simon the zealot cause of deathainsley earhardt house
According to Eusebius, he returned to Jerusalem in the year 62 and assisted at the election of his brother, St. Simeon, as Bishop of Jerusalem. Our most detailed descriptions of who they were, how their movement started, and what they stood for comes from Flavius Josephus, a Jewish-Roman historian who lived during the first century. All rights reserved worldwide. Some contend that he died as late as 493 AD when he was more than 100 years old. We know little about him other than his name. Thus , both names for Simon mean the same thing; the first simply refers to his political background, the Simon as a Member of the Zealot Party . Also, the Ethiopian Christians claim he was crucified in Samaria. He was beaten to death with a club, then beheaded post-mortem in 1st century Persia. Also, consider one of Jesus' other disciples was a tax collector. He was around 76 years old. He was present when Jesus performed miracles, such as walking on water (Matthew 14:22), healing lepers (Luke 5:12), feeding thousands with five loaves of bread and two fish (Matthew 15:32), raising people from the dead (Luke 7:11), and raising Lazarus from death after four days (John 11:1-44). However, the New Testament records the death of only two of the apostles Judas Iscariot and James the son of Zebedee. While even a stable independent Jewish state would probably not withstand the Roman forces, it could have lessened the devastation and provided a viable paradigm for the future revolts. At the onset of the war, John of Gischala, Eleazar's future ally, disobeyed Josephus' orders not to attack a Roman granary, thus sparking a bitter hatred between the two leaders. From Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. St. Simon Novena - Day 1. Researchers believe this is a form of the title sicarii, meaning "dagger-men," a group of ultra-Zealots who carried a knife with them at all times to be prepared to assassinate . Your email address will not be published. (Arabic) (Hindi). Simon was a member of the militant political movement called the Zealots. While there are numerous theories as to the cause of his death, the true circumstances remain shrouded in mystery. 543544. In fact, whenever he is listed in the Gospel writings it is with the designationSimon the Zealot. Judas the Betrayer. He is mentioned in the New Testament four times: twice by Jesus and twice by Paul. Anyone associated with a known Zealot would fall under the suspicion of Roman authorities. With this knowledge of Josephus' conflict of interest, contemporary historians view Eleazar with less reproach and bitterness. In the fifth century, Moses of Chorene recorded that Simon the Zealot was martyred in the Kingdom of Iberia. Since 63 BCE, Roman garrisons stationed throughout Israel had exploited Jews with punitive taxation, exceeding the quota set by the Roman Empire and keeping the surplus revenues for themselves . Apostles, What we do know is that he died sometime in the first century, possibly around 80 AD in Herapolis (Turkey). To him be glory for ever and ever. We have one tantalizing bit of information about him, which has led to ongoing debates among Bible scholars. Following the defeat of Eleazar's Zealots and subsequent destruction of the Temple, the lack of centralized worship created a spiritual vacuum within the Jewish community that was filled with the spread of synagogue as the center of Jewish life. John desperately needed Eleazar's funds to supply his followers, and Eleazar required the protection of John's large entourage to fend off Ananus. They assumed he was from Canaa town within Galileeor possibly Canaan, an ancient region in the near east which was frequently mentioned in the Bible. It can be inferred, however, from the geopolitical scene of ancient Israel in the first century CE. He was later freed and went to Turkey, perhaps on a mission to establish churches there. Others believe that he was crucified in Pella, Jordan. Ancient writers tell us that he preached the Gospel in Judea, Samaria, Idumaea, Syria, Mesopotamia, and Lybia. In Foxes Book of Martyrs, it is recorded about Matthew: The scene of his labors was Parthia, and Ethiopia, in which latter country he suffered martyrdom, being slain with a halberd in the city of Nadabah, A.D. 60., Hippolytus, a theologian who lived in the second and third centuries, recorded about James death: And James the son of Alphaeus, when preaching in Jerusalem was stoned to death by the Jews, and was buried there beside the temple.. His political campaign to eradicate moderate Jews from Jerusalem in 67-70 CE eliminated the possibility to surrender to Titus and avoid his relentless massacre of the city. Required fields are marked *. Simon, a Zealot, to be one of his disciples. Other leading causes of death, including heart disease (#1), respiratory diseases (#6), and diabetes (#8), sweep a wider sickle through America because we sit everywhere we go, instead of using our legs. His death sentence was meted out by the Roman Emperor Catus Decianus during his execution in May 61 AD at Caistor, modern-day Lincolnshire . We have studied James, the brother of John, an apostle that was among our Lord's closest disciples. The church, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone cannot have other apostles any more than it can have another cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20) because no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Corintians 3:11). He was one of the 12 main disciples of Jesus Christ, but he plays no particular role in the gospels and is only mentioned by name in lists of the apostles (Matthew 10:2-4,Mark 3:16-19,Luke 6:14-16,Acts 1:1-13). . Here the term Canaanite is synonymous with the word Zealot. As a result of this despotic leadership and their insufficient representation in the government, many Idumeans defected to a violent extremist group outside the city walls known as the Sicarii, led by Simon b. Gioras. As time passed, the perception of Eleazar ben Simon and the Zealots shifted from the tyrannical despot whom Josephus portrays to a dedicated leader with flawed tactics. Saint Matthias from the workshop of Simone Martini, c. AD 80 Jerusalem, Judaea or in Colchis (modern-day Georgia). In the summer of 68, the Idumeans from the south imposed their support for the Zealots by helping John and Eleazar eradicate Ananus and the moderates from Jerusalem. It is believed that while he hung on that cross and was dying, he called to the crowds and taught them about Jesus Christ and how they might be saved, thus he was sharing the gospel up until the very time of his death on the x-shaped crossbeing loyal to the very end. We must rely on early church historians and secular historians as well but thankfully both seem to be in agreement and both are reliable. Simon the Zealot's death is disputed amongst scholars. He is the second James on the New Testament lists of apostles (Mt 10:3; Mk 3:18; Lk 6:15; Acts 1:13). Despite the common misconception, Eleazar ben Simon the Zealot is not the same person as Eleazar ben Ya'ir, the Sicarii leader at Masada. Hammond and Grotius think that St. Simon was called the Zealot, before his coming to Christ, because he was one of that particular sect or party among the Jews called Zealots, from a singular zeal they possessed for the honour of God and the purity of religion. He usually has a small flame above his head and he often carries a pen. Paul was abandoned by everyone as his execution nearedall that is except His cherished Lord. During this period, John had distanced himself from Eleazar and the Zealots in order to avoid association with their tyrannical behavior and claim sole leadership. The knowledge of Peters death is widespread among secular and church historians. Simon and St. Jude, Apostles. Matthias He was the apostle chosen to replace Judas. Simon the Zealot Also Known as: Simon the Cananaean; Simon the Canaanite; Simon Zelotes. It was actually politically risky for Jesus to recruit Simon as one of His disciples. He blames the defeat of Jewish War on "unrepresentative and over-zealous fanatics" including Eleazar. Second Timothy was the last letter ever written by Paul and in it he knew that the time of his death drew near as he wrote to Timothy For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all refer to him as Simon the Zealot (Zelotes in KJV). How will you diein your sins? Sts. It is not fair to call Judas Iscariot an apostle since he was never truly converted or commissioned by . (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1886.) Eleazar ben Simon was a Zealot leader during the First Jewish-Roman War who fought against the armies of Cestius Gallus, Vespasian, and Titus Flavius.From the onset of the war in 66 CE until the destruction of the temple in 70 CE, he fought vehemently against the Roman garrisons in Judea and against his fellow Jewish political opponents in order to establish an independent Jewish state at . He died early in the church history while the New Testament was still being compiled. 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. Therefore, he is the patron of desperate situations, forgotten causes, hospital workers, hospitals, impossible causes, lost causes, and the diocese of Saint Petersburg, Florida. pp. Lives and death of the Apostles after the Last Supper - post 3. Simon the Zealot is also referred to in the gospels as Simon the Canaanite or Simon the Cananaean. After the fall, he was somehow still alive and when they discovered this, his enemies circled him and beat him to death with clubs. How did Jesus meet Simon Peter? The Lives Of Faith: Simon The Zealot, Simon The Sorcerer, And Simeon Of Jerusalem. Ancient. People are attracted to people who get on fire for a cause. Known for: Little-known apostle of Jesus Christ. The Zealots were a political movement in 1st-century Second Temple Judaism which sought to incite the people of Judea Province to rebel against the Roman Empire and expel it from the Holy Land by force of arms, most notably during the First JewishRoman War (6670). They feared that appointing a Zealot to power would provoke Rome to attack and would diminish their own power. May it not be held against them. The name Judas the Zealot ( Judas Zelotes) is mentioned in the Epistle of the Apostles (Epistula Apostolorum), written in the 2nd century. Some Bible translations preserve Jeromes mistake out of respect for tradition, calling Simon the Cananite or the Cananaean inMatthew 10:3andMark 3:18. Western tradition is that he preached in Egypt and then went to Persia with St. Jude, where both suffered martyrdom. 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. As a Zealot, Eleazar ben Simon's radical anti-Roman beliefs prevented him from pursuing any peaceful coalition with Rome. Synonyms for Zealot in Free Thesaurus. [1] He was impaled by iron hooks in his ankles and hung upside down to die. [citation needed]. Heres how Josephus explains it inThe 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.. On Pauls third missionary journey, Jews and Jewish Christians who were zealous for the Law wanted to kill Paul (Acts 21:20;23:1214). Vespasian became emperor and granted Josephus Roman citizenship. Both . And I was delivered from the lions mouth. I love to see people zealous in the work of the Lord. Tradition also claims he died peacefully at Edessa. I realize that the brother of Jesus, James, was not an apostle but he was one of the early church leaders and the account of his death is horrific. The apocryphal Acts of Thomas says this apostle was martyred in Mylapore, India, where he was stabbed with spears. Not much beyond this is known since Matthew was in such a remote place in Africa and went where few historian or Christians ventured to go. There are numerous accounts of Simon the Zealot's death, but the earliest records come centuries after his death. Despite his rejection from power, Eleazar remained in Jerusalem promoting the Zealot cause from his headquarters at the Temple. Its unclear when the group formally became known as the Zealots. 10 - Simon the Zealot - bishop of Jerusalem after James; died of old age. Simon was born in Galilee, which was part of Roman-occupied Israel at the time. Jesus teachings (such as turning the other cheek and loving your enemies) were often the complete opposite of the ideology the Zealots embraced. We begin with perhaps the most well-known of Jesus apostles, and that would be Peter. We will now examine the historical evidence of how these men died. We know that Judas was probably a Zealot by his surname, Iscariot. During the summer of 67, Eleazar ben Simon and his Zealots attempted to dismantle the moderate government of Ananus by imprisoning officials who remained from the procurator period before the revolt and spreading the fear that the moderate Temple aristocracy would undermine the Jewish nationalist cause. Some sources say he was buried either in Northern Persia or the most accepted version that his remains are buried . CONCLUSION: Simon was a freedom fighter - a zealot! MacMahon. It is possible that Judas Iscariot, another member of the Twelve and the one who went on to betray Jesus, was a former Zealot as well. 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 various New Testament lists of the Twelve Apostles ( Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 3:16-19; Luke 6:14-16; Acts 1:13), the tenth and eleventh places are occupied by Simon the Zealot (also called Simon the "Cananean," the Aramaic word meaning "Zealot") and by Judas of James, also called Thaddaeus or Lebbaeus. When Simon joined the apostles, he was thirty years of age. St. Jude Thaddeus and St. Simon the Zealot, Apostles Feast day: Oct 28 St. Jude Thaddaeus St. Jude, known as Thaddaeus, was a brother of St. James the Lesser, and a relative of Jesus. This Simon was also named "the Canaanite" ( Matthew 10:4 Mark 3:18 the King James Version) or "the Cananean" ( Matthew 10:4 Mark 3:18 the Revised Version (British and American)) or "Zelotes" ( Luke . Often asked: Apostle Who Wemt To Mountain To See Mary? Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 20 Bible Verses About Success: Study From Scripture, 25 Encouraging Bible Verses About Strength, Words of Encouragement: 30 Uplifting Quotes, Are You a Disciple of Christ? In the thirteenth century, Jacobus de Varagine compiled numerous biographies of the saints intoThe Golden Legend, where centuries after Jerome, the error was repeated: Simon is as much to say as obedient, or being in heaviness. [citation needed], The Zealot control of Jerusalem was confined to the inner court of the city and the Temple itself. He was crucified but he thought himself unworthy of the same type of death that Jesus suffered and so asked to be hung upside down which was done in Rome. Bible Study, Foxes Book of Martyrs claims that in India, He was at length cruelly beaten and then crucified by the impatient idolaters.. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. In the West, Simon is said to have preached in Egypt, then traveled to Persia with Jude (who had been working in Mesopotamia) where they were both martyred. Luke replaces the name Thaddeus with Judas son of James (Luke 6:16 and Acts 1:13). One day Simon saw Jesus walking on water toward him; he thought Jesus must be an angel so he asked him to do what Simon had asked God to do for him earlier that dayto rescue him from drowningand Jesus obliged by telling Simon to get into his boat (Matthew 14:28-30). Since Simon is commonly identified with the Jewish sect known as the Zealots, its worth unpacking who they were. Accounts. St. Jude Thaddeus is invoked in desperate situations because his New Testament letter stresses that the faithful should persevere in the environment of harsh, difficult circumstances, just as their forefathers had done before them. He suggests that the Zealots were a fourth which sprung up as a result of Judas influence and caused the problems which led to the First Jewish-Roman War: For Judas and Sadducus, who excited a fourth philosophick sect among us, and had a great many followers therein, filled our civil government with tumults at present, and laid the foundations of our future miseries, by this system of philosophy, which we before were unacquainted withal., Your email address will not be published. Simon would have considered Matthew a Jewish sell-out, a traitor to the cause of Israel. However he was imprisoned on the island of Patmos where he wrote the Book of Revelation. How agonizing that must have been. King Herod wanted to please the Jews by killing him (Acts 12:3). Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us Your Apostle, St. Simon, as an example of holiness. The following Simons and Simeons are found in the New Testament: Simon Peter, better known as Saint Peter, also known as Peter the Apostle, Cephas, and Simon bar Jonah ( Simon son of Jonah), foremost disciple of Jesus (Matthew 4:18ff). Like his brother Peter, Andrew didnt consider himself worthy to die in the same manner as Jesus. Disciples, Profile. What does history show and/or the Bible reveal how the 12 Apostles died? However, in 68 CE, John of Gischala, the hero who escaped Roman conquest in Galilee, joined forces with Eleazar ben Simon at Jerusalem and undermined the moderates' power. As the Roman burden became more onerous, Jewish priests alienated by the pro-Roman high priesthood joined in the effort to attain political and religious liberty by any means possible, thus forming the Zealots. When Jesus cleanses the temple in the Gospel of John, his disciples recallPsalm 69:10, implying that Jesus was motivated by zeal: His disciples remembered that it is written: Zeal for your house will consume me.. The word translated "Canaanite" is of Hebrew origin and means "zealot". However, the 4th-century St. As we mentioned earlier, Rhoades argues that Josephus work makes it clear that there was no formal group called the Zealots until about 68 AD. Regardless of whether the prophecy was about Matthias, he was apparently stoned and then beheaded late in the 1st century. What terrible destruction we can cause when we proudly act on our private interpretations of Scripture! Because of this, we have no reason to disbelieve these accounts as the vast majority of them agree on the method of the apostles deaths. While there are some variations in the order the apostles appear and even the names they went by, Simon is listed in all of them. Bartholomew is also known as Nathaniel and there is scarce little known about how he died but it appears that since he was martyred in Armenia, he too must have been involved in the Great Commission and taking the good news into that part of the world. Outnumbered and isolated by Ananus' troops surrounding the Temple, Eleazar control of the Temple was seriously threatened from the winter of 67 to the spring of 68. 1 Chronicles 16:11 Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! The apostle Simon is not Simon Peter (Andrew's brother) but Simon the Zealot. Finklestein, Louis, William Horbury, William David Davies, and John Sturdy. This event has been called the Dispersion of the Apostles. It was there that he was staked or impaled to the earth by spears and then beheaded. Previous post: 10 Arguments for the Existence of God, Next post: 20 Bible Verses About Success: Study From Scripture. Simon was transformed by the Jesus and his message. In Josephus' Bellum Judaicum, the primary source of the First Jewish-Roman War, important historical figures are introduced with their patrimonial name when they first appear, and addressed by first name in all following appearances. Simon the Zealot was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. Like many of the Zealots, it is probable Simon had initially followed Jesus for political reasons . Yet when the revolt broke out in 66 CE, the Galilean zealots fled the Roman massacres and sought refuge in the last major Jewish stronghold: Jerusalem. This alliance was rooted in their mutual dependence upon each other.
