It's not a stretch to assume that the second sword was owned by Simon the Zealot, but ironically he kept it hidden, and instead Peter was the one who turned to violence. 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. Wiki User. 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. 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.. 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. "And when they had entered, they . We'll explore the political and religious context of first-century Judea and the impact it had on Simon's life. In these lay a multitude of invalidsblind, lame, and paralyzed. (John 5:1-13 ESV), 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. I hope you enjoy them! The Chosen Season 4 Controversy? 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. This episode is our first extended visit to Jerusalem and introduces us to Simon the Zealot, a future disciple, as well as the invalid at the pool of Bethesda (who, in The Chosen, is the brother of Simon the Zealot). [6] However, neither Brandon[7] nor Hengel[8] support this view. This is supplement #6 to the Bible study: "Men Jesus Called." James the Less, Thaddaeus and Simon the Zealot. This version is the one found in the Golden Legend. 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. Some have suggested that Jesus is cryptically alluding to the fig leaves of Genesis 3. Do you remember his name? His remains were later transferred to Anacopia. According to St. 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. The Chosen introduces Simon the Zealot and Nathanael (as well as Judas) in similar ways, using teaser segments/prologues. 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. In The Chosen, during Season 2, Episode 4, Simon the Zealot is reunited with his brother, Jesse, after years of separation. Some of these Pharisees witnessed the healing of Jesse and saw how Jesus told him to get up and take his mat and walk. Episode 7 Guide: Did Nicodemus Follow Jesus? The Bible does not give us his name or mention anyone to whom he was related. Simon the Zealot is one of the most obscure apostles. 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). In the Gospels, he is mentioned in three places, but only to list his name with the twelve disciples. 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. [9] Another tradition holds that this is the Simeon of Jerusalem who became the second bishop of Jerusalem, although he was born in Galilee. To overcome his vice, Simon needs to recognize that there is a greater justice at work in the world - a Chosen King who has come to make things right not through the sword but through healing - and he needs to reorient his discipline and zeal around Him. But what we do know is this: he passionately believed in . To watch this season with your group, you'll need to pick up The Chosen app (Google / Apple). Barbara Thiering identified Simon Zelotes with Simon Magus; however, this view has received no serious acceptance. In The Chosen, during Season 2, Episode 4, Simon the Zealot is reunited with his brother, Jesse, after years of separation. [10][11], James Tissot, Saint Simon, Brooklyn Museum. He saw numerous demonstrations of Jesus divinity. The Bible says nothing more about Simon the Zealot after Acts 1:13, though there are several theories about whatever happened to him. Simon was known for being (or once having been) a Zealot. Jesus really did know a Zealot named Simon. The Bible does not tell us anything about Simon the Zealot before he met Jesus. Ethiopian Christians believe he was crucified in Samaria. Meet Simon the Zealot: A Mystery Apostle. 2010-11-26 00:36:58. 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. 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. St. Simon the Zealot's (Simon Kananaios) cave in Abkhazia, Georgia, The Apostle Simon the Zealot by Georg Gsell, Simon Zelotes evangelische Kirche Leihgestern. But heres what we know. He is buried in the same tomb as Jude Thaddeus, in the left transept of the St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, under the altar of St. Joseph. Josephus identifies three main Jewish sectsthe Essenes, the Saduccees, and the Pharisees. 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). Like most of the other apostles, Simon the Zealot deserted Jesus during his trial and crucifixion. Although its worth noting, in the Talmud, Jewish rabbis advocated for peace as well, and the Zealots ignored them. Logos Bible Software 10 review: Do you REALLY need it? Also known as: Kananaios, Simon the Cananean, Simon the Zealot, the Cananaean. We don't see any signs of Jesse responding to his healing in a sketchy way in Episode 4 of The Chosen Season 2. 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. As an apostle of Jesus Christ, Simon the Zealot would have been sent somewhere to spread the gospel, just as the other apostles were. [13] Tradition also claims he died peacefully at Edessa. More than 1,000 copies of The Golden Legend survive today, showing how deeply embedded this mistranslation was in the church. If Simon the Zealot had gone through with his attempt to assassinate the Roman leader, his hope would also have been disappointed by the intervention of Atticus, the undercover Roman agent. When Simon joins the Zealots, we understand that he is being driven by his longing for justice. What do you think we're supposed to conclude? In any case, the gospel writers used this description to distinguish this Simon from Simon Peterand the other Simons in the New Testament. Season 2 Reflection P2: What was The Chosen Season 2 about? You will see greater things than these. And he said to him, Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man. (John 1:43-51 ESV), Commentators throughout history have puzzled over the significance of Jesus telling Nathanael that he saw him while he was sitting under the fig tree. Nathanael's vices are tied to both his longings and his gifts . Which disciples seem to be the potential leaders of the group? 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. 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. Simon was powerless to prevent it. 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. In what ways do these hopes end up disappointing us? Simon the Zealot, one of Jesus Christ's twelve apostles, is a mystery character in the Bible. 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?" In the biblical tradition, human acts of zeal punished idolatrous violations of Gods right to exclusive allegiance from Israel. This would be very in-keeping with the Gospel of John, which is quite interested in the way people initially respond to Jesus with faith when he does a miracle but eventually fall away when he doesn't something inexplicable or the water gets too hot. 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. Liberty, the Law, and/or the Lord. 16. Other scholars disagree. That said, this is an adaptation and that means it's their telling of these stories, so I won't be too bummed if they've taken reworked this relatively minor story. 1st century Cana, Galilee, Judaea, Roman Empire. by Ryan Nelson | Aug 7, 2019 | Bible characters. Traditionally, it has been believed that Bartholomew was another name for Nathanael/Nathaniel. In the English Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, New International Version, and New Living Translation he is called Simon the Zealot. 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. By the time the Gospels mention Simon (e.g. Come and See is a devotional journal designed specifically for studying Bible movies and shows like The Chosen. Simon left everything in his previous life to follow Jesus. Each of the apostles was chosen for a specific reason. Nevertheless, what John gives us about Nathanael is much more substantial and evocative than what we get concerning Simon. They are number nine, ten and eleven in the list of the disciples. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. Or he may have simply been zealous for the Mosaic Law. How do the hopes of Simon and Jesse turn out? While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Click here for my affiliation policy. Berean Literal Bible Such details are often quite instructive though if we pause and consider how they function. Only the first person to reach the stirring waters was healed. He found Philip and said to him, Follow me. Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 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. In the Gospels of Mark and Matthew, he bears the epithet Kananaios, or the Cananaean, often wrongly interpreted to mean from Cana or from Canaan. Kananaios is the Greek transliteration of an Aramaic word, qan anaya, meaning the Zealot, the title given him by Luke in his Gospel and in Acts. 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. This mistake led to the idea that Simon was present at the wedding in Cana in John 2, where Jesus performed his first miracle and turned water into wine, and that he was the same person as Simon, the brother of Jesus (Matthew 13:55). In the Bible, there is no indication that Nathanael was an architect. Rhoades concludes that the term zealot is ambiguous enough for there to be more than one valid interpretation: Some scholars assume that citations to zeal and zealots in the 1st century, such as the NT references to Simon the zealot, refer to a Jewish sect of Zealots dedicated to revolution against Rome. The first is the more substantial: Commentators throughout history have puzzled over the significance of Jesus telling Nathanael that he saw him while he was sitting under the fig tree. 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. Of course, within the frame of the narrative itself, Jesus appears to be demonstrating his super-human knowledge - a common theme in the Gospel of John. What do you think it would have been like to be a person who waited around pools like Bethesda in hopes of having a sickness or disability healed? 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. I'm sure that's why The Chosen decided to make Simon a former Zealot who has repented and turned to Jesus. Today we'll be exploring what the Bible says about Simon and Nathanael and how The Chosen adapts them to the screen. 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. 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. Learn Religions, Apr. In a post-GOT world, however, audiences are more willing than they once were to engage with a broad cast of well-developed characters. How could you relate to Simon the Zealot and/or Nathanael, as they were depicted in The Chosen? In a modern screen adaptation, however, audiences expect more. This site uses cookies to analyze traffic and ensure you get the best experience. In the gospels Simon the Zealot is not identified with Simon the brother of Jesus mentioned in Mark 6:3: Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?" Western tradition is that he preached in Egypt and then went to Persia with St. Jude, where both suffered martyrdom. They were also known to target Jews who were sympathetic to Rome. 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. 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. What has Jesse the Invalid put his hope in to bring salvation? The Apostle Paul talks about his own zeal and the zeal of the Israelites on multiple occasions (Philippians 3:6, Galatians 1:13-14, Acts 22:3, and Romans 10:1-4). The Golden Legend records that Simon preached in Egypt, then partnered with Judas, the brother of Jesus: Judas preached first in Mesopotamia and in Pontus, and Simon preached in Egypt, and from thence came they into Persia, and found there two enchanters, Zaroes and Arphaxat, whom S. Matthew had driven out of Ethiopia.. It includes sections for you to take notes on each episode's plot, your favorite quotes, personal connections, questions, and, of course, Scripture references. Another tradition, doubtless inspired by his title "the Zealot", states that he was involved in the First JewishRoman War (6673 AD).[7][8]. "[12][13], In the apocryphal Arabic Infancy Gospel a fact related to this apostle is mentioned.