Who is Simon in the Bible? 
Simeon was a member of the Zealots. He claimed to be the Messiah. He was also a leper. But, what is his connection to Jesus? Did he offer Peter and John money? These questions will help us better understand his story. Also, find out what he wore, what he said about God, and what his relationship with Jesus was like.
Simon was a member of the Zealots
A Zealot in the Bible was someone who fought for God. According to Josephus, the author of the Wars of the Jews, a Zealot was willing to kill a Roman if it meant achieving a political goal. They were fanatical religious terrorists who were motivated by their love of their nation and hatred of the Roman Empire. They eventually met Jesus, who turned their passions into a service to God.
While the Book of Acts does not mention Simon the Zealot’s ministry, it is likely that he played a significant role in the early church. While there are many theories about the exact role of this man, it is clear that the name zealot evokes images of violent uprisings and the devil. Regardless, the title may simply refer to Simon’s affiliation with a Jewish sect known as the Zealots. The Zealots’ goal was to oust the Roman Empire and set up a Mosaic theocracy.
Some historians believe that Simon was a member of the ZeaLOT group. There are two primary versions of his life. One version claims he was crucified in Persia in 61 AD, while another claims he was killed in Britain in the same year. Another version claims that Simon was martyred by an axe or club.
He claimed to be the Messiah
The story of Simon, who claimed to be the Messiah, is a complex one. His claim is based on two fundamental assumptions: that he was the Messiah and that his own body was a false apparition. Furthermore, Simon claimed that he had the power to separate the soul from the body. This, in turn, would allow him to fashion people from air. This, of course, would violate the Christian concept of the human soul.
While we do not know whether Simon claimed to be the Messiah, we can take from his message that he preached freedom to those who had been enslaved and oppressed. In this sense, his message is not dissimilar from Isaiah’s. Isaiah 61:1 predicted that the Anointed one would bring good news to the poor and proclaim freedom to captives. Although Jesus’ claims did not extend beyond Luke 4:18 (as the gospels do), Simon’s claims seem to have been shaped by his own faith and convictions.
However, Simon’s response to Jesus’ question does not reflect a deep sense of repentance. The apostles were ministering to the churches at the time, and the cult of Simon would have caused some of them to stumble. The mention of Simon’s sin could have been meant to serve as a warning to others.
He was a leper
Simon was a leper in the Bible, and Jesus probably healed him. Lepers had to live separately from the rest of society. It would have been taboo to eat with a leper during the Passover, and the social stigma would have made gatherings nearly impossible. In this case, Jesus was able to use Simon’s condition as a teaching opportunity.
Scripture mentions Simon the leper in Mark 14:3-9 and Matthew 26:6-13. While Jesus was staying in Bethany, Simon was invited to share a meal with him. While there, an unnamed woman broke an expensive flask of perfume and poured the oil over the Lord’s head. The disciples were indignant, but Jesus told them to leave the woman alone.
The name Simon was a common name in ancient Israel. There were at least eight men named Simon in the Bible. In addition to Simon the Leper, the Bible also mentions Simon the Zealot, who was a disciple of Jesus. Another biblical story about Simon was the story of his carrying the cross. Because his name is similar to the other Simons in the Bible, the title “Simon the Leper” was added to distinguish him from the others.
Jesus and his disciples were in Bethany when they met Simon the leper. The disciples think that the leper should sell his expensive ointment, but Jesus insists that the leper anoint his head. When Judas comes forward, he offers to turn Jesus over to the chief priests. Judas agrees, and the chief priests pay him thirty silver pieces, which was the cost of a common slave.
He offered Peter and John money
The incident in which Simon in the Bible offered Peter and John money is a fascinating example of a man who strayed from the Christian faith. Although Simon claimed to be a Christian, his actions and intentions were entirely unchristian. He was an astute imposter who had been sanctified by water but never truly regenerated. Simon was a clever fake, one of Satan’s astute ploys. Peter, however, would have recognized Simon’s face in the crowd of Samaritans.
Although the act of offering money was not entirely un-Christian, it was against the Christian faith and against the spirit of grace. Simon’s sin, which is un-Christian, was such that Peter had to speak a harsh word to him in order to shock him into repentance. However, Peter’s words were not designed to scold Simon but to highlight the specific nature of Simon’s sin and encourage repentance.
This incident highlights the danger of monetary gifts in the Christian faith. Simon sought power and popularity by offering the apostles money for a gift. However, gifts of God can’t be purchased and are a manifestation of God’s grace. After Peter calls him out, Simon repents and fears God’s punishment.
He deserted Jesus during his trial and crucifixion
We know that Judas betrayed Jesus, but how exactly did he do it? The Bible does not give us a clear answer. It does not give us scenes in which Judas defends his actions, and it does not say what changed in Judas’ thinking to make him decide to abandon Jesus.
The religious leaders agreed that Jesus should be put to death, but they did not have the authority under Roman law. So they took Jesus to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, and falsely accused him of treason against the Roman Empire and urging people not to pay taxes.
After Jesus’ arrest, the disciples told him that they had two swords. In Luke 22:38, Peter cuts the ear of Malchus, but Simon kept the other sword hidden. He then deserted Jesus during the trial and crucifixion. He is not mentioned in the Bible again until his crucifixion, but he was likely scared for his life when he was ordered to carry Jesus’ cross by the Roman soldiers.
After Jesus’ trial, Joseph of Arimathea, Jesus’ cousin, and the disciple John were all present. Joseph, who was a member of the Sanhedrin, had no doubt been opposed to the trial. But he secretly believed in Jesus as the Messiah, and feared the consequences of publicly stating this belief. After Jesus’ death, Joseph of Arimathea, one of his followers, requested the body of Jesus.
He was a member of a freedom-fighting group
Jesus rejected political terrorism, unless it was clearly a violation of His moral laws. He emphasized that the greatest battle is against the powers of darkness and principalities in high places. Zealous unbelievers often have a hard time grasping spiritual warfare. Jesus dealt with the political leaders of His time, but He emphasized the heart of man and his zeal was aimed at the soul.
Simon was a member of a group that fought against Roman rule. His attitude towards Jewish independence was likely to put him at odds with Matthew, who collected taxes for the Roman government. Interestingly, Jesus assembled a diverse group of disciples, including Simon the Zealot.
The Bible describes Simon as a zealot. He was a member of the Twelve Apostles. Jesus asked Simon to join the group. He kept that zeal throughout his life and until his death. This zeal for freedom was one of the characteristics that distinguished Simon the zealot.
He was a disciple of Peter
While there are other disciples of Jesus, the Gospel of John highlights Simon as a disciple of Peter. Peter is the only one of the apostles in the Bible who is given more attention by the Bible authors than any of the others. He is listed first in the lists of the Twelve apostles, and Matthew describes him as “the first of the apostles.” Peter is one of the most prominent figures in the gospels and the book of Acts, and he is often the first to point out obvious things. As such, many accounts in the Bible portray Peter as a leader and a disciple of Jesus.
Peter was a strong leader, but he had his own shortcomings. He denied Jesus three times before the crucifixion. Nevertheless, he repented and was forgiven by Jesus. After the resurrection, Jesus re-commissioned Peter as an apostle and sent him out to preach the good news to the Jews. This act led to the conversion of thousands of Jews.
Although Peter is a character in the Bible, we don’t know much about his early life. Early historians like Tertullan, Origen, and Flavius Josephus have given us a limited understanding of Peter’s life. Despite his limited biblical records, he was probably in Rome during the time of Nero.