What has Simon the Zealot put his hope in to bring salvation? The Bible does not give us his name or mention anyone to whom he was related. As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, called Peter and his brother Andrew. 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 really did know a Zealot named Simon. Liberty, the Law, and/or the Lord. After watching The Chosen, have you ever felt inspired to create your own work of Bible Art or biblical adaptation? Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. (2022, April 8). When his building collapses, Nathanael fears that his dream of building something great for God has collapsed as well. Who was he? We know almost nothing about Simon the Zealot. 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. After the first three episodes of Season 2, I prematurely predicted that The Chosen was departing from its Season 1 emphasis on personal encounters with Jesus in order to focus instead on the formation of a community surrounding Jesus. 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). To distinguish him from Simon Peter he is called Kananaios or Kananites, depending on the manuscript (Matthew 10:4 Mark 3:18), and in the list of apostles in Luke 6:15, repeated in Acts 1:13, Zelotes, the "Zealot". There are numerous accounts of Simon the Zealots death, but the earliest records come centuries after his death. Some of these Pharisees witnessed the healing of Jesse and saw how Jesus told him to get up and take his mat and walk. Update: Learn more about how The Chosen adapts Simon the Zealot. I offer my work for free and rely on the generous support of readers like you. 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. The Bible does not describe how Simon the Zealot met Jesus. When Jesus was carrying his cross on his way to be crucified, a man named Simon from Cyrene was forced to help him (Mark 15:21). By the time the Gospels mention Simon (e.g. 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. 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. In the Bible, there is no indication that Nathanael was an architect. As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, called Peter and his brother Andrew. Simon was called by Jesus and was completely changed. Study now. 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. Even his moniker, the Zealot is ambiguous enough that we cant be sure what it meansthough there are several strong possibilities. The Apostle Philip followed Peter, John, James, and Andrew in being called to serve as a disciple of Jesus. Saint Simon the Apostle, also called Simon the Zealot, (flourished 1st century addied, Persia or Edessa, Greece? Explain that this episode of The Chosen Season 2 will be exploring many of these questions imaginatively, filling in the details that the Bible leaves us to wonder about. In the King James Version and New King James Version, he is called Simon the Canaanite or Cananite. Eusebius states that after Simon become the second bishop of Jerusalem (a statement that agrees . So who was this person the Bible calls Simon the Zealot, and what do we actually know about him? Josephus fought against the Romans in the First Jewish-Roman War. Episode 1: What do we do when we are scared? We are exposed to the indignities and oppression he witnessed as a young man and sympathize with his desire to make things right. Isidore of Seville drew together the accumulated anecdotes of Simon in De Vita et Morte. [6] However, neither Brandon[7] nor Hengel[8] support this view. In the Bible there is no indication that Simon the Zealot was related to the paralyzed man at the Pool of Bethesda. 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. If thats what the Zealot refers to, then like Matthew the Tax Collector, the Apostle Simons presence among the Twelve represents a powerful picture of the gospel. 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. Narrative Ambiguity & Charitable Reading. How did Jesus meet Simon Peter? Perhaps surprisingly, one of Christ's own disciples, Simon, was a member of the Zealots prior to meeting Jesus. He is the author "Hope for Hurting Singles: A Christian Guide to Overcoming Life's Challenges. A common interpretation of the title "Zealot" credited to Simon is that before he became a disciple of Jesus, he was a member of or affiliated with the radical Jewish group called the Zealots. 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". Which disciples seem to be the potential leaders of the group? Scripture tells us almost nothing about Simon. 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. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Simon-the-Apostle. In the English Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, New International Version, and New Living Translation he is called Simon the Zealot. Season 2 Reflection P2: What was The Chosen Season 2 about? I'm sure that's why The Chosen decided to make Simon a. Occupation: The Bible does not tell us Simon's occupation, other than a disciple and missionary for Jesus Christ. And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. The Chosen follows this theory and portrays Simon as a Zealot who gives up his violent ways in order to follow Jesus. 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). The Gospels tell us almost nothing about him, but they all list him as one of the twelve disciples. As a teaser for the future, explain to your students: You might have noticed Shmuel, the Pharisee who opposed Jesus in The Chosen Season 1, was back and joined by a new group of Pharisees. Because Gods holiness will not tolerate idolatry or other violations against the covenant (Exod 20:5; Deut 5:9), God will punish the whole nation for such offenses unless someone acts on behalf of Godzealous with Gods jealous angerto kill or root out the offenders.. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. Some have suggested that Jesus is cryptically alluding to the fig leaves of Genesis 3. The Bible itself never explains Simon's relationship to the Zealot movement. In a post-GOT world, however, audiences are more willing than they once were to engage with a broad cast of well-developed characters. Have my posts about Bible adaptation helped you learn more about the Bible and explore it with your ministry or family? PROUDLY CREATED WITH WIX.COM. something. I'm sure that's why The Chosen decided to make Simon a former Zealot who has repented and turned to Jesus. 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. Season 2 Reflection P1: What is The Chosen Season 2 about? Notice that the man doesn't reply directly to Jesus' question. 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". New Living Translation Simon (the zealot), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him). "[14], In later tradition, Simon is often associated with Jude the Apostle as an evangelizing team; in Western Christianity, they share their feast day on 28 October. Weaknesses prevent characters from appearing over-powered and instead provide a hook that helps connect them to viewers. The Bible does not tell us anything about Simon the Zealot before he met Jesus. 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. 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. Nathanael's vices are tied to both his longings and his gifts . He was one of the original followers of Christ. What has Jesse the Invalid put his hope in to bring salvation? . 1st century Cana, Galilee, Judaea, Roman Empire. His kingdom is eternal. How did Jesus meet Simon Peter? But heres what we know. His painful backstory and longing for justice serve as an excuse/justification for him to engage in acts of violent vengeance. From the perspective of understanding Nathanael, this story suggests (but doesn't require) that Nathanael may have had a background in fishing. Those scholars say such a move by Jesus would have shown that his kingdom reaches out to people in all walks of life. Thank you! Jesus can't just throw out tantalizing lines about seeing Nathanael under the fig tree and then never explain what he means - we need to see the backstory and understand the personal significance of Jesus' words. Did the healing of the invalid man by the Pool of Bethesda play out like you expected? For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. But the group known as the Zealots may not have existed at the time the gospels took placepossibly not even when they were written. Season 2 Reflection P1: What is The Chosen Season 2 about? This is because this line is not found in the earliest Greek manuscripts of the passage and most scholars believe that it was not in the original Gospel of John. Why or why not? To begin your discussion, ask your youth group: What stuck out to you about this episode? Ethiopian Christians believe he was crucified in Samaria. To watch this season with your group, you'll need to pick up The Chosen app (Google / Apple). Venerated in. Eastern tradition says Simon died peacefully at Edessa. 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? Come and See is a devotional journal designed specifically for studying Bible movies and shows like The Chosen. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. It could mean he belonged to a Jewish sect known as the Zealots. 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? Some Jewish people might have believed this was because God had blessed these places, but others believed that these healing centers were connected to pagan gods like Asclepius. Vespasian became emperor and granted Josephus Roman citizenship. In any case, the gospel writers used this description to distinguish this Simon from Simon Peterand the other Simons in the New Testament. Jesus was not afraid to identify himself with business men, laboring men, optimists, pessimists, philosophers, skeptics, publicans, politicians, and patriots. By making Nathanael an architect, The Chosen has assigned his character a unique (albeit rarely needed) skill (building/design). 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. The Bible gives us very little information about Simon the Zealot and no information about his family. 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. 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 . Season 2 Reflection P2: What was The Chosen Season 2 about? Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Omissions? Carrying a mat around was forbidden on the Sabbath, so we can expect that their conflict with Jesus about this to come up in next episode of The Chosen Season 2. 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.. Such details are often quite instructive though if we pause and consider how they function. 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. [citation needed]. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 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., The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. This site uses cookies to analyze traffic and ensure you get the best experience. 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. Click here for my affiliation policy. He supposedly preached the Gospel in Egypt and then joined the apostle St. Judas (Thaddaeus) in Persia, where, according to the apocryphal Acts of Simon and Judas, he was martyred by being cut in half with a saw, one of his chief iconographic symbols (another being a book). A Pharisee named Simon invited Jesus over for dinner, where a sinful woman famously poured perfume on Jesus feet (Luke 7:40). Apparently the titles may have been an attempt to distinguish him from the apostle St. Simon Peter. Because Season 2 of The Chosen is more focused on the drama of the budding Jesus community, however, the pre-Jesus backstories of its major new characters (Nathanael, Simon the Zealot, and Judas) have to be condensed and delivered in the episode prologues. . [10], Simon, like the other Apostles, is regarded as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Churches, the Oriental Orthodox Churches, the Eastern Catholic Churches, the churches of the Anglican Communion and the Lutheran Church. Episode 7 Guide: Did Nicodemus Follow Jesus? Do you remember his name? The Chosen Season 4 Controversy? 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. Simon was a man of intense loyalties and warm personal devotions, and he did profoundly love Jesus. 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. In some versions of the Bible (such as the Amplified Bible), he is called Simon the Cananaean. Facts 1 and 2 are true of most of the disciples. and Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot; Matthew 10:2. This version is the one found in the Golden Legend. 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. Eastern Orthodox Churches Oriental Orthodoxy Catholic Church (Eastern and Roman) Anglicanism Lutheran Church. 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. So what does this title mean? Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. If you liked this post, you might want to check out some of my other posts on The Chosen and Bible adaptation. 2010-11-26 00:36:58. Indeed, for most viewers, the ability to relate to the characters on a show is paramount. The Zealots were a political movement among Jews who sought to overthrow the occupying Roman government. 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. The second story including Nathanael takes place in the final chapter of John: The relationship between these two narratives is really interesting and worth further study, but I won't get into that right now. The word we translate as apostle (apstolos) literally means one who is sent.. How could you relate to Simon the Zealot and/or Nathanael, as they were depicted in The Chosen? How did Jesus meet Simon Peter? (John 5:4, KJV). Older adaptations of the Gospels tended to depict Simon the Zealot and Nathanael in this way, if they depicted them at all. 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. Berean Standard Bible Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus. The New Testament records nothing more of Simon, aside from this multitude of possible but unlikely pseudonyms. It also makes it clear that Nathanael continued to be a disciple of Jesus into the resurrection period. 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. However, Josephus attempted to trace the groups origins back to a small uprising by a man named Judas of Galilee, who stirred up a rebellion due to a Roman census in 6 ADthe very same Roman census which Luke says led Mary and Joseph to Nazareth, where Jesus was born. Who Was Simon the Zealot? Or he may have simply been zealous for the Mosaic Law. As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, called Peter and his brother Andrew. 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. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The term Zealots comes from the Greek word zelotes that means emulator or zealous follower. 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. 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. 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. ; Western feast day October 28, Eastern feast day June 19), one of the Twelve Apostles. (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. By the time the Gospels mention Simon (e.g. 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. 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. Another odd aspect of Simon's appointment was that the Zealots generally agreed with the Pharisees, as far as legalistic observance of the commandments. [13] However, Moses of Chorene writes that he was martyred at Weriosphora in Caucasian Iberia. The appearances of Nathanael (in John 1 and John 21) function as a kind of framing device for John's Gospel. In the thirteenth century, Jacobus de Varagine compiled numerous biographies of the saints into The Golden Legend, where centuries after Jerome, the error was repeated: Simon is as much to say as obedient, or being in heaviness. Matthew and Mark give him the title kananaios, which most scholars believe comes from the Aramaic word qan'an, meaning "zealous one." So what does this title mean? Their tactic was to mingle in crowds during festivals, slip up behind a victim, then kill him with their Sicari, or short curved knife. As The Chosen has showed us at various points, the Romans were hated by most of the Jews, who viewed them as oppressive enemies. Western tradition is that he preached in Egypt and then went to Persia with St. Jude, where both suffered martyrdom. Or even zealous for Jesus and his teachings. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/simon-the-zealot-mystery-apostle-701071. 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. You are the King of Israel! Jesus answered him, Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? As an apostle of Jesus Christ, Simon the Zealot would have been sent somewhere to spread the gospel, just as the other apostles were. Hes never mentioned in the Gospel of John, but John never explicitly lists all the apostles.This means Simon was one of the people who was closest to Jesus, and that he spent about three years living with him, witnessing his miracles, and hearing his teachings. In The Chosen, during Season 2, Episode 4, Simon the Zealot is reunited with his brother, Jesse, after years of separation. Other scholars disagree. Like many of the apostles, its hard to conclude exactly which tradition (if any) can be trusted: Like many of the lesser-known apostles, most of Simon the Zealots life and identity remains a mystery, and the few details the Bible gives us has led to centuries of speculation, little of which can be confirmed or denied. There are no early church records of Simon the Zealots ministry, so its hard to say where he spread the gospelbut presumably, he did. Or did he in fact find a way to straddle the two movements? In what ways do these hopes end up disappointing us? When did Simon Peter first meet Jesus? What did Simon the Zealot do before he met Jesus? They are number nine, ten and eleven in the list of the disciples. In Episode 6 of The Chosen Season 1, Jesus faced opposition from a Pharisee in Capnernaum. Simon the Zealot is one of the most obscure apostles. 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)]. The Pool of Bethesda was specifically known to heal people only at a specific time - when the waters had been stirred up. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. [22], "St. Simon" redirects here. He would then be the cousin of Jesus or a son of Joseph from a previous marriage. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Also known as: Kananaios, Simon the Cananean, Simon the Zealot, the Cananaean. 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. Bible References: Simon the Zealot is mentioned in Matthew 10:4, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:15, andActs 1:13. 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. Narrative Ambiguity & Charitable Reading. In the place of the pool, what does he discover is a much better hope? These cookies do not store any personal information. Its unclear when the group formally became known as the Zealots. The second explanation is that the show wanted this story to have a happy ending and so it significantly changed it to end in the desired place. Some interpreters have seen it as an allusion to 1 Kings 4:25, which describes the reign of King Solomon, to whom "son of God" language is sometimes applied (e.g., Psalm 2). After all, when we see a glaring vice in a character, most of us can either see it in ourselves or in other people we know. Why do you think The Chosen made Simon the Zealot and Jesse the Invalid brothers? Therefore, it is anachronistic to view people acting with zeal before 68 C.E. One of Jesus' 12 disciples was known as Simon the Zealot (Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13). Simon is remembered (with Jude) in the Church of England with a Festival on 28 October.
How Much Is Uber From Atlanta Airport To Alpharetta,
Montreal Alouettes Roster Cuts,
Hca Medical City Arlington Program General Surgery Residency,
Articles H