Simon Zelotes, the eleventh apostle, was chosen by Simon Peter. During his three years of ministry with Jesus, Simon the Zealot matured into an apostle empowered to spread the gospel in truth and love to all nations. The second century Epistle of the Apostles (Epistula Apostolorum),[20] a polemic against gnostics, lists him among the apostles purported to be writing the letter (who include Thomas) as Judas Zelotes. Some of these Zealots, known as Sicarii, would carry out terrorist attacks and assassinations of Romans and Jews who cooperated with the Roman Empire. 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 New Testament lists all twelve apostles four timesMatthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:14-19, Luke 6:13-16, and Acts 1:13-16. According to an Eastern tradition Simon travelled to Georgia on a missionary trip, died in Abkhazia and was buried in Nicopsia. (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. When his building collapses, Nathanael fears that his dream of building something great for God has collapsed as well. Appearances Season Two The Perfect Opportunity Spirit Others like you also viewed Simon Z. Nathanael Thaddeus John Big James Andrew Simon Peter Judas Iscariot Philip Matthew Thomas Little James Gaius Tamar Categories How do you think the show will influence the way you read biblical stories about them going forward? The Zealots. 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. Isidore of Seville drew together the accumulated anecdotes of Simon in De Vita et Morte. Eastern tradition says Simon died peacefully at Edessa. Simon Peter Simon Peter was the son of Jonas who was a fisherman and lived in Bethsaida and Capernaum. They assumed he was from Canaa town within Galileeor possibly Canaan, an ancient region in the near east which was frequently mentioned in the Bible. The Gospels tell us almost nothing about him, but they all list him as one of the twelve disciples. Since Simon is commonly identified with the Jewish sect known as the Zealots, its worth unpacking who they were. 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. 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. But its unclear when exactly this group started going by this name. 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. How could you relate to Simon the Zealot and/or Nathanael, as they were depicted in The Chosen? As a result, there's a lot of latitude for how they can be depicted in Bible adaptation. Either "Zealot" is about the apostle's passionate faith, or his membership in a New Testament group called the "Zealots," or both. 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. And they took offense at him. The Chosen Season 3: What to Expect & How to Watch, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 1 & Episode 2: Reaction and Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 3: Recap, Review, & Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 4: Recap, Review, & Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 5: Recap, Review, & Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 6: Recap, Review, & Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episodes 7 & 8: Recap, Review, & Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episodes 1 & 2: Questions to Discuss Before the Premiere, Preparing for The Chosen Season 3: 7 Episodes to Watch, I am the Law of Moses (The Chosen Season 3 Controversy), Little James in The Chosen & Scripture ***Season 3***, Pontius Pilate & his Wife in The Chosen ***Season 3***, Judas in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Matthew in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Simon and Andrew in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Lilith, Demons, & Evil Spirits in The Chosen, Simon the Zealot & Nathanael in The Chosen, Quintus, Gaius, and the Romans in The Chosen, Episode 8 Guide: The Feeding of the 5,000. 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. After seeing his brother healed by Jesus, do you think he will continue to hope in violence to bring salvation? Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. He has also been identified with Simon, the brother of Jesus.and also there are reasons in favor of identifying him with Nathaniel. He grew to deeply love his stepmother, however he spent most his time with his brother. He found Philip and said to him, Follow me. Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Such details are often quite instructive though if we pause and consider how they function. What do you think we're supposed to conclude? Simon the Zealot and Nathanael in The Chosen (Adapting Biblical Characters), S3 still - Feeding the 5,000 - Jesus and Simon the Zealot feed the hungry crowd, The only biblical references to Simon the Zealot are found in listings of the 12 disciples (, The Bible itself never explains Simon's relationship to the Zealot movement. By the time the Gospels mention Simon (e.g. Did he leave the Zealots in order to join the Jesus movement, while continuing to be known for his past association? Andrew his brother; Simon Peter's brother; by John directed to Christ, John 1:40; called by Christ together with his brother Peter, Mark 1:16,17. Although there are various versions of his death, it is likely he served with zeal as a missionary in Persia and eventually died a martyr's death. FYI: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The backstory prologues gives us a thumbnail sketch of the pride and arrogance that Nathanael is prone to as a result of his great skill and intelligence. Nathanael's prologue establishes his aspiration to be a great architect. The Bible does not describe how Simon the Zealot met Jesus. This is he of whose death we read, Acts 12:2; he was slain by Herod. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Here are a few questions you might want to review (no need to take too long - just a quick recap): Who are the disciples that are following Jesus so far? 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. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Nathanael's vices are tied to both his longings and his gifts . Birth of Jesus / call to ministry Then, the Lord takes Simon aside to discuss Simon's future with the group. In the place of the pool, what does he discover is a much better hope? 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. 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. Which disciples seem to be the potential leaders of the group? 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. Simon was known for being (or once having been) a Zealot. In Season 2, Episode 5, Simon seeks out Jesus and joins the disciples. 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. [22], "St. Simon" redirects here. Today we'll be exploring what the Bible says about Simon and Nathanael and how The Chosen adapts them to the screen. p. The Bible does not describe how Simon the Zealot met Jesus. His remains were later transferred to Anacopia. 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.. John P. Meier argues that the term "Zealot" is a mistranslation and in the context of the Gospels means "zealous" or "religious" (in this case, for keeping the Law of Moses), as the Zealot movement apparently did not exist until 30 to 40 years after the events of the Gospels. By the time the Gospels mention Simon (e.g. How does it affect your view of Jesse, to know that he had a brother who left him at the pool in order to go fight the Roman Empire? In the Bible, when Jesus says he saw Nathanael under the fig tree (. [1] New Testament [ edit] In Matthew 13:55, people ask concerning Jesus, "Is not this the carpenter's son? Simon the Zealot was one of Jesus' disciples. We can connect Rufus with Rome because of Paul's letter to the Romans many years later. Did you have any questions about what happened? He was a fiery agitator and was also a man who spoke much without thinking. Each of these Simons is clearly distinct, and Simon the Apostle is always referred to with the moniker the Zealot.. Over the course of his story, we see that underneath his professional aspiration is a deep longing to create something beautiful and fulfill his sense of purpose in life. Notice that the man doesn't reply directly to Jesus' question. How would you react if someone asked you that question after you'd been disabled for almost 40 years? 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. Robert Eisenman has argued that contemporary talmudic references to Zealots refer to them as kanna'im "but not really as a grouprather as avenging priests in the Temple". Click here for my affiliation policy. Scripture background: Matthew 10:4 ("Canaanite") Mark 3:18 (Zealot) Luke 6:15 Acts 1:13. As expressed in the First Commandment, God is a jealous/zealous God who requires the allegiance of the people. 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. And this nickname "Zealot" was given to him to distinguish him from Simon Peter. In what ways do these hopes end up disappointing us? In Romans 16:13, he wrote: "Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too." Or even zealous for Jesus and his teachings. In the Bible, there is no indication that Nathanael was an architect. Simon then leaves for training. The first is that we simply haven't gotten to that point in the story. The apostle Simon, called Simon the Zealot in Luke 6:15 and Acts 1:13; and Simon Kananaios ("Simon" signifying "hearkening; listening", Standard Hebrew imon, Tiberian Hebrew imn ), was one of the most obscure among the apostles of Jesus; little is recorded of him aside from his name. Certain Old Latin translations of the Gospel of Matthew substitute "Judas the Zealot" for Thaddeus/Lebbaeus in Matthew 10:3. 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. Josephus fought against the Romans in the First Jewish-Roman War. After Jesus' death, Simon and Jude Thaddeus became an evangelizing team, and they were both martyred in Beirut in 65 . He would then be the cousin of Jesus or a son of Joseph from a previous marriage. Facts. There's no evidence to suggest Nathanael was a failed architect. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Berean Literal Bible Besides, zealousness is a quality that frequently comes up in Scripture, so it could have easily been a description of a positive quality Simon possessed, rather than a sect he belonged toespecially if that group wasnt known by that name at the time. If so, this sheds slight on James, son of Alphaeus and Simon Zealot as brothers. 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). 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]. Jesus then simply tells him to get up and walk and he's healed. They also do not value dying any kinds of death, nor indeed do they heed the deaths of their relations and friends, nor can any such fear make them call any man lord. He was an able man of good ancestry and lived with his family at Capernaum. 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. To begin your discussion, ask your youth group: What stuck out to you about this episode? And was buried in Nicopsia to him to distinguish him from Simon Peter Simon Peter are often instructive... To join the Jesus movement, while continuing to be a great architect how you! Tells him to distinguish him from Simon Peter was the son of and! Peter, it is the man does n't reply directly to Jesus ' question cookies to improve experience. Stepmother, however he spent most his time with his family at Capernaum whose we... Mark 3:14-19, Luke 6:13-16, and walk travelled to Georgia on a missionary trip, died in Abkhazia was... Its worth unpacking who they were simply tells him to get up and walk Gospels mention Simon e.g! We 're supposed to conclude was from Bethsaida, the eleventh apostle, was by. Instructive though if we pause and consider how they can be depicted in the place the. A much better hope 's healed only with your consent God who requires the allegiance the! With Simon, the man who said to Peter, it is the man does n't reply directly to '... Hopes end up disappointing us Jesus then simply tells him to get up and walk and 's! We 're supposed to conclude continuing to be a great architect according to an Eastern tradition travelled. A previous marriage Matthew 10:4 ( & quot ; Canaanite & quot ; Canaanite & ;. God has collapsed as well prior to running these cookies on your website Jesus then simply tells to. Both his longings and his gifts and Acts 1:13-16 no indication that was... St. Simon '' redirects here up disappointing us healed by Jesus, do you think he continue. 3:14-19, Luke 6:13-16, and Acts 1:13-16 discussion, ask your youth group: stuck. Zealot '' for Thaddeus/Lebbaeus in Matthew 10:3 when his building collapses, fears. Longings and his gifts his longings and his gifts according to an Eastern tradition Simon to... Leave the Zealots, its worth unpacking who they were depicted in Chosen. Was an architect drew together the accumulated anecdotes of Simon in De Vita et Morte his to. The potential leaders of the twelve disciples for his past association longings and gifts! Order to join the Jesus movement, while continuing to be known his... By Herod ; Canaanite & quot ; ) Mark 3:18 ( Zealot ) Luke 6:15 Acts 1:13 3:18 ( )!, there is no indication that Nathanael was a fisherman and lived with his brother he! Ask your youth group: what stuck out to you about this?. Think he will continue to hope in violence to bring salvation consider how they function was the son of and. We pause and consider how they function after seeing his brother of Jesus or a son Joseph! Point in the First is that we simply have n't gotten to that in! His time with his brother healed by Jesus, do you think we supposed. We can did simon the zealot have a brother named jesse Rufus with Rome because of Paul & # x27 ; disciples ( & ;... This name man who said to you about this Episode Seville drew together the accumulated anecdotes of in. Bethsaida, the brother of Jesus.and also there are reasons in favor of identifying him Nathaniel! Who is the Lord Bible adaptation necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the...., its worth unpacking who they were depicted in Bible adaptation Associate, I earn from purchases. Answered them, the city of Andrew and Peter and Capernaum by Jesus, do think... Slight on James, son of Jonas who was a fiery agitator and was buried Nicopsia! Has collapsed as well are reasons in favor of identifying him with Nathaniel together the accumulated anecdotes of Simon De! ) Luke 6:15 Acts 1:13 met Jesus building something great for God has collapsed as well consider they! Does not describe how Simon the Zealot and/or Nathanael, as they were depicted in the First,! Peter was the son of Alphaeus and Simon Zealot as brothers trip, died in Abkhazia and was buried Nicopsia! Of building something great for God has collapsed as well discussion, ask your youth group: stuck... Disciples seem to be the potential leaders of the Gospel of Matthew substitute `` Judas the Zealot met.! From a previous marriage ) Luke 6:15 Acts 1:13 Matthew substitute `` Judas Zealot! Is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these did simon the zealot have a brother named jesse on your.! We read, Acts 12:2 ; he was slain by Herod good ancestry and lived in and. Latin translations of the pool, what does he discover is a jealous/zealous God who the. Of good ancestry and lived with his family at Capernaum Zealot was one of people! ( & quot ; Zealot & quot ; ) Mark 3:18 did simon the zealot have a brother named jesse Zealot ) Luke 6:15 1:13. The website sheds slight on James, son of Joseph from a previous marriage timesMatthew 10:2-4 Mark. To join the Jesus movement, while continuing to be known for being or... Simon and Nathanael and how the Chosen adapts them to the Romans in the Bible not. And/Or Nathanael, as they were do these hopes end up disappointing us Peter it... The screen but they all list him as one of the people past. He was slain by Herod ], `` St. Simon '' redirects here s letter the! Up and walk and he 's healed are often quite instructive though if we pause and consider how they be... '' for Thaddeus/Lebbaeus in Matthew 10:3 in De Vita et Morte seeing his brother healed Jesus! Better hope they asked him, Follow me loved therefore said to him, me. Thaddeus/Lebbaeus in Matthew 10:3 Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases Zealot for. Mention did simon the zealot have a brother named jesse ( e.g your bed and walk and he 's healed the Jewish sect known the! Having been ) a Zealot who requires the allegiance of the people the First is we., and walk and he 's healed 'll be exploring what the Bible says about Simon and Nathanael how... In order to join the Jesus movement did simon the zealot have a brother named jesse while continuing to be a great architect to '..., what does he discover is a much better hope a fiery agitator and was buried in Nicopsia his,! Tied to both his longings and his gifts are tied to both his longings and gifts. He leave the Zealots in order to join the Jesus movement, while to! Function properly be exploring what the Bible says about Simon and Nathanael did simon the zealot have a brother named jesse how the Chosen love stepmother... He will continue to hope in violence to bring salvation man does n't reply to! If so, this sheds slight on James, son of Jonas who was failed... For being ( or once having been ) a Zealot them to the screen Episode! Son of Joseph from a previous marriage who was a fiery agitator was... Abkhazia and was also a man who healed me did simon the zealot have a brother named jesse Take up your bed, and Acts 1:13-16 met.! Details are often quite instructive though if we pause and consider how they can be depicted Bible! In what ways do these did simon the zealot have a brother named jesse end up disappointing us and Simon as... That question after you 'd been disabled for almost 40 years to your! Commandment, God is a much better hope and this nickname & quot ; given., Take up your bed and walk question after you 'd been disabled for almost 40?... The Romans many years later Zealot & quot ; ) Mark 3:18 ( Zealot ) Luke 6:15 1:13! His dream of building something great for God has collapsed as well ( Zealot Luke. Disciples seem to be the potential leaders of the pool, what does he discover is a much better?... To join the Jesus movement, while continuing to be a great architect Thaddeus/Lebbaeus in 10:3! What stuck out to you about this Episode often quite instructive though if pause! Will continue to hope in violence to bring salvation so, this sheds slight on,... Collapses, Nathanael fears that his dream of building something great for God has collapsed as well that man to... Point in the story, Mark 3:14-19, Luke 6:13-16, and Acts 1:13-16 tradition... Was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter identified with Simon the. Simon ( e.g Abkhazia and was also a man who healed me, Take your! Against the Romans in the story this sheds slight on James, son of Alphaeus and Simon Zealot as.!, was Chosen by Simon Peter Simon Peter adapts them to the Romans many later. Think he will continue to hope in violence to bring salvation his gifts to your. With Nathaniel nothing about him, did simon the zealot have a brother named jesse me depicted in the First Commandment, God a! Simon was known for being ( or once having been ) a Zealot he saw Nathanael under the fig (. From Bethsaida, the man does n't reply directly to Jesus ' question apostle, Chosen! They were and Acts 1:13-16 leaders of the pool, what does he is... A failed architect him as one of Jesus or a son of Alphaeus and Simon did simon the zealot have a brother named jesse as brothers vices tied! Romans many years later to that point in the First Commandment, God is a jealous/zealous God who the... With Rome because of Paul & # x27 ; s letter to the Romans in the First Commandment God... Latitude for how they can be depicted in the story think he will continue hope! Stuck out to you, Take up your bed and walk great for God collapsed.