Simon (2)
Simon the Zealot
Among the twelve apostles was a second Simon, distinguished from Simon Peter by the designation "the Cananean" (Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:18) or "the Zealot" (Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13). The term "Cananean" is not a reference to Canaan but derives from the Aramaic word for "zealous" or "enthusiastic," making it equivalent to the Greek designation "Zealot." Whether Simon was formally connected to the political movement known as the Zealots — Jewish nationalists who advocated violent resistance against Rome — or was simply known for his zealous temperament remains debated. His presence among the Twelve alongside Matthew, a former tax collector who collaborated with Rome, illustrates the diverse backgrounds that Jesus brought together in His inner circle.
Simon, Brother of Jesus
Simon is listed among the brothers of Jesus in both Matthew 13:55 and Mark 6:3, alongside James, Joses, and Judas. When Jesus returned to teach in His hometown of Nazareth, the townspeople were astonished and asked, "Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joses and Simon and Judas?" Their familiarity with Jesus' family bred contempt rather than faith, and Jesus observed that a prophet is not without honor except in his own hometown (Matthew 13:57). Little else is known about Simon the brother of Jesus from the New Testament record.
Simon the Leper
In Bethany, a village near Jerusalem, Jesus dined at the home of "Simon the leper" (Matthew 26:6; Mark 14:3). During this meal, a woman poured expensive ointment over Jesus' head, prompting criticism from some present who considered it wasteful. Jesus defended the woman, declaring that she had anointed His body for burial. Simon's designation as "the leper" likely referred to a past condition, since an active leper would have been excluded from society. It is possible that Jesus had healed him previously.
Simon the Pharisee
Luke 7:36-50 records a different anointing incident at the home of a Pharisee named Simon. During the meal, a woman described as "a sinner" wept at Jesus' feet, wiping them with her hair and anointing them with ointment. Simon thought to himself that if Jesus were truly a prophet, He would know what kind of woman was touching Him. Jesus responded with the parable of the two debtors, teaching that the one forgiven more loves more. This encounter powerfully illustrates Jesus' teaching on forgiveness and the contrast between self-righteous judgment and humble devotion.
Simon of Cyrene
As Jesus carried His cross to Golgotha, the Roman soldiers compelled a passerby named Simon of Cyrene to carry it for Him (Matthew 27:32; Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26). Mark identifies Simon as "the father of Alexander and Rufus," suggesting that his sons were known to the early Christian community. The Rufus mentioned here may be the same individual Paul greets in Romans 16:13. Cyrene was a city in North Africa (modern Libya) with a significant Jewish population, and Simon was likely in Jerusalem for the Passover festival. His encounter with the cross of Christ became a defining moment, and early tradition suggests that he and his family became believers.
Simon, Father of Judas Iscariot
Judas, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, is identified as the son of Simon Iscariot (John 6:71; 13:2, 26). Little is known about this Simon beyond his name and his connection to Judas. The designation "Iscariot" likely refers to a place of origin, possibly Kerioth in southern Judea.
Simon Magus and Simon the Tanner
Simon Magus was a sorcerer in Samaria who amazed the people with his magic and claimed to be someone great (Acts 8:9-24). After Philip's preaching, Simon believed and was baptized, but he then offered the apostles money for the power to bestow the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands. Peter rebuked him sharply, and this incident gave rise to the term "simony" for the buying and selling of spiritual offices.
Simon the tanner lived in Joppa and hosted the apostle Peter in his home by the sea (Acts 9:43; 10:6, 32). It was on the rooftop of Simon's house that Peter received the vision of the sheet filled with unclean animals, which led to the pivotal decision to bring the gospel to the Gentiles. The fact that Peter lodged with a tanner — a profession considered ceremonially unclean — may itself indicate Peter's growing openness to crossing traditional boundaries.
Biblical Context
Multiple men named Simon appear throughout the New Testament. Simon the Zealot was one of the Twelve (Matthew 10:4; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13). Simon the brother of Jesus is mentioned in Matthew 13:55 and Mark 6:3. Simon the leper hosted Jesus in Bethany (Matthew 26:6; Mark 14:3). Simon the Pharisee hosted Jesus in Luke 7:36-50. Simon of Cyrene carried Jesus' cross (Matthew 27:32; Mark 15:21). Simon Iscariot was the father of Judas (John 6:71; 13:26). Simon Magus appears in Acts 8:9-24, and Simon the tanner in Acts 9:43; 10:6.
Theological Significance
The various Simons of the New Testament illustrate the breadth of Jesus' ministry and its impact on vastly different kinds of people. From a political zealot to a Pharisee, from a healed leper to a foreign bystander at the crucifixion, these individuals represent the full range of humanity that encountered Jesus. Simon Magus serves as a warning against attempting to commercialize spiritual power, while Simon the tanner's story shows how the gospel crossed boundaries of ritual purity.
Historical Background
Simon was one of the most common Jewish names in the Second Temple period, derived from the Hebrew Simeon. The popularity of the name is confirmed by both literary sources and ossuaries (bone boxes) discovered in Jerusalem and throughout Judea. Cyrene, the home of Simon who carried the cross, was an important North African city with a large Jewish diaspora community. The presence of Cyrenian Jews in Jerusalem for Passover is well attested. Tanning, Simon the tanner's profession, was considered ritually impure because it involved contact with animal carcasses, and tanneries were typically located outside city walls near water sources.