Simon the Zealot

Also known as: Simon the Canaanite, Simon Zelotes

Apostle · The Zealot

Simon is distinguished from Simon Peter by the epithet "the Zealot" (Luke 6:15, Acts 1:13) or "the Canaanite" (Matthew 10:4, Mark 3:18) — both terms meaning the same thing, as "Canaanite" here derives from the Aramaic word for "zealous," not from the land of Canaan. The designation suggests Simon may have been associated with the Zealot movement — a Jewish political faction dedicated to overthrowing Roman occupation through armed resistance. If so, Simon's inclusion among the Twelve alongside Matthew the tax collector (a Roman collaborator) represents a remarkable juxtaposition: a resistance fighter and a government collaborator united as followers of Jesus. Beyond his listing in the apostle catalogs, scripture records nothing specific about Simon the Zealot's individual actions or words.

Key Events

1Listed among the Twelve Apostles
2Called "the Zealot" — possibly former political revolutionary

What Scripture Says (3 verses)

Matthew 4:18

And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

Matthew · Chapter 4

Matthew 10:2

Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;

Matthew · Chapter 10

Matthew 10:4

Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

Matthew · Chapter 10

Matthew 13:55

Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

Matthew · Chapter 13

Matthew 16:16

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Matthew · Chapter 16

Matthew 16:17

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew · Chapter 16

Matthew 17:25

He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?

Matthew · Chapter 17

Matthew 26:6

Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,

Matthew · Chapter 26

Matthew 27:32

And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.

Matthew · Chapter 27

Mark 1:16

Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

Mark · Chapter 1