The Disciples: Simon the Zealot
Simon the Zealot is one of the most obscure of the disciples.
The name Simon is a Greek name meaning to listen.
Luke listed in the list of the apostles, “Simon called Zelotes.” {Luke 6:14-16}
The Zealotes were a political movent in the Jewish temple of the first century. This group sought to incite a rebellion against the Roman Empire.
He is also referred to as Simon the Zealot in Matthew 10:4, Mark 3:18, and Acts 1:13. Each time he is mentioned is among a list of the disciples of Jesus.
He is also referred to as “the Caananite” or “the Cananean”, which depicts a place in Galilee where the Zealots were a faction of the time.
Using the term the Zealot help to differentiate him from Simon Peter.
Jesus had a brother named Simon {Matthew 13:55}, but Simon the Zealot is never specified to be his brother, as well as not specified he is not his brother.
One collection of the saints, written in the 13th Century, states “ “Simon the Cananaean and Judas Thaddeus were brethren of James the Less and sons of Mary Cleophas, which was married to Alpheus.” Again, there is no proof to either prove or disprove this theory.
There are various theories as to what happened to Simon the Zealot. The most commonly believed is he traveled to Samaria, Africa and Persia and was sawed in half in Persia for refusing to bow to the sun god.
He is buried in the same tomb as St. Jude Thaddeus at St. Peter’s Biscilia in Rome.
He is often seen holding a saw and is the patron saint of curriers, sawyers, and tanners.