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The Zealots.
This party is not referred to anywhere in the N.T. as such, but one of the Twelve
Apostles is called Simon the Zealot (Luke 6: 15; Acts 1: 13). This same Apostle is also
called Simon the Canaanite in Matt. 10: 4, although it is more strictly correct to refer to
him as "the Cananaean". This latter word appears to derive from the Hebrew qana, "to
be hot, or zealous". Whether Simon was so called because of his temperament, or from
his association with the party of the Zealots does not appear from Scripture.
The Zealots have been identified with that party described by Josephus the historian as
"the fourth sect of Jewish philosophy", the founder of which was Judas the Galilean.
This man led a revolt against Rome in 6A.D. (Acts 5: 37), and his party sought to be free
from the Roman yoke, even if this freedom was to be obtained by dubious means. The
Zealots seem to have been more than ready to lay down their lives for this cause.
Josephus says:
"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"
(Antiquities of the Jews, Book 18 chap. 1).
H. A. Meyer, the German theologian, refers to them as, "a class of men who, like
Phinehas (Numb. 25:9), were fanatical defenders of the theocracy; and who, while taking
vengeance on those who wronged it, were themselves frequently guilty of great
excesses". It says much for them, however, that although they suffered a crushing defeat
in 6A.D., yet they kept the spirit of the party alive for many years.
The possible connection of Simon the Apostle with this party is a point of interest in
this regard, that the Lord is "no respecter of persons". Amongst His followers He
numbered one Matthew, a tax collector, a friend of the alien, and unpatriotic to Israel. On
the other hand, Simon, as a Zealot, would be a tax hater, anti-Rome, and a fanatical
patriot, quite the opposite of his fellow disciple, Matthew, and yet made one in Christ.
Had the Lord not trod His earthly path with extreme care, He might well have been
identified with this nationalistic party called the Zealots. If it could have been proved
that He had declared Himself on the side of, or even encouraged this party, He would
have quickly perished like Judas of Galilee. A wrong answer to the question, "Is it lawful
to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?" (Matt. 22: 17), might well have identified Him with
the Zealots, and hence caused His downfall. Despite His clear answer on this occasion,
the subsequent charge brought against Him at His trial, and voiced by the multitude was:
"We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar,
saying that He Himself is Christ a king" (Luke 23: 2).
The Lord might well have commanded a great following from this party had His
words not been so carefully chosen. The people were looking for a national deliverer, the
Messiah, who would free them from the Roman yoke and restore again the Theocracy in
Israel. This desire may be felt from such a passage as John 6: 15: