Simon

AI summary: This Simon matters because the cross references preserve him among the twelve in every major apostolic list, even though he is given little individual narrative spotlight. His designation as the Zealot hints at a prior ideological identity that has now been absorbed into loyalty to Jesus and shared mission with very different kinds of disciples. That contrast is itself significant. Taken together, the material presents this Simon as an apostolic witness whose presence testifies to the surprising social range of Jesus' followers.¹

One of the twelve apostles, called the Canaanite (Matt. 10:4; Mark 3:18). This word “Canaanite” does not mean a native of Canaan, but is derived from the Syriac word Kanean or Kaneniah, which was the name of a Jewish sect. The Revised Version has “Cananaean;” marg., “or Zealot” He is also called “Zelotes” (Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13; R.V., “the Zealot”), because previous to his call to the apostleship he had been a member of the fanatical sect of the Zealots. There is no record regarding him. ³