Some have suggested that Jesus is cryptically alluding to the fig leaves of Genesis 3. 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. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. By the time the Gospels mention Simon (e.g. 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. That's why I'm excited to share with you a new resource that I've created to help you study biblical adaptations & reflect on how they apply to everyday life. In order to explain why, in the Gospel of John, the invalid tells Jesus that he has no one to put him in the water, this episode of The Chosen depicted him as having a brother who abandoned him in order to pursue life as a Jewish Zealot. Weaknesses prevent characters from appearing over-powered and instead provide a hook that helps connect them to viewers. Their one and only goal was to overthrow the Roman government and their occupation of Israel. 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. 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. Nothing further is known about him from the New Testament. 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. PROUDLY CREATED WITH WIX.COM, Simon the Zealot & the Man at the Bethesda Pool (Exploring The Chosen Season 2 Episode 4 with Youth), Dallas and Jonathan Season 2 of The Chosen, After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. After watching The Chosen, have you ever felt inspired to create your own work of Bible Art or biblical adaptation? Zeal is behavior motivated by the jealous desire to protect ones self, group, space, or time against violations. Moreover, in addition to being a compelling story, The Chosen Season 2 Episode 4 offers several interesting themes that will be worth exploring with your youth group. "Meet Simon the Zealot: A Mystery Apostle." Episode 8 Guide: The Woman at the Well, Eden, & Zohara, Christmas with The Chosen: The Messengers, The Chosen Season 2 Controversy (Jesus, the Bible, & the Process of Inspiration), Should Nicodemus Kneel? Scripture tells us almost nothing about Simon. 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.. 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. 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. Nathanael and Simon the Zealot (and Judas) are each drawn into an encounter with Jesus by distinct longings. Matthew 10:1-4 ), he appears to have already been established as a disciple of Jesus. Zavada, Jack. One of Jesus' 12 disciples was known as Simon the Zealot (Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13). How does it affect your view of Simon the Zealot, to know that he went off to become a Zealot and fight for the freedom of the Jews while leaving his brother helplessly lying by the Pool of Bethesda? As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, called Peter and his brother Andrew. something. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). By the time the Gospels mention Simon (e.g. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/simon-the-zealot-mystery-apostle-701071. Western tradition is that he preached in Egypt and then went to Persia with St. Jude, where both suffered martyrdom. 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.. He would then be the cousin of Jesus or a son of Joseph from a previous marriage. There are nine people named Simon in the New Testament. (NIV), Acts 1:13When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Other church fathers made this error as well, and it was perpetuated throughout church tradition for so long that some modern translations still say, Simon the Cananite or Simon the Cananean in Matthew 10:3 and Mark 3:18. They were . The term Zealots comes from the Greek word zelotes that means emulator or zealous follower. While the Chosen depicts Simon the Zealot as the brother of Jesse, the invalid Jesus heals by the Pool of Bethesda, this detail does not come from the Gospels. Simon Peter said to them, I am going fishing. They said to him, We will go with you. They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. In the English Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, New International Version, and New Living Translation he is called Simon the Zealot. In Season 2, Episode 5, Simon seeks out Jesus and joins the disciples. Some scholars believe Josephus exaggerated the Zealots to keep the peace, blaming the war on a small Jewish sect and some bad Roman leaders. The connection between the two figures is invented in order to add depth to Simon's character and suggest thematic connections between their stories. 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? They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 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. One popular theory is that he was martyred. As a former assassin, he is the most physically formidable of the disciples. Sources "Who Were the Zealots in the Bible?" In Episode 6 of The Chosen Season 1, Jesus faced opposition from a Pharisee in Capnernaum. Verse Concepts. 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. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. Nathanael said to him, Can anything good come out of Nazareth? Philip said to him, Come and see. Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit! Nathanael said to him, How do you know me? Jesus answered him, Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you. Nathanael answered him, Rabbi, you are the Son of God! And he had a double name; he was said Simon Zelotes, and Simon Cananean of Cana a street that is in Galilee, there whereas our Lord converted the water into wine.. Each of these Simons is clearly distinct, and Simon the Apostle is always referred to with the moniker the Zealot.. 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. Jesus' kingdom was not about politics but salvation. In his commentary on Matthew, Jerome mistakenly interpreted kananaios as an indicator that Simon was from Cana, which led to other errors: He was surnamed Peter to distinguish him from another Simon who is called the Cananean, from the village of Cana of Galilee, where the Lord turned water into wine.. And, who knows? During the public premiere of The Chosen Season 2 Episode 4, Dallas Jenkins said it was the most complex and challenging episode of The Chosen to film, and it sure does show. 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. In Luke 22:38, the disciples tell Jesus, "See, Lord, here are two swords." When Simon joins the Zealots, we understand that he is being driven by his longing for justice. 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. Narrative Ambiguity & Charitable Reading. Simon the Zealot is one of the most obscure apostles. Since the Apostle Simon is only listed among the apostles (and hes completely absent from the Gospel of John), theres not much we can say about him. 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. [13] Tradition also claims he died peacefully at Edessa. 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? So who was this person the Bible calls Simon the Zealot, and what do we actually know about him? Perhaps your quiet time will generate an idea that you can turn into something beautiful! ", What the Bible Says About Simon the Zealot. Corrections? What emotions do you imagine you'd feel? Do you remember his name? Simon the Zealot must have been shaken by the violence of Jesus' crucifixion. In The Chosen, the man at the pool is given the name Jesse and is depicted as the brother of Simon the Zealot (see more above). 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Matthew 10:4. Professor David Rhoades elaborates in The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary: Judas and his followers opposed Jews who cooperated with the census, for they considered cooperation with Caesar to be an idolatrous transgression of the First Commandment to have no other lords before me. Judas small and unsuccessful revolt was carried out in the belief that if the Jews were faithful to the covenant, God would honor their cause by bringing victory in the struggle against Rome. Jesus frequently clashed with the Pharisees over their strict interpretation of the law. Why was he mad at Jesus? With a group as large as the twelve + disciples, however, the gifts and personality of each character needs to be more specialized. 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. . Season 2 Reflection P2: What was The Chosen Season 2 about? Simon is remembered (with Jude) in the Church of England with a Festival on 28 October. Eusebius, a Greek historian of Christianity, wrote that Simon the Zealot became the second bishop of Jerusalem. This is supplement #6 to the Bible study: "Men Jesus Called." James the Less, Thaddaeus and Simon the Zealot. Judas was apparently killed as a result of his actions.. How did Simon the Zealot meet Jesus? Why or why not? The Bible does not describe how Simon the Zealot met Jesus. As The Chosen has showed us at various points, the Romans were hated by most of the Jews, who viewed them as oppressive enemies. Simon the Zealot and Nathanael in The Chosen (Adapting Biblical Characters), S3 still - Feeding the 5,000 - Jesus and Simon the Zealot feed the hungry crowd, The only biblical references to Simon the Zealot are found in listings of the 12 disciples (, The Bible itself never explains Simon's relationship to the Zealot movement. These cookies do not store any personal information. In a modern screen adaptation, however, audiences expect more. What do you think we're supposed to conclude? They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. FYI: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The moniker the Zealot comes from the Greek word zlts, which the Apostle Luke used in both his gospel and Acts to distinguish this Simon from Simon Peter. But heres what we know. The Chosen Season 4 Controversy? Heritage Images / Contributor / Getty Images. Who Was Herod? (2022, April 8). Simon was known for being (or once having been) a Zealot. Or did he in fact find a way to straddle the two movements? What did Simon the Zealot do before he met Jesus? Update: Learn more about how The Chosen adapts Simon the Zealot. Which disciples seem to be the potential leaders of the group? Simon the Zealot. So what does this title mean? I have Bible studies/discussion guides for each episode of The Chosen Seasons 1-3, blogs exploring how The Chosen adapts key biblical figures, and articles exploring the controversial nature of adaptation. Instead of saying he does or doesn't want to be well, he explains why he thinks he can't get well - he doesn't have anyone to put him in the pool when it is stirred up. Each of the apostles was chosen for a specific reason. He saw numerous demonstrations of Jesus divinity. by Ryan Nelson | Aug 7, 2019 | Bible characters. 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. Zavada, Jack. We have one tantalizing bit of information about him, which has led to ongoing debates among Bible scholars. In Islam, Muslim exegesis and Quran commentary name the twelve apostles and include Simon amongst the disciples. Berean Standard Bible Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed 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). There's no evidence to suggest Nathanael was a failed architect. "Meet Simon the Zealot: A Mystery Apostle." Others have seen a connection to the description of the peaceful abundance of Solomon's reign, when every Israelite sat under his own fig tree (1 Kings 4:25). The connection between the two figures is invented in order to add depth to Simon's character and suggest thematic connections between their stories. 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. In The Chosen, during Season 2, Episode 4, Simon the Zealot is reunited with his brother, Jesse, after years of separation. Were there any scenes that you found interesting or moving? Bible movies & shows like The Chosen provide us with fresh eyes to see the significance of the Bible and the beauty of the Gospel. The Zealots were a group of Jews who believed that God had called them to overthrow the Roman Empire through physical force. Simon was powerless to prevent it. Even though the Book of Acts and the epistles never describe Simon the Zealots ministry, as one of the Twelve, he wouldve been one of the most important leaders of the early church. As foreign conquerors imposed their pagan ways on the Jewish people, the Zealots sometimes turned to violence. Despite the lack of mention in the Gospels, the Bible cites his name in Acts 1:13, where the disciples met together the day after Jesus ascended to heaven. Meet Simon the Zealot: A Mystery Apostle. Some might have family members carry them back and forth from home and help them when needed, but others were basically homeless people who had to beg in order to get food and care. Instead, Jesus shows up and provides Simon with a new vision of justice and of how to make things right - not through violence but through the healing hand of the Messiah. Statue of St. Simon in the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran by Francesco Moratti. And since this immovable resolution of theirs is well known to a great many, I shall speak no further about that matter; nor am I afraid that any thing I have said of them should be disbelieved, but rather fear, that what I have said is beneath the resolution they show when they undergo pain. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. . It is uncertain whether he was one of the group of Zealots, the Jewish nationalistic party before ad 70. He lived true to the Great Commission after Jesus' ascension. They were also known to target Jews who were sympathetic to Rome. In a smaller ensemble, it's common for character abilities to fall into basic archetypal patterns like the power trio (the logical brain, the emotional friend, and the balanced hero) or the five-man band (the charismatic leader, the edgy anti-hero, the brain, the tank, and the token girl). Did you have any questions about what happened? 1st century Cana, Galilee, Judaea, Roman Empire. 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. To some readers, this suggests that he may be identical with the "Judas not Iscariot" mentioned in John 14:22: "Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Our Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?" 2010-11-26 00:36:58. Their tactic was to mingle in crowds during festivals, slip up behind a victim, then kill him with their Sicari, or short curved knife. Ethiopian Christians believe he was crucified in Samaria. The Zealots (as The Chosen shows) were a group of religious insurgents, who sought to push back against the oppressive practices of Rome through violence, terrorism, and assassination. To begin your time, have your youth read the main passage that this episode of The Chosen is adapting: During the time of the New Testament, it was common for people to believe that certain places like the Pool of Bethesda had miraculous power to bring healing. 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. Learn Religions. Since Simon is commonly identified with the Jewish sect known as the Zealots, its worth unpacking who they were. Verse Concepts. (The Transfiguration of Jesus & the Second Commandment), Reflecting on The Chosen Season 3 & Anticipating Season 4: What Worked & What to Fix, The Chosen Season 3: What to Expect & How to Watch, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 1 & Episode 2: Reaction and Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 3: Recap, Review, & Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 4: Recap, Review, & Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 5: Recap, Review, & Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 6: Recap, Review, & Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episodes 7 & 8: Recap, Review, & Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episodes 1 & 2: Questions to Discuss Before the Premiere, Preparing for The Chosen Season 3: 7 Episodes to Watch, I am the Law of Moses (The Chosen Season 3 Controversy), Thomas & Ramah in The Chosen & Scripture ***Season 3***, Yussif, Jairus, & Shmuel in The Chosen ***Season 3***, Quintus, Gaius, Atticus, and the Romans in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Little James in The Chosen & Scripture ***Season 3***, Pontius Pilate & his Wife in The Chosen ***Season 3***, Judas in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Matthew in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Simon and Andrew in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Lilith, Demons, & Evil Spirits in The Chosen, Simon the Zealot & Nathanael in The Chosen, Episode 8 Guide: The Feeding of the 5,000. However, his title "the Zealot" suggests that he may have been a member of a band of violent Jewish revolutionaries. 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. Simon the Zealot's greatest vice is also tied to his longings and his gifts. [5] Eisenman's broader conclusions, that the zealot element in the original apostle group was disguised and overwritten to make it support the assimilative Pauline Christianity of the Gentiles, are more controversial. They also do not value dying any kinds of death, nor indeed do they heed the deaths of their relations and friends, nor can any such fear make them call any man lord. Apparently the titles may have been an attempt to distinguish him from the apostle St. Simon Peter. "St. Jude Thaddeus and St. Simon the Zealot, Apostles", All appearances of "Simon" in the New Testament, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Simon_the_Zealot&oldid=1151638594. 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. Josephus fought against the Romans in the First Jewish-Roman War. Have my posts about Bible adaptation helped you learn more about the Bible and explore it with your ministry or family? He was one of the original followers of Christ. In a book - and especially in a book that's written in a laconic style like the Gospels - it's possible to introduce characters like Simon and Nathanael without giving readers very much detail. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. So far, there are no obvious figures in Scripture that correspond to Atticus Aemilius. Therefore, it is anachronistic to view people acting with zeal before 68 C.E. He is the author "Hope for Hurting Singles: A Christian Guide to Overcoming Life's Challenges. Did the healing of the invalid man by the Pool of Bethesda play out like you expected? 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. 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. If you liked this post, you might want to check out some of my other posts on The Chosen and Bible adaptation. We don't see any signs of Jesse responding to his healing in a sketchy way in Episode 4 of The Chosen Season 2. Did he leave the Zealots in order to join the Jesus movement, while continuing to be known for his past association? "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men.". To begin your discussion, ask your youth group: What stuck out to you about this episode? People often complain when a biblical adaptation adds to what the Bible says. [13] However, Moses of Chorene writes that he was martyred at Weriosphora in Caucasian Iberia. Nothing further is known about him from the New Testament. In Acts 1:13 we learn that he was present with the eleven apostles in the upper room of Jerusalem after Christ had ascended to heaven. Who was he? In the cultural context of the time, the idea of a stairway between heaven and earth would have evoked the image of a Babylonian ziggurat - one of the architectural wonders of the ancient world. When his building collapses, Nathanael fears that his dream of building something great for God has collapsed as well. He discovers that Jesse has been healed by Jesus. 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. Why do you think Jesus asked him that question? 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. [18] According to Caesar Baronius and Hippolytus of Rome, Simon's first arrival in Britain was in the year A.D.44, during the Roman conquest. In The Chosen, during Season 2, Episode 4, Simon the Zealot is reunited with his brother, Jesse, after years of separation. This draws our attention to something significant about the way The Chosen is adapting the figures of Simon the Zealot and Nathanael. As an apostle of Jesus Christ, Simon the Zealot would have been sent somewhere to spread the gospel, just as the other apostles were. In this account, in his second mission to Britain, he arrived during the first year of Boadicea's rebellion (60 AD). Read Scripture Like an Artist is a Bible journal that will help you engage with Scripture through your imagination and respond to what you are reading through art and/or creative writing. The most widespread tradition is that after evangelizing in Egypt, Simon joined Jude in Persia and Armenia or Beirut, Lebanon, where both were martyred in 65 AD. 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? How did Jesus meet Simon Peter? What did he do? Thank you! Study now. Jesus then simply tells him to get up and walk and he's healed. As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, called Peter and his brother Andrew. Although there are various versions of his death, it is likely he served with zeal as a missionary in Persia and eventually died a martyr's death. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. Died. 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. Some of these Zealots, known as Sicarii, would carry out terrorist attacks and assassinations of Romans and Jews who cooperated with the Roman Empire. Another odd aspect of Simon's appointment was that the Zealots generally agreed with the Pharisees, as far as legalistic observance of the commandments.