A Hebrew zealot was an Israelite who totally advocated regaining Jewish rule for Judea back from the Roman Empire which had conquered Judea. The zealots ended up being defeated after a military attempt to regain control in 68 A.D. The Roman empire demolished Jerusalem in 70 A.D., murdered over one million people, and drove the Jewish survivors from their homeland. It was an epic tragedy.
Simon the Zealot is not recorded as saying anything in the Bible. Some think Simon the Zealot may have been one of the people asking the question recorded in Luke 1:6 “Then they gathered around him and asked him, ‘Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?’”(NIV). We do not know if he said this, but it would have been the concern of a Hebrew zealot.
Simon the Zealot definitely ministered in Africa, he probably ministered in modern day England though it may have been brief, and he possibly died in Persia. Like many apostles, Simon apparently ministered in more than one place, but the historical evidence is trickier to put together. If you want to study an excellent examination for Simon the Zealot, read chapter 13 of Dr. McBirnie’s book.[1]
How incredible a man who was so devoted to his own country ended up ministering in countries which were not even allies with his beloved country. He likely went into parts of Africa, first and foremost Mauritana, which were away from the more culturally diverse towns near the Mediterranean Sea. The kingdom Simon the Zealot became concerned with was God’s Kingdom.
Dorman Newman had a book published about the apostles in 1685, which is in the British Museum, and which I have had a dream to read for over one decade. Dr. McBirnie cites Newman’s book throughout his book. Dorman Newman gives a fine overview regarding Simon's physical death, explaining there is a dispute as to whether he was crucified in Great Britain, or martyred in Persia.[2] I add Dr. McBirnie strongly goes with the site of Persia.
Hunter Irvine
[1] William McBirnie, The Search for the Twelve Apostles
(Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, 1973), 207-231.
[2] William McBirnie, The Search for the Twelve Apostles
(Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, 1973), 210-211.
[1] William McBirnie, The Search for the Twelve Apostles
(Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, 1973), 207-231.
[2] William McBirnie, The Search for the Twelve Apostles
(Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, 1973), 210-211.
