Understanding the Twelve- Simon the Zealot

15 Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot;

Luke 6:15

We have come to our final two disciples. Even though these are the last two for us to discuss, that does not mean that they are any less or more greater than the ten other men that we have discussed. As we have seen, Jesus called the men to Him who would fulfill the role of sharing the gospel and growing the church, which includes our final two disciples. We have already seen two other disciples, whom we had to analyze based on what is not mentioned about them, and that includes the disciple today. With that said, let’s look at Simon the Zealot.

Based on what we have learned about the other disciples and what we don’t hear about Simon the Zealot, I believe we can infer a couple of things about him. He was not a hot-head wanting to call down fire like James and John, the Sons of Thunder. He didn’t question Jesus like Peter. He didn’t actively bring individuals to Jesus as Andrew did. However, this shows something about his character. Simon was there, soaking in the words of Jesus. There is no mention of him questioning Jesus because Simon believed Jesus at His word. There is no mention of Simon bringing individuals to Jesus because, I believe, he wanted to ensure that he understood what Jesus was calling them to do. Simon was preparing to be sent out to share the gospel and knew that he needed as much information as possible in order to complete his mission.

What we can use to learn more about him is the “Zealot” name attached to Simon. Now, you might first think of a Zealot in the sense of a devoted person willing to fight and kill for their blind faith. This usage of the word would actually come about after Simon’s day during the Jewish rebellion and the ultimate Roman dispersion of the Jewish people outside of Israel.

The word is defined as “to have a warmth of feeling for or against.” Most understand the word in the negative aspects, as we have previously discussed. I find it hard to believe that the negative implication of this word would have applied to Simon. Imagine Jesus, whose ministry was defined by “loving your neighbor,” calling Simon the Zealot to ministry if the word only meant “compassionately against” or other words, “hater.” In chapter one of Acts, we see Simon still has this as part of his name; if he were a hater who was transformed by Christ, his name would have changed, like Simon to Peter or Saul to Paul. Yet, we find the name continued to be Simon the Zealot, which implies that it was for the first aspect of the definition. Nevertheless, let’s look at what scripture says about the word “Zealot” and see why such a word had such a connection to Simon.

Our first glimpse is found in Acts 21:20 “When they heard it, they glorified God and said, “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law.” Jews who believed in Jesus as the Messiah were compassionate toward the law. They dug into the Old Testament teachings, seeking to better understand their Messiah. This is why Jesus said in Luke 24:44“Then He said to them, “These [are] the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and [the] Prophets and [the] Psalms concerning Me.” They were identified as zealous, just like Simon was.

It is next used in a manner that appears to be negative at first glance. Acts 22:1-4“Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now.” 2 And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept all the more silent. Then he said: 3 “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. 4 “I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.” Paul identifies their passion for the Lord. This passion was misplaced, but was passionate towards God. When man is passionate towards God but does not have God living in his or her life, he or she will be guided astray. Examine Galatians 1:14, Paul testifies to his own misplaced zeal. Simon was called the Zealot, and yet we see virtually nothing about him questioning Jesus or causing a scene, as some of the other disciples did. In fact, the lack of reporting would further express his desire to be with Jesus and to listen. Simon’s zealousness was, in fact, passionately focused on Christ and Christ alone.

Paul further helps us understand the word usage by applying it to believers who should want spiritual gifts from their Heavenly Father. 1 Corinthians 14:12 “Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual [gifts,] [let it be] for the edification of the church [that] you seek to excel.” When we are zealous for the Lord, we will desire the things of God. A heart that is in tune with the Lord will ask God how they should act to follow through with the commandment of being holy. 1 Peter 1:16 “For the scriptures say, ‘you must be holy because I am holy.” Simon must have truly cared what Jesus intended for them to hear and desire.

Finally, Paul and Titus both help us understand that Simon was a predecessor for us to examine regarding being Zealots ourselves. Titus 2:14 “who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself [His] own special people, zealous for good works.” And 1 Peter 3:13 “Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?”

Simon the Zealot is one of the least discussed disciples. Yet, his title helps identify the true compassion and desire he had for Jesus Christ. This desire, without question, continued because Simon was identified as the “Zealot” after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension. Simon was a deeply motivated and compassionate scripture-seeking follower of God, who only wished to have the spiritual gifts to glorify God and share the good news of Jesus Christ. If only the Church had more Simons, willing to seek the Lord no matter what. If only the Church had more Simons with the desire to follow, know, and act according to what the Lord has provided.

Seek the truth and encourage one another,

Alex