Simon the Zealot, one of Jesus Christ 's 12 apostles, is a mystery character in the Bible. Zavada, Jack. The Bible tells us only a couple things about the man that Jesus healed at the Pool of Bethesda: He went to the pool in order to be healed by its reported power. 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. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Traditionally, it has been believed that Bartholomew was another name for Nathanael/Nathaniel. Jesus is depicting himself as the stairway between heaven and earth that Jacob once saw at Bethel. In The Chosen, during Season 2 Episode 4, Simon the Zealot is depicted as being the brother of the paralyzed man Jesus heals by the Pool of Bethesda, who is named Jesse in the show. Older adaptations of the Gospels tended to depict Simon the Zealot and Nathanael in this way, if they depicted them at all. Occupation: The Bible does not tell us Simon's occupation, other than a disciple and missionary for Jesus Christ. What emotions do you imagine you'd feel? 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)]. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. There's also a separate area for you to draw and take notes on your favorite biblical characters. How could you relate to Simon the Zealot and/or Nathanael, as they were depicted in The Chosen? 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. 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". 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. 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. The sketchiness of the invalid is further highlighted by how his healing in John 5 is closely mirrored by the healing of the man born blind in. When his building collapses, Nathanael fears that his dream of building something great for God has collapsed as well. By the time the Gospels mention Simon (e.g. And the same doctrine he taught to the Occidental Sea, and the Isles called Britanniae. Zeal is behavior motivated by the jealous desire to protect ones self, group, space, or time against violations. Berean Literal Bible In the context of the New Testament, the Zealots were a party zealous for Jewish independence and throwing off Roman rule. Have my posts about Bible adaptation helped you learn more about the Bible and explore it with your ministry or family? In the cultural context of the time, the idea of a stairway between heaven and earth would have evoked the image of a Babylonian ziggurat - one of the architectural wonders of the ancient world. (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. 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. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. There are several stories about how Simon the Zealot may have died. 1st century Cana, Galilee, Judaea, Roman Empire. Each of the apostles was chosen for a specific reason. He was one of the 12 main disciples of Jesus Christ, but he plays no particular role in the gospels and is only mentioned by name in lists of the apostles (Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:16-19, Luke 6:14-16, Acts 1:1-13). Their one and only goal was to overthrow the Roman government and their occupation of Israel. Saint Simon the Zealot. Facts. Simon was powerless to prevent it. When Jesus is arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter draws his sword and cuts off the ear of Malchus, the high priest's servant. Who is Simon in Bible? Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. Learn Religions. 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. Nathanael's vices are tied to both his longings and his gifts . The group formally known as the Zealots had strong associations with inciting rebellion out of a sense of liberty and patriotism. Matthew 10:4. Most scholars today believe kananaios comes from the Aramaic word qanan, meaning zealous one, which effectively makes Simons moniker the same in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Acts. Episode 8 Guide: The Woman at the Well, Eden, & Zohara, Christmas with The Chosen: The Messengers, The Chosen Season 2 Controversy (Jesus, the Bible, & the Process of Inspiration), Should Nicodemus Kneel? 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. Simon the Zealot (Acts 1:13, Luke 6:15) or Simon the Canaanite or Simon the Canaanean (Matthew 10:4, Mark 3:18; Greek: ; Coptic: -; Classical Syriac: )[3] was one of the most obscure among the apostles of Jesus. People often complain when a biblical adaptation adds to what the Bible says. Simon the Zealot's greatest vice is also tied to his longings and his gifts. How did Jesus meet Simon Peter? Heres how Josephus explains it in The Antiquities of the Jews: Yet was there one Judas, a Gaulonite; of a city whose name was Gamala; who, taking with him Saddouk, a Pharisee, became zealous to draw them to a revolt: who both said that this taxation was no better than an introduction to slavery: and exhorted the nation to assert their liberty.. There are numerous accounts of Simon the Zealots death, but the earliest records come centuries after his death. Verse Concepts. Sources "Who Were the Zealots in the Bible?" In Acts, a man known as Simon the Sorceror attempted to buy the power of the Holy Spirit from Peter (Acts 8:9-24). Ethiopian Christians believe he was crucified in Samaria. Some might have family members carry them back and forth from home and help them when needed, but others were basically homeless people who had to beg in order to get food and care. Simon was a man of intense loyalties and warm personal devotions, and he did profoundly love Jesus. If you liked this post, you might want to check out some of my other posts on The Chosen and Bible adaptation. The Golden Legend records that Simon preached in Egypt, then partnered with Judas, the brother of Jesus: Judas preached first in Mesopotamia and in Pontus, and Simon preached in Egypt, and from thence came they into Persia, and found there two enchanters, Zaroes and Arphaxat, whom S. Matthew had driven out of Ethiopia.. 16. On Pauls third missionary journey, Jews and Jewish Christians who were zealous for the Law wanted to kill Paul (Acts 21:20; 23:1214). Simon the Zealot is one of the greatest cases of the changing power of Christ. 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. Therefore, it is anachronistic to view people acting with zeal before 68 C.E. 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. Poorly-made religious films make the mistake of boiling down the diverse longings that lead people to God into a single uniform desire (usually a desire for love or for forgiveness). While there are some variations in the order the apostles appear and even the names they went by, Simon is listed in all of them. [18] Nikephoros I of Constantinople writes:[18][19]. The Chosen Season 4 Controversy? The mention ends with the phrase "this is Simon the Cananite, of whom mention is made in the Gospel. Why or why not? 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 Apostle Philip followed Peter, John, James, and Andrew in being called to serve as a disciple of Jesus. In The Chosen, during Season 2, Episode 4, Simon the Zealot is reunited with his brother, Jesse, after years of separation. We might wonder how Simon the Zealot reacted to that. He lived true to the Great Commission after Jesus' ascension. 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. 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. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Season 2 Reflection P1: What is The Chosen Season 2 about? 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). Eusebius states that after Simon become the second bishop of Jerusalem (a statement that agrees . When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Perhaps surprisingly, one of Christ's own disciples, Simon, was a member of the Zealots prior to meeting Jesus. Even his moniker, the Zealot is ambiguous enough that we cant be sure what it meansthough there are several strong possibilities. Or, he may have simply been zealous for the Lawor even zealous for Jesus or his teachings. The Bible does not tell us anything about Simon the Zealot before he met Jesus. How would you react if someone asked you that question after you'd been disabled for almost 40 years? https://www.learnreligions.com/simon-the-zealot-mystery-apostle-701071 (accessed May 1, 2023). Another account says he was crucified in 61 AD in Britain. Although its worth noting, in the Talmud, Jewish rabbis advocated for peace as well, and the Zealots ignored them. Do you remember his name? The New Testament records nothing more of Simon, aside from this multitude of possible but unlikely pseudonyms. The Bible gives us very little information about Simon the Zealot and no information about his family. Were there any scenes that you found interesting or moving? The Zealot party had a long history in Israel, formed by men who were passionate about obeying the commandments in the Torah, especially those that banned idolatry. The Bible does not describe how Simon the Zealot met Jesus. Such details are often quite instructive though if we pause and consider how they function. To confuse things further, Bible scholars argue over whether Simon was a member of the radical Zealot party or whether the term simply referred to his religious zeal. If Josephus account is reliable, its possible that Simon the Zealot did belong to this groupwhether or not it was formally known as the Zealots at the time he was involved or the time the gospels were written. Now that day was the Sabbath. I want the youth to enjoy it and not just see The Chosen as an elaborate preaching illustration. The appearances of Nathanael (in John 1 and John 21) function as a kind of framing device for John's Gospel. He was crucified 10 May 61 AD by the Roman Catus Decianus, at Caistor, modern-day Lincolnshire, Britain. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Did he leave the Zealots in order to join the Jesus movement, while continuing to be known for his past association? The Chosen Season 4 Controversy? 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 . Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. And it was in Gessius Floruss time that the nation began to grow mad with this distemper, who was our procurator, and who occasioned the Jews to go wild with it by the abuse of his authority, and to make them revolt from the Romans.. He discovers that Jesse has been healed by Jesus. What Does the Bible Say About Paying Taxes? Born. zealots. 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. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. 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. That's why I'm excited to share with you a new resource that I've created to help you study biblical adaptations & reflect on how they apply to everyday life. What did Simon the Zealot do before he met Jesus? Jesse initially hopes that the Pool of Bethesda will save him from his injury but ends up disappointed. As an apostle of Jesus Christ, Simon the Zealot would have been sent somewhere to spread the gospel, just as the other apostles were. In what ways do these hopes end up disappointing us? (John 5:4, KJV). Simon is the name of one of Jesus brothers (Mark 6:3), whos traditionally believed to have succeeded James as head of the church in Jerusalem. Updates? To begin your discussion, ask your youth group: What stuck out to you about this episode? We don't see any signs of Jesse responding to his healing in a sketchy way in Episode 4 of The Chosen Season 2. Did you have any questions about what happened? In the description of the Pool of Bethesda in the King James Version, we are told: Readers of most modern translations will notice that this verse is not included in the main text of their translation (but it is typically found in the footnotes). 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. In the Gospels, he is mentioned in three places, but only to list his name with the twelve disciples.
