Simon the Zealot

The path of Simon the Zealot

1. Before Jesus. Luke calls him “the Zealot,” the zealous one. Perhaps, before he followed Jesus, he was already passionate about the Law of God. Luke 6:15
2. With Jesus. Jesus chose him as one of the Twelve. There was another Simon in the group: Simon Peter. Luke 6:13-15
3. With Jesus. Matthew was in the same group. He had been a tax collector. Matthew 10:3-4
4. With Jesus. Jesus sent the Twelve out two by two. They preached and healed many sick people. Mark 6:7, 12-13
5. With Jesus. On the night of the arrest, all the disciples left Jesus and ran away. Matthew 26:56
6. Afterward. After the Ascension, he prayed in Jerusalem with the apostles, with Mary and with some women. Acts 1:13-14
7. Afterward. According to Tradition: According to a Latin tradition, he preached in Persia with Saint Jude Thaddeus, and he died there as a martyr. Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “St. Simon the Apostle”
8. Afterward. According to Tradition: His relics are kept in Saint Peter’s Basilica, in the Vatican. Vatican News, “Sts. Simon and Jude (Taddeo), Apostles”

Words of Simon the Zealot

The Gospels do not record a single word of his.

What they were like

• His nickname, “the Zealot,” means “zealous.” It is very likely that he had a burning zeal for God and for his Law. Luke 6:15; Benedict XVI, general audience of October 11, 2006

Not to be confused with

• Peter: There were two men named Simon among the Twelve. Jesus gave one of them the name Peter; this one was called the Zealot. Luke 6:14-15
• Among the relatives the Bible calls brothers of Jesus there is a Simon. Some believe he is the apostle; we do not know. Matthew 13:55; Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “St. Simon the Apostle”; Vatican News, “Sts. Simon and Jude (Taddeo), Apostles”
• Some, like Saint Jerome, thought that “Cananean” meant he was from Cana. But it comes from an Aramaic word that means “zealous.” Matthew 10:4; NABRE note on Mt 10, 2-4; Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “St. Simon the Apostle”

In the Church today

Feast day: October 28, Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles (feast). General Roman Calendar

Patron of: Of tanners Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “St. Simon the Apostle”

In art, recognized by: The saw: an old story says he was martyred with it Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “St. Simon the Apostle”; Less often, a lance Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “St. Simon the Apostle”

Simon the Zealot in art

What people ask

What does “Zealot” mean?

Zealous, passionate. “Cananean,” as Matthew and Mark call him, means the same thing. Matthew 10:4; Luke 6:15; Benedict XVI, general audience of October 11, 2006

Was Simon a rebel fighter?

We do not know. He may have belonged to the Zealots, or he may simply have been a man very passionate about God and his Law. Benedict XVI, general audience of October 11, 2006; NABRE note on Lc 6, 15

Why is he called “a Zealot”?

That is what Luke calls him: someone full of zeal. At the Mass for his feast in the United States, the Gospel reads “Simon who was called a Zealot.” He is the same Simon as in the lists of the Twelve. Luke 6:15; Lectionary for October 28 (USCCB, 2025)

How did Saint Simon die?

The Bible does not say. According to a Latin tradition, he died as a martyr in Persia, together with Saint Jude Thaddeus. Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “St. Simon the Apostle”

Why is his feast celebrated together with Saint Jude Thaddeus?

In all four lists of the Twelve their names go together, and tradition says they were companions in mission. Matthew 10:3-4; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15-16; Acts 1:13; Benedict XVI, general audience of October 11, 2006

Who Simon the Zealot is connected to

• Jesus · chose him

More people

All the people of the Bible · The Twelve Apostles · Women of the Bible