Though motivated primarily by socio-economic and political factors, the Zealots also had prophetic ideas driving them. They believed that if they turned Israel back to God and incited war against the Romans, the Messiah would arise to lead them and establish His Kingdom.
Why did the Zealots dislike Jesus?
They saw Jesus associating with the common people and saw them cheering Him, loving Him. They couldn’t stand it because they were envious and suspicious of His popularity. The second reason why they hated Him was because He exposed them.
What did the Zealots do to Jesus?
Zealots engaged in politics and anarchy, attempting to overthrow the Roman government. He may have been a politician or a revolutionary. When he joined Jesus, he remained zealous, but with allegiance to Jesus rather than political revolution.
What does the Bible say about Zealots?
The Zealots do not figure prominently in the biblical records. But there are references to them. One of the twelve, Simon Zelotes ( Mk.3:18) was probably a member of some group originally. Barabbas was clearly a zealot; the term used to describe him in John 18:40 is the same word used by Josephus to describe the Zealots.
What was the relationship between the Zealots and Jesus?
theologians and Biblical scholars have used the Zealots, viewed as advocates of violent revolt, as a foil over against whom Jesus ap- pears as the sober prophet of non-resistance.2 Within New Testa- ment studies the view of the Zealots as a religiously motivated
What are Zealots known for?
The Zealots were an aggressive political party whose concern for the national and religious life of the Jewish people led them to despise even Jews who sought peace and conciliation with the Roman authorities.
What did the Zealots believe about the Messiah?
The Zealots looked forward to a Messiah whom God would send to expel the Romans from Palestine and restore the Kingdom of God to the chosen people. The Essenes also looked forward to the coming of Messiah. They were preoccupied with a heavenly Messiah, who would bring a heavenly Kingdom.
What is the meaning of Zealots in the Bible?
a zealous personDefinition of zealot 1 : a zealous person especially : a fanatical partisan a religious zealot. 2 capitalized : a member of a fanatical sect arising in Judea during the first century a.d. and militantly opposing the Roman domination of Palestine.
What did the Zealots believe in the Bible?
The Zealots advocated violence against the Romans, their Jewish collaborators, and the Sadducees, by raiding for provisions and other activities to aid their cause.
Is Jesus a zealot?
The Romans crucified him as a rebel, a zealot and a pretender to the Judean throne. The charge on the cross is historical: the Romans took Jesus as claiming to be the messianic king of the Jews.
What is a zealot today?
Nowadays, a zealot is usually someone, outside a group or cause, who embraces that group's ethic and goes overboard, giving them 'street creds. ' The modern zealot is distinguished by being neither gentle nor genuine; a character totally divorced from his biblical namesake.
What is an example of a zealot?
The definition of a zealot is someone who is fanatical about a belief. An example of a zealot is an extremely religious person. A member of a Jewish movement of the first century ad that fought against Roman rule in Palestine as incompatible with strict monotheism. One who is zealous, especially excessively so.
Which of the 12 disciples was a zealot?
Saint Simon the ApostleSaint Simon the Apostle, also called Simon the Zealot, (flourished 1st century ad—died, Persia or Edessa, Greece?; Western feast day October 28, Eastern feast day June 19), one of the Twelve Apostles.
Did the Zealots convinced many to rebel against the Christians?
The Zealots convinced many to rebel against the Christians. Although the pope claimed that he was head of all Christian churches, Byzantines thought other bishops were equal to the pope. This empire conquered the people of Judah in 63 B.C.
Which of Jesus disciples was a zealot?
Saint Simon the ApostleSaint Simon the Apostle, also called Simon the Zealot, (flourished 1st century ad—died, Persia or Edessa, Greece?; Western feast day October 28, Eastern feast day June 19), one of the Twelve Apostles.
Was Simon the Zealot a disciple of Jesus?
Simon the Zealot (Acts 1:13, Luke 6:15) or Simon the Canaanite or Simon the Canaanean (Matthew 10:4, Mark 3:18; Greek: Σίμων ὁ Κανανίτης; Coptic: ⲥⲓⲙⲱⲛ ⲡⲓ-ⲕⲁⲛⲁⲛⲉⲟⲥ; Classical Syriac: ܫܡܥܘܢ ܩܢܢܝܐ) was one of the most obscure among the apostles of Jesus.
Why did the Roman government fear the spread of Christianity?
Opposition, Arrest, and Death. Why did the Roman government fear the spread of Christianity? Officials feared that Christians refused to worship Roman gods because they were disloyal. Romans also worried that the gods would be angry if people who became Christians stopped worshiping them.
Who was the founder of the Zealots?
Judah of Gaulanitis is regarded as the founder of the Zealots, who are identified as the proponents of the Fourth Philosophy. In the original sources, however, no such identification is anywhere clearly made, and the question is hardly raised of the relationship between the Sicarii, the upholders of the Fourth Philosophy, and the Zealots. Josephus himself in his general survey of the various groups of freedom fighters (War 7:268–70) enumerates the Sicarii first, whereas he mentions the Zealots last.
What does "zealot" mean in Hebrew?
Etymology. The term zealot, the common translation of the Hebrew kanai ( קנאי , frequently used in plural form, קנאים , kana'im ), means one who is zealous on behalf of God. The term derives from Greek ζηλωτής ( zelotes ), "emulator, zealous admirer or follower".
Where is the statue of Simon the Zealot?
Statue of Simon the Zealot by Hermann Schievelbein at the roof of the Helsinki Cathedral.
Who was Simon the Zealot?
Simon the Zealot was listed among the apostles selected by Jesus in the Gospel of Luke and in the Acts of the Apostles. Two of Judas of Galilee's sons, Jacob and Simon, were involved in a revolt and were executed by Tiberius Alexander, the procurator of Iudaea province from 46 to 48.
What was the Jewish orthodoxy?
Jewish nationalism. Jewish orthodoxy. The Zealots were a political movement in 1st-century Second Temple Judaism which sought to incite the people of Judea Province to rebel against the Roman Empire and expel it from the Holy Land by force of arms, most notably during the First Jewish–Roman War (66–70).
What was the significance of the Zealots?
Of importance in New Testament history, the Zealots led a rebellion when Rome introduced imperial cult worship. The Great Jewish Revolt began in A.D. 66. The Zealots successfully overtook Jerusalem, but their revolt was ultimately unsuccessful. In A.D. 70, the Romans destroyed the city of Jerusalem and the temple. A remnant of the Zealots then took refuge in Masada.
What was the purpose of the Zealots?
The Zealots were members of a first-century political movement among Judean Jews who sought to overthrow the occupying Roman government. The word zealot derives from the Greek zelotes, meaning “emulator or (zealous) follower.”.
What did Josephus say about the Zealots?
Josephus notes that the Zealots “agree in all other things with the Pharisaic notions; but they have an inviolable attachment to liberty, and say that God is to be their only Ruler and Lord" ( Antiquities 18.1.6).
Who did Jesus choose to be the Zealot?
Jesus chose Simon the Zealot, a man who likely desired to forcibly remove the Roman government, and He also chose Matthew, a tax collector working for the Roman government. Both Simon and Matthew, though natural enemies, were part of the Twelve.
Why are the Zealots called terrorists?
Because of their often-violent tactics, the Zealots have been called some of the world’s first terrorists. Though the label is only partially true (not all Zealots were violent), the reputation of Zealots as forceful, aggressive agitators carries a significant lesson for us.
Who were the Zealots?
The Zealots were revolutionaries who plotted actively against the Roman oppression. That the Pharisees did not react in...
What was the Zealots party?
The Zealots were an aggressive political party whose concern for the national and religious life of the Jewish people led them to despise even Jews who sought peace and. Zealot | Judaism | Britannica. BrowseSearch. QuizzesGamesOn This Day.
Why did the census of Galilee cause the Zealots to rally the populace to noncompliance?
A census of Galilee ordered by Rome in ad6 spurred the Zealots to rally the populace to noncompliance on the grounds that agreement was an implicitacknowledgment by Jews of the right of pagans to rule their nation.
What did the Zealots believe?
This description of the Zealots made clear they held to the teachings of the Torah, yet believed they were to be enforced through activism and even acts of violence. This belief would later play an important role in the history of Israel that would influence the writers of the New Testament.
What was the purpose of the Zealots?
The Zealots were a political movement among Jews who sought to overthrow the occupying Roman government. The term Zealots comes from the Greek word zelotes that means emulator or zealous follower.
What did Simon the Zealot learn about the worldview?
However, in the midst of teaching about being a peacemaker ( Matthew 5:9) and speaking about a kingdom not of this world, Simon the Zealot found himself learning about a worldview that stood in contradiction with his likely desires to overthrow his occupying government.
Who was Simon the Zealot?
An understanding of the Zealots, however, helps to highlight the choice of Simon the Zealot as one of the first disciples of Jesus. Many think of the tax collector Matthew as the most unpopular choice Jesus made for a disciple. However, in the midst of teaching about being a peacemaker ( Matthew 5:9) and speaking about a kingdom not of this world, ...
What did the Zealots represent?
The Zealots represented a principle and a policy that the other groups did not share . The Sadducees lived a good life and sought power in high places. The Pharisees believed that it was God's will to live in the world in which God had placed them, to remain pure, and to meet the temptations, the dangers, and the trials. 1 And the Essenes simply fled from the conflict and took refuge in their desert commune. But opposite the Essenes were the Zealots who would confront any opposition directly.
Who were the zealots in the Bible?
But there are references to them. One of the twelve, Simon Zelotes ( Mk.3:18) was probably a member of some group originally. Barabbas was clearly a zealot; the term used to describe him in John 18:40 is the same word used by Josephus to describe the Zealots. And possibly Judas Iscariot had leanings towards their ideas.
How did Herford compare Judas to Mattathias?
Herford compares Judas to Mattathias (167 B.C.) in that he gathered around him those that were zealous for the Torah; they showed the same zeal. 8 But there is one major difference: in the days of Judas the Jews were free to worship as they wished for the most part.
What is the meaning of the word "zealot"?
2 The name itself is not difficult; it describes one who is filled with zeal or passionate intensity to fight for some threatened institution or ideal. 3 The term carries the connotation of a fanatic, one who was ready to go to extreme violence against Gentile oppressors. 4
What did Jesus teach about the kingdom?
Jesus taught that His kingdom was not of this world, otherwise His servants would fight; and that the work of His kingdom must not be enveloped in violence —no matter how much zeal the participants may have. We shall see more of this contrast in the subsequent chapters. 1 Herford, p. 64.
What are some examples of misguided zeal in the Church?
In the history of the Church there are many examples of such misguided zeal, most notably, the crusades. And the history of the Church is also stained with individuals who seized political power along with their religious authority.
What does the Hebrew word "zeal" mean?
3 The term in Hebrew can be translated "zeal" or "jealousy." The term describes the burning passion for a cause. If it is used in the negative sense, it would refer to envy, the burning desire for something off-limits.
What does the title Zealot mean?
So what does this title mean? It could mean he belonged to a Jewish sect known as the Zealots . The Zealots were associated with violent uprisings (including, later, the First Jewish-Roman War), and expected the coming Messiah to overthrow Rome using force.
Where did the name Zealot come from?
The moniker “the Zealot” comes from the Greek word zēlōtēs, which the Apostle Luke used in both his gospel and Acts to distinguish this Simon from Simon Peter. Matthew and Mark give him the title kananaios, which most scholars believe comes from the Aramaic word qan’an, meaning “zealous one.”
Who was Simon the Zealot?
Since the Apostle Simon is only listed among the apostles (and he’s completely absent from the Gospel of John ), there’s not much we can say about him. But here’s what we know.
What sect was Simon the Zealot in?
He may have belonged to a Jewish sect known as the Zealots, who were bent on revolution and looking for a Messiah to violently overthrow Rome. Or he may have simply been zealous for the Mosaic Law. Or even zealous for Jesus and his teachings.
What does the apostle Simon represent?
If that’s what “the Zealot” refers to, then like Matthew the Tax Collector, the Apostle Simon’s presence among the Twelve represents a powerful picture of the gospel. Jesus’ teachings (such as turning the other cheek and loving your enemies) were often the complete opposite of the ideology the Zealots embraced.
How many times are the apostles mentioned in the New Testament?
The New Testament lists all twelve apostles four times— Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:14-19, Luke 6:13-16, and Acts 1:13-16. While there are some variations in the order the apostles appear and even the names they went by, Simon is listed in all of them. He’s never mentioned in the Gospel of John, but John never explicitly lists all the apostles.
Who was Simon the Cananite?
Simon is mentioned occasionally in early church writings, but centuries after the gospels were written, Saint Jerome and others mistranslated Simon’s title, believing that Matthew and Mark referred to him as Simon the Cananite or Simon the Cananaean. They assumed he was from Cana—a town within Galilee—or ...
Overview
The Zealots were a political movement in 1st-century Second Temple Judaism which sought to incite the people of Judea Province to rebel against the Roman Empire and expel it from the Holy Land by force of arms, most notably during the First Jewish–Roman War (66–70). Zealotry was the term used by Josephus for a "fourth sect" or "fourth Jewish philosophy" during this period.
Etymology
The term zealot, the common translation of the Hebrew kanai (קנאי, frequently used in plural form, קנאים, kana'im), means one who is zealous on behalf of God. The term derives from Greek ζηλωτής (zelotes), "emulator, zealous admirer or follower".
History
Josephus' Jewish Antiquities states that there were three main Jewish sects at this time, the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the Essenes. The Zealots were a "fourth sect", founded by Judas of Galilee (also called Judas of Gamala) in the year 6 CE against the Census of Quirinius, shortly after the Roman Empire declared what had most recently been the tetrarchy of Herod Archelaus to be a Roman …
In the Talmud
In the Talmud, the Zealots are the non-religious (not following the religious leaders), and are also called the Biryonim (בריונים) meaning "boorish", "wild", or "ruffians", and are condemned for their aggression, their unwillingness to compromise to save the survivors of besieged Jerusalem, and their blind militarism against the rabbis' opinion to seek treaties for peace. However, according to one body of tradition, the rabbis initially supported the revolt up until the Zealots initiated a civil …
Sicarii
The Sicarii were a splinter group of the Jewish Zealots who, in the decades preceding Jerusalem's destruction in 70 CE, strongly opposed the Roman occupation of Judea and attempted to expel them and their sympathizers from the area. The Sicarii carried sicae, or small daggers, concealed in their cloaks. At public gatherings, they pulled out these daggers to attack Romans and alleged Roman sympathizers alike, blending into the crowd after the deed to escape detection.
Paul the Apostle
While most English translations of the Bible render the Greek word zelotes in Acts 22:3 and Galatians 1:14 of the New Testament as the adjective "zealous", an article by Mark R. Fairchild takes it to mean a Zealot and suggests that Paul the Apostle may have been a Zealot, which might have been the driving force behind his persecution of the Christians (see the stoning of Saint Stephen) before his conversion to Christianity, and the incident at Antioch, even after his convers…
See also
• Eifert
• Knanaya
• Sicarii (1989), a modern group inspired by the Sicarii
• Sikrikim, a modern group inspired by the Sicarii
External links
• Smith, Sydney F. (1913). "Zeal" . Catholic Encyclopedia.
• "Zealot" . New International Encyclopedia. 1905.