What can you tell me about the Disciple Simon the Canaanite? Are there any other references to him in the New Testament?
Georgianna
I find four references to Simon the Canaanite. In two, he’s referenced as a “Canaanite” which means someone from Canaan and in the other two, he’s referenced as “Zelotes” which simply means “Zealot”.
- Matthew 10:4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
- Mark 3:18 And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite,
- Luke 6:15: Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,
- Acts 1:13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
Georgianna! Now that’s a lovely name. A name which may very well have some significance. It’s a name that has Greek origins and means “Gracious Farmer”, doesn’t it? You’re most likely gracious, but are you a farmer? Just thought I’d ask that question before I go on.
There are some who say that there’s some kind of contradiction in the scriptures because Simon was called a Canaanite in two places, and Zelotes in two other verses. There is no contradiction and the facts are that the Bible gives us a clear pattern so we’re able to see not only who the apostles were, but also their associations with the other apostles. Also, at times people were given names related to their families or work by some, and by others, they were associated with their place of origin. Many say that Jesus surrounded himself with revolutionaries and radicals. Actually, just because he was called Zelotes (zealot) doesn’t mean he was a revolutionary.
Your servant in Christ Jesus,
[Timothy; which means “Honoring God” (Greek ~ Timotheus)]