Simon the Zealot: militant rebel or devoted follower?

Simon the Zealot is the disciple I studied this month. I can say that I had preconceived ideas of who Simon was and I went into this study thinking I knew what I wanted to discuss and highlight. However, I was wrong and I loved it. There is very little information in the gospels about who Simon was. His occupation is unknown. His hometown is unknown. It isn’t recorded if Jesus said anything about him. His name only appears in the lists of the disciples in Matthew, Mark, Luke and Acts. However, there are assumptions made about him. With a title like “the Zealot,” The Chosen portray him as a member of the Zealots. Who were the Zealots? Was Simon a Zealot? If he wasn’t, why would have that title? What does it mean to have zeal for God? 

The Zealots were one of the four Jewish philosophies of the time. Philosophies which blended politics and religious denomination. The other three are the Sadducees, the Pharisees and the Essenes. I plan to study each one in the future; but for this post, I will focus briefly on the Zealots. They were the Rebels. They were a radical political party working for the violent overthrow of Roman rule in Israel. The Roman-Jewish historian, Jospehus, wrote about the Zealots in Antiquities of the Jews, written in about 93/94 AD. The Zealots were responsible for the first Roman-Jewish War (AD 66-70) about 35 years after Jesus, which led to the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. The Zealots were hyperfocused on freedom and liberty and viewed God as their only ruler. They were willing to die and kill for their beliefs. According to Josephus, the Zealots were founded in AD 6. There is little evidence that the Zealots were officially organized prior to the war in AD 66 (Tate, 2021). 

Being called the Zealot is ambiguous. Matthew and Mark use the Greek word kananaios which is from the Aramaic word qan’an meaning zealous one (Nelson, 2019). There are three possibilities for Simon the Zealot. First, he was a member of the earliest corroboration of the Zealot party. Second, he belonged to a different Zealot party. Or third, Simon was simply zealous and was nicknamed the Zealot to distinguish him from Simon Peter. The Chosen (2017) definitely takes the first two possibilities that Simon was a member of a Zealot party prior to becoming a disciple. Since the gospels are silent on any discussion between Jesus and Simon have led many, including myself, to believe that Simon was a zealous believer than a militant agent against an oppressor. Simon could have been simply a zealous believer. A passionate and dedicated believer about Jesus and his faith, although he may have been quiet in word and deed that the gospel writers didn’t feel the need to record them. 

Zeal is having an intense, passionate and unwavering commitment to God. Characterized by a deep devotion, spiritual enthusiasm and a strong desire to honor God, it is a wholehearted pursuit of a relationship with God, actively serving Him (Romans 12:11). What does zeal look like in practice? First, a life dedicated to prayer, study of God’s word and personal devotion. I must admit I struggle with this one. A busy life often pushes aside prayer and study to the back of my mind. I strive every day to do better. Second, enthusiastic commitment to living a life worthy of the Gospel and standing firm in faith. This is an everyday commitment. Jesus is a prime example of someone who had zeal for God. John 2:12-16 records Jesus clearing the temple of sellers and money exchangers who had turned the temple into a market. Seeing his passionate fervor, the disciples remembered the Psalm “for the zeal for your house consumes me” (John 2:17, Psalm 69:9). 

In conclusion, the Zealots were a militant group who sought to overthrow the Roman occupation. A group who saw only God as their ruler and was willing to kill and be killed in order to show their devotion to God. Simon the Zealot may not have been the militant rebel that I thought he was; although militant rebel to disciple is a highly possible extreme conversion. However, I believe he was a zealous believer who was passionate and committed to following Jesus. Having zeal for God is an enthusiastic, daily commitment to seek a relationship with Him. In prayer and study, a believer can be zealous for God as they seek to honor Him with their lives. Do you have a passion for God? Do you have an enthusiastic commitment to studying His Word and show His love to the world?

Reference

Nelson, Ryan (August 7, 2019). Who Was Simon the Zealot? The Beginner’s Guide. Overview Bible. https://overviewbible.com/simon-the-zealot/. Retrieved October 4, 2025

Tate, David (November 21, 2021). The Life of Simon the Zealot. Now Let’s be Honest. YouTube. https://youtu.be/GRGEhN7JwkY?si=knAJ3yyH71zisRRb. Retrieved October 4, 2025.