicted in Bible adaptation. (NIV), Acts 1:13When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Accomplishments: Church tradition holds that after Christ's death and resurrection, Simon the Zealot spread the gospel in Egypt as a missionary and was martyred in Persia. Who Was Herod? In The Chosen, during Season 2, Episode 4, Simon the Zealot is reunited with his brother, Jesse, after years of separation. Bartholomew was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus (e.g.. The word we translate as apostle (apstolos) literally means one who is sent.. Jesus said to them, Children, do you have any fish? They answered him, No. He said to them, Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some. So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. He may have belonged to a Jewish sect known as the Zealots, who were bent on revolution and looking for a Messiah to violently overthrow Rome. FYI: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. However, his title "the Zealot" suggests that he may have been a member of a band of violent Jewish revolutionaries. [10][11], James Tissot, Saint Simon, Brooklyn Museum. Died. The connection between the two figures is invented in order to add depth to Simon's character and suggest thematic connections between their stories. How does it affect your view of Simon the Zealot, to know that he went off to become a Zealot and fight for the freedom of the Jews while leaving his brother helplessly lying by the Pool of Bethesda? As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, called Peter and his brother Andrew. Heres how Josephus described the Fourth Philosophy which became known as the Zealots: These men agree in all other things with the Pharisaic notions; but they have an inviolable attachment to liberty, and say that God is to be their only Ruler and Lord. Perhaps your quiet time will generate an idea that you can turn into something beautiful! In his commentary on Matthew, Jerome mistakenly interpreted kananaios as an indicator that Simon was from Cana, which led to other errors: He was surnamed Peter to distinguish him from another Simon who is called the Cananean, from the village of Cana of Galilee, where the Lord turned water into wine.. Remember that, during the time of the New Testament, the land of Israel was occupied by the Roman Empire, which had conquered it several decades earlier. The term Zealots comes from the Greek word zelotes that means emulator or zealous follower. When he surrendered to Vespasian, he claimed Jewish messianic prophecies were about Vespasian becoming the emperor of Rome, and lo and behold Vespasian decided to let him live, taking him on as a slave. The Bible does not describe how Simon the Zealot met Jesus. (Plots & Theme), Episode 2 Guide: Philip, Nathanael, & Matthew, Episode 3 Guide: Life Among the Disciples of Jesus, Episode 4 Guide: Simon the Zealot & the Man at the Bethesda Pool, Episode 5 Guide: Mary's Demons & the Destiny of John the Baptist, Episode 8 Guide: Judas, Matthew, & the Sermon on the Mount, Episode 1 Guide: Mary Magdalene, Lilith, and the Redeemer, Episode 2 Guide: Mary Magdalene, Nicodemus, and Shabbat, Episode 3 Guide: Depicting Jesus in Art, Film, and TV, Episode 4 Guide: When Jesus Met Simon (Peter), Episode 6 Guide: Jesus, Shmuel, & the Pharisees. So what does this title mean? One popular theory is that he was martyred. Simon the Zealot. Berean Literal Bible I hope you enjoy them! In a smaller ensemble, it's common for character abilities to fall into basic archetypal patterns like the power trio (the logical brain, the emotional friend, and the balanced hero) or the five-man band (the charismatic leader, the edgy anti-hero, the brain, the tank, and the token girl). We also need to think about how their characters are shaped by the structure of The Chosen and the demands of modern screen adaptation. Simeon of Jerusalem was a Jewish Christian leader and according to most Christian traditions the second Bishop of Jerusalem (63 or 70-107 or 117), succeeding James, brother of Jesus. Matthew and Mark give him the title kananaios, which most scholars believe comes from the Aramaic word qan'an, meaning "zealous one." So what does this title mean? as members of a sect called the Zealots.. Each of the apostles was chosen for a specific reason. For the most part, I just clarify who characters are and occasionally I briefly explained a reference or allusion that is confusing to my youth. Rhoades concludes that the term zealot is ambiguous enough for there to be more than one valid interpretation: Some scholars assume that citations to zeal and zealots in the 1st century, such as the NT references to Simon the zealot, refer to a Jewish sect of Zealots dedicated to revolution against Rome. Basil the Great, the 4th-century Cappadocian Father, Simon died peacefully at Edessa. Wiki User. Thank you! For each passage that you read, you will still take notes on important literary features like plot and theme, but you will also have space to respond by sketching, doodling, or writing something inspired by the passage. But what we do know is this: he passionately believed in . This site uses cookies to analyze traffic and ensure you get the best experience. Updates? . The Zealots were a political movement in 1st-century Second Temple Judaism which sought to incite the people of Judea Province to rebel against the Roman Empire and expel it from the Holy Land by force of arms, most notably during the First Jewish-Roman War (66-70). Known for: Little-known apostle of Jesus Christ. Our most detailed descriptions of who they were, how their movement started, and what they stood for comes from Flavius Josephus, a Jewish-Roman historian who lived during the first century. The Catholic Encyclopedia suggests that Simon the Zealot may be the same person as Simeon of Jerusalem or Simon the brother of Jesus or both. What did Simon the Zealot do before he met Jesus? He ends up believing that Jesus is the Messiah. Narrative Ambiguity & Charitable Reading. Simon the Zealot can't simply be another name on a list - we want to have at least a basic understanding of where he came from and what he contributes as a disciple. The Catholic Church defined that "brothers of Jesus" are not biological children of Mary, [2] because of the dogma of the perpetual virginity of Mary, by virtue of which it rejects the idea that Simon and any other than Jesus Christ God could be a biological son of Mary, suggesting that the so-called Desposyni were either sons of Joseph from a . Meet Simon the Zealot: A Mystery Apostle. Related Truth: He is buried in the same tomb as Jude Thaddeus, in the left transept of the St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, under the altar of St. Joseph. We can't know for sure, but it's hard to imagine that someone could follow the peaceful way of Jesus and still participate in a violent insurrection. More than 1,000 copies of The Golden Legend survive today, showing how deeply embedded this mistranslation was in the church. Instead, Jesus shows up and provides Simon with a new vision of justice and of how to make things right - not through violence but through the healing hand of the Messiah. According to an Eastern tradition Simon travelled to Georgia on a missionary trip, died in Abkhazia and was buried in Nicopsia. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, Do you want to be healed? The sick man answered him, Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me. Jesus said to him, Get up, take up your bed, and walk. And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. The failure in ancient manuscripts to distinguish formal nouns allows for differing interpretations regarding the use of the term zealot. It seems clear, however, that Jewish and Christian writings of the period refer to a wide variety of offenses against which private individuals or groups might act in zeal on behalf of the community, some of these actions being revolutionary and others not.. I hope you enjoy them! Why do you think Jesus asked him that question? 28 Bible Verses about zealots. As a former assassin, he is the most physically formidable of the disciples. Berean Standard Bible Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus. Were there any scenes that you found interesting or moving? Today we'll be exploring what the Bible says about Simon and Nathanael and how The Chosen adapts them to the screen. From the perspective of understanding Nathanael, this story suggests (but doesn't require) that Nathanael may have had a background in fishing. If Simon the Zealot had gone through with his attempt to assassinate the Roman leader, his hope would also have been disappointed by the intervention of Atticus, the undercover Roman agent. He suggests that the Zealots were a fourth which sprung up as a result of Judas influence and caused the problems which led to the First Jewish-Roman War: For Judas and Sadducus, who excited a fourth philosophick sect among us, and had a great many followers therein, filled our civil government with tumults at present, and laid the foundations of our future miseries, by this system of philosophy, which we before were unacquainted withal.. Join our email list, and well send you some of our best free resourcesplus well tell you whenever we make something new. Corrections? Simon the Zealot must have been shaken by the violence of Jesus' crucifixion. Saint Simon the Zealot. According to St. On Pauls third missionary journey, Jews and Jewish Christians who were zealous for the Law wanted to kill Paul (Acts 21:20; 23:1214). When his assassination attempt is thwarted, however, it seems like Simon's dream of justice will also be thwarted. Although Nathanael will probably never be a key figure in The Chosen, by giving his character these clear traits, the show makes it possible for him to contribute on occasion in meaningful ways. How did Simon the Zealot meet Jesus? To distinguish him from Simon Peter he is called Kananaios or Kananites, depending on the manuscript (Matthew 10:4 Mark 3:18), and in the list of apostles in Luke 6:15, repeated in Acts 1:13, Zelotes, the "Zealot". He may have suffered crucifixion as the Bishop of Jerusalem. [5] Eisenman's broader conclusions, that the zealot element in the original apostle group was disguised and overwritten to make it support the assimilative Pauline Christianity of the Gentiles, are more controversial. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if the second explanation will prove true, but I would prefer the first - since there are plenty of other miracle healings that the show could have utilized instead of undermining a central feature of this specific story. And they took offense at him. Season 2 Reflection P2: What was The Chosen Season 2 about? Facts 1 and 2 are true of most of the disciples. ", What the Bible Says About Simon the Zealot. That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, It is the Lord! When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. Western tradition is that he preached in Egypt and then went to Persia with St. Jude, where both suffered martyrdom. How could you relate to Simon the Zealot and/or Nathanael, as they were depicted in The Chosen? Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. Some of these Pharisees witnessed the healing of Jesse and saw how Jesus told him to get up and take his mat and walk. Before watching The Chosen, had you ever given much thought to Simon the Zealot or Nathanael? That said, this is an adaptation and that means it's their telling of these stories, so I won't be too bummed if they've taken reworked this relatively minor story. If you liked this post, you might want to check out some of my other posts on The Chosen and Bible adaptation. Or, he may have simply been zealous for the Lawor even zealous for Jesus or his teachings. Similar to the callings of some other apostles, the Bible says that Jesus sought out and discovered Philip just before the Messiah was about to depart for Galilee (John 1:43). In Episode 6 of The Chosen Season 1, Jesus faced opposition from a Pharisee in Capnernaum. In the gospels Simon the Zealot is not identified with Simon the brother of Jesus mentioned in Mark 6 :3: Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. Season 2 Reflection P2: What was The Chosen Season 2 about? Since Simon is commonly identified with the Jewish sect known as the Zealots, its worth unpacking who they were. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. We might wonder how Simon the Zealot reacted to that. The Apostle Philip followed Peter, John, James, and Andrew in being called to serve as a disciple of Jesus. Simon was powerless to prevent it. Invalids - people with debilitating sicknesses, injuries, or birth defects - would often congregate around these miraculous places like Bethesda in hopes of having their sicknesses healed. To watch this season with your group, you'll need to pick up The Chosen app (, So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed. But he answered them, The man who healed me, that man said to me, Take up your bed, and walk. They asked him, Who is the man who said to you, Take up your bed and walk? Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. https://www.learnreligions.com/simon-the-zealot-mystery-apostle-701071 (accessed May 1, 2023). The Bible does not tell us anything about Simon the Zealot before he met Jesus. Zavada, Jack. The Bible mentions Nathanael less frequently than Simon the Zealot; he only comes up twice in the Gospel of John [although he may correspond to Bartholomew, who is mentioned in the list of Jesus' disciples (e.g., Matthew 10:3)]. [15], Another tradition states that he traveled in the Middle East and Africa. Zeal is behavior motivated by the jealous desire to protect ones self, group, space, or time against violations. Heritage Images / Contributor / Getty Images. Who Was Simon the Zealot? He discovers that Jesse has been healed by Jesus. This is what drives him to become so disciplined and formidable - because instead of handing his anger over to God, he's sought to turn himself into a destructive force who can take justice into his own hands. He is the author "Hope for Hurting Singles: A Christian Guide to Overcoming Life's Challenges. Regardless of why this line was included, we know nothing else about the angel described - if he even existed. See answer (1) Copy. They were also known to target Jews who were sympathetic to Rome. Although The Chosen Season 2 Episode 4 did livestream on YouTube and Facebook, new episodes are now only being left up for 24 hours before being taken down. Nothing further is known about him from the New Testament. In the place of the pool, what does he discover is a much better hope? After all, when we see a glaring vice in a character, most of us can either see it in ourselves or in other people we know. Matthew 10:1-4), he appears to have already been established as a disciple of Jesus. While The Chosen Season 2 Episode 4 closes on a happy note, with Jesse joyfully dancing on his new legs full of gratitude to Jesus, the original account of this story in the Gospel of John ends much more ambivalently: The ending of this story in the Gospel of John seems to suggest that the invalid, after getting healed by Jesus, turns into a snitch, reporting Jesus to the Pharisees. The Bible does not describe how Simon the Zealot met Jesus. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, See, you are well! Simon left everything in his previous life to follow Jesus. What has Simon the Zealot put his hope in to bring salvation? A boy named Simon is bitten by a snake in his hand; he is healed by Jesus, who told the child "you shall be my disciple". 8, 2022, learnreligions.com/simon-the-zealot-mystery-apostle-701071. If you liked this post, you might want to check out some of my other posts on The Chosen and Bible adaptation. This mistake led to the idea that Simon was present at the wedding in Cana in John 2, where Jesus performed his first miracle and turned water into wine, and that he was the same person as Simon, the brother of Jesus (Matthew 13:55). "And when they had entered, they . The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. Ethiopian Christians believe he was crucified in Samaria. Also Known as: Simon the Cananaean; Simon the Canaanite; Simon Zelotes. The New Testament lists all twelve apostles four timesMatthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:14-19, Luke 6:13-16, and Acts 1:13-16. Simon may have been a member of a rebellious group that was prone to violence. There are two possible explanations for this. While the Chosen depicts Simon the Zealot as the brother of Jesse, the invalid Jesus heals by the Pool of Bethesda, this detail does not come from the Gospels. Nothing further is known about him from the New Testament. In Islam, Muslim exegesis and Quran commentary name the twelve apostles and include Simon amongst the disciples. Narrative Ambiguity & Charitable Reading. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Traditionally, it has been believed that Bartholomew was another name for Nathanael/Nathaniel. Episode 1: What do we do when we are scared? What emotions do you imagine you'd feel? "[14], In later tradition, Simon is often associated with Jude the Apostle as an evangelizing team; in Western Christianity, they share their feast day on 28 October. Your contributions mean so much. In the Bible, when Jesus says he saw Nathanael under the fig tree (. He is most likely a character invented by The Chosen to help advance the story and perform actions that we know must have happened but which are not described in detail in the Bible. Simon the Zealot's greatest vice is also tied to his longings and his gifts. Come and See is a devotional journal designed specifically for studying Bible movies and shows like The Chosen. In a modern screen adaptation, however, audiences expect more. There's also a separate area for you to draw and take notes on your favorite biblical characters. They are number nine, ten and eleven in the list of the disciples. As expressed in the First Commandment, God is a jealous/zealous God who requires the allegiance of the people. Learn Religions. The Zealots were a political movement among Jews who sought to overthrow the occupying Roman government. New Living Translation Simon (the zealot), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him). Have my posts about Bible adaptation helped you learn more about the Bible and explore it with your ministry or family? Those who take the former view think Jesus may have chosen Simon, a member of the tax-hating, Roman-hating Zealots, to counterbalance Matthew, a former tax collector, and employee of the Roman empire. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. In this guide, well dig into the ambiguities surrounding this lesser-known biblical figure, address some common confusions, and look at how he may have died. It is uncertain whether he was one of the group of Zealots, the Jewish nationalistic party before ad 70. On the other hand, there also isn't strong evidence to the contrary. Nathanael and Simon the Zealot (and Judas) are each drawn into an encounter with Jesus by distinct longings. This is why, in order to understand how The Chosen adapts the characters of Simon and Nathanael, its important for us to not just focus on the handful of facts that the Bible tells us about them. In the fifth century, Moses of Chorene wrote that Simon the Zealot was martyred in the Kingdom of Iberia. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. Nathanael's vices are tied to both his longings and his gifts . How did Jesus meet Simon Peter? As it has been suggested that Jude is identical with the Apostle Thomas (see Jude Thomas), an identification of "Simon Zelotes" with Thomas is also possible. Their tactic was to mingle in crowds during festivals, slip up behind a victim, then kill him with their Sicari, or short curved knife. I'm sure that's why The Chosen decided to make Simon a. Most scholars believe he teamed up with Judas (surname Thaddeus) to spread the Gospel throughout Persia and Egypt. Simon was known for being (or once having been) a Zealot. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. In order to explain why, in the Gospel of John, the invalid tells Jesus that he has no one to put him in the water, this episode of The Chosen depicted him as having a brother who abandoned him in order to pursue life as a Jewish Zealot. There's no evidence to suggest Nathanael was a failed architect. Simon's background as a Zealot also establishes that he is a serious, disciplined, and *surprise* zealous person. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Jesus' kingdom was not about politics but salvation. He discovers that Jesse has been healed by Jesus. Jesus was not afraid to identify himself with business men, laboring men, optimists, pessimists, philosophers, skeptics, publicans, politicians, and patriots.
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