The mention ends with the phrase "this is Simon the Cananite, of whom mention is made in the Gospel. James the Less, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot (Men Jesus Called - Part 6) by Mike Campagna on Vimeo. Western tradition is that he preached in Egypt and then went to Persia with St. Jude, where both suffered martyrdom. Accomplishments: Church tradition holds that after Christ's death and resurrection, Simon the Zealot spread the gospel in Egypt as a missionary and was martyred in Persia. In this story, Jesus sees the invalid lying by the pool of Bethesda and asks him, "Do you want to be healed?" Life Eastern Orthodox Churches Oriental Orthodoxy Catholic Church (Eastern and Roman) Anglicanism Lutheran Church. Since the story of The Chosen has grown increasingly complex in Season 2, it's a good idea to regularly review some relevant information from previous episodes (especially since there's not a regular "previously on The Chosen" segment). 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. Moses: The Old Testaments Greatest Prophet. Simon is mentioned occasionally in early church writings, but centuries after the gospels were written, Saint Jerome and others mistranslated Simons title, believing that Matthew and Mark referred to him as Simon the Cananite or Simon the Cananaean. You will see greater things than these. And he said to him, Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man. (John 1:43-51 ESV), Commentators throughout history have puzzled over the significance of Jesus telling Nathanael that he saw him while he was sitting under the fig tree. Simon the Zealot's greatest vice is also tied to his longings and his gifts. When his building collapses, Nathanael fears that his dream of building something great for God has collapsed as well. Jesus was the ultimate judge of character and saw an intensity in Simon the Zealot that would work well in spreading the gospel. 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. What aspects of these characters stuck out to you? In this account, in his second mission to Britain, he arrived during the first year of Boadicea's rebellion (60 AD). Invalids - people with debilitating sicknesses, injuries, or birth defects - would often congregate around these miraculous places like Bethesda in hopes of having their sicknesses healed. There are no early church records of Simon the Zealots ministry, so its hard to say where he spread the gospelbut presumably, he did. On the other hand, there also isn't strong evidence to the contrary. Today we'll be exploring what the Bible says about Simon and Nathanael and how The Chosen adapts them to the screen. They were also known to target Jews who were sympathetic to Rome. One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. He made disciples of men who had been fixed on the things of this world and changed their lives to focus on things that last forever. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The term Zealots comes from the Greek word zelotes that means emulator or zealous follower. 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.. And, who knows? What kinds of things do people today put their hope in? Even his moniker, the Zealot is ambiguous enough that we cant be sure what it meansthough there are several strong possibilities. Season 2 Reflection P1: What is The Chosen Season 2 about? He would then be the cousin of Jesus or a son of Joseph from a previous marriage. He lived true to the Great Commission after Jesus' ascension. From the perspective of understanding Nathanael, this story suggests (but doesn't require) that Nathanael may have had a background in fishing. Simon's background as a Zealot also establishes that he is a serious, disciplined, and *surprise* zealous person. We'll also take a closer look at the role of the Zealots, a radical group of Jewish nationalists, and the potential implications of Simon's affiliation with them. By the time the Gospels mention Simon (e.g. What do you think it looks like to stop putting hope in things that disappoint us, like the Pool of Bethesda, and to instead focus our hopes around Jesus? The Chosen recognizes this. The group formally known as the Zealots had strong associations with inciting rebellion out of a sense of liberty and patriotism. Occupation: The Bible does not tell us Simon's occupation, other than a disciple and missionary for Jesus Christ. One of Jesus' 12 disciples was known as Simon the Zealot (Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13). Simon born in Cana of Galilee who for his fervent affection for his Master and great zeal that he showed by all means to the Gospel, was surnamed Zelotes, having received the Holy Ghost from above, travelled through Egypt, and Africa, then through Mauretania and all Libya, preaching the Gospel. These cookies do not store any personal information. Did he leave the Zealots in order to join the Jesus movement, while continuing to be known for his past association? Eusebius, a Greek historian of Christianity, wrote that Simon the Zealot became the second bishop of Jerusalem. It is uncertain whether he was one of the group of Zealots, the Jewish nationalistic party before ad 70. I want the youth to enjoy it and not just see The Chosen as an elaborate preaching illustration. FYI: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Updates? After seeing his brother healed by Jesus, do you think he will continue to hope in violence to bring salvation? (John 5:4, KJV). Those who take the former view think Jesus may have chosen Simon, a member of the tax-hating, Roman-hating Zealots, to counterbalance Matthew, a former tax collector, and employee of the Roman empire. By the time the Gospels mention Simon (e.g. The first is the more substantial: Commentators throughout history have puzzled over the significance of Jesus telling Nathanael that he saw him while he was sitting under the fig tree. The connection between the two figures is invented in order to add depth to Simon's character and suggest thematic connections between their stories. Jesus was not afraid to identify himself with business men, laboring men, optimists, pessimists, philosophers, skeptics, publicans, politicians, and patriots. Related Truth: By the time the Gospels mention Simon (e.g. Older adaptations of the Gospels tended to depict Simon the Zealot and Nathanael in this way, if they depicted them at all. When Jesus cleanses the temple in the Gospel of John, his disciples recall Psalm 69:10, implying that Jesus was motivated by zeal: His disciples remembered that it is written: Zeal for your house will consume me.. In some versions of the Bible (such as the Amplified Bible), Simon is called Simon the Cananaean, which is from the Aramaic word for zealot. If you liked this post, you might want to check out some of my other posts on The Chosen and Bible adaptation. What do you think we're supposed to conclude? Nathanael's prologue establishes his aspiration to be a great architect. 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)]. It is uncertain whether he was one of the group of Zealots, the Jewish nationalistic party before ad 70. Why or why not? Narrative Ambiguity & Charitable Reading. 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. If you liked this post, you might want to check out some of my other posts on The Chosen and Bible adaptation. Simon was known for being (or once having been) a Zealot. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/simon-the-zealot-mystery-apostle-701071. And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. In the English Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, New International Version, and New Living Translation he is called Simon the Zealot. This would be very in-keeping with the Gospel of John, which is quite interested in the way people initially respond to Jesus with faith when he does a miracle but eventually fall away when he doesn't something inexplicable or the water gets too hot. In the Gospels, he is mentioned in three places, but only to list his name with the twelve disciples. Nothing further is known about him from the New Testament. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. In The Chosen, during Season 2, Episode 4, Simon the Zealot is reunited with his brother, Jesse, after years of separation. 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. [15], Another tradition states that he traveled in the Middle East and Africa. 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. [21], In art, Simon has the identifying attribute of a saw because according to tradition he was martyred by being sawn in half. Meet the Apostle John: 'The Disciple Jesus Loved', The Role the Four Evangelists Play in Christianity, M.A., English Composition, Illinois State University, B.S., English Literature, Illinois State University. 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). As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, called Peter and his brother Andrew. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, See, you are well! 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. As The Chosen shifted its attention toward the formation of the church in Season 2, it would have been quite easy for the show to fill up the remaining roster of the disciples with two-dimensional background characters. 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. Now that day was the Sabbath. Also Known as: Simon the Cananaean; Simon the Canaanite; Simon Zelotes. But its unclear when exactly this group started going by this name. In any case, the gospel writers used this description to distinguish this Simon from Simon Peterand the other Simons in the New Testament. That's why The Chosen works to portray each new disciple as a fully-realized, three-dimensional person with a unique set of longings, gifts, and vices that ultimately demand a saving encounter with the person of Jesus. Why was he mad at Jesus? Episode 7 Guide: Did Nicodemus Follow Jesus? Only the first person to reach the stirring waters was healed. Just as it's important for every character in an ensemble to contribute in a meaningful way, it's also important for each of them to have unique weaknesses, vulnerabilities, or vices. 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. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. The scribe copying the passage may have added this line to explain why the waters brought healing, since it was confusing to readers in his day. The only biblical references to Simon the Zealot are found in listings of the 12 disciples (Matthew 10:4, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:15, and Acts 1:13). Season 2 Reflection P2: What was The Chosen Season 2 about? His painful backstory and longing for justice serve as an excuse/justification for him to engage in acts of violent vengeance. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Some have suggested that Jesus is cryptically alluding to the fig leaves of Genesis 3. [10][11], James Tissot, Saint Simon, Brooklyn Museum. How did Jesus meet Simon Peter? (NIV), Acts 1:13When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. We also need to think about how their characters are shaped by the structure of The Chosen and the demands of modern screen adaptation. Based on these references, we only know a few facts: Simon was one of Jesus' original apostles, Simon continued to be one of the apostles after the Ascension. You are the King of Israel! Jesus answered him, Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? Heres how Josephus described the Fourth Philosophy which became known as the Zealots: These men agree in all other things with the Pharisaic notions; but they have an inviolable attachment to liberty, and say that God is to be their only Ruler and Lord. Logos Bible Software 10 review: Do you REALLY need it? Bartholomew was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus (e.g., Matthew 10:3). Simon was powerless to prevent it. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. By the time the Gospels mention Simon (e.g. 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. And they took offense at him. 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. 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. Facts 1 and 2 are true of most of the disciples. (NIV). The Zealots were a group of Jews who believed that God had called them to overthrow the Roman Empire through physical force. Vespasian became emperor and granted Josephus Roman citizenship. (John 5:10-16 ESV), The ending of this story in the Gospel of John seems to suggest that the invalid, after getting healed by Jesus, turns into a snitch, reporting Jesus to the Pharisees. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. I was half-right. Who was he? [13] However, Moses of Chorene writes that he was martyred at Weriosphora in Caucasian Iberia. Nathanael's aspiration to build great things for God becomes a kind of excuse/justification that allows his arrogance to grow out of control, until it finally lands him in tragedy. While The Chosen Season 2 Episode 4 closes on a happy note, with Jesse joyfully dancing on his new legs full of gratitude to Jesus, the original account of this story in the Gospel of John ends much more ambivalently: The ending of this story in the Gospel of John seems to suggest that the invalid, after getting healed by Jesus, turns into a snitch, reporting Jesus to the Pharisees. Eastern tradition claims he died of old age in Edessa. So what does this title mean? In the Bible there is no indication that Simon the Zealot was related to the paralyzed man at the Pool of Bethesda. As a former assassin, he is the most physically formidable of the disciples. Like most of the other apostles, Simon the Zealot deserted Jesus during his trial and crucifixion. by Ryan Nelson | Aug 7, 2019 | Bible characters. In The Chosen, Nathanael is portrayed as an architect in order to give his character depth and perhaps because the biblical story that features him contains a reference to Jacob's ladder. The Gospels tell us almost nothing about him, but they all list him as one of the twelve disciples. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. 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.. Nathanael's vices are tied to both his longings and his gifts . Simon is remembered (with Jude) in the Church of England with a Festival on 28 October. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. "Meet Simon the Zealot: A Mystery Apostle." 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. We have one tantalizing bit of information about him, which has led to ongoing debates among Bible scholars. Although its worth noting, in the Talmud, Jewish rabbis advocated for peace as well, and the Zealots ignored them. (2022, April 8). Indeed, for most viewers, the ability to relate to the characters on a show is paramount. On Pauls third missionary journey, Jews and Jewish Christians who were zealous for the Law wanted to kill Paul (Acts 21:20; 23:1214).
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