Simon the Zealot is one of the twelve disciples of Jesus, mentioned in the New Testament. Apparently known for his association with the Zealots, a Jewish political faction that sought independence from Rome, Simon's background contrasted with fellow disciples like Matthew, a tax collector for the Romans. His nickname "the Zealot" distinguished him from Simon Peter and could reflect either his political past or his enthusiasm for Jewish law or for Jesus' teachings. Whatever the case, Simon embraced Jesus' mission, which focused on spiritual salvation rather than political revolution.
Regardless of his previous political affiliations or personality, Simon the Zealot chose to follow Jesus. As one of the people closest to Jesus he learned that Jesus came not to fight flesh and blood for a nation, but spiritual forces for souls. God the Father and Jesus are also identified as being zealous in the Bible, referring to their strong passion for protecting the spiritual integrity of Israel (e.g., Isaiah 9:7; 42:13; 59:14–20; John 2:17). The New Testament epistles also talk about believers in Christ being "zealous for good works" or "zealous for what is good" (Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 3:13; see also Romans 12:11; Revelation 3:19). Though Jesus had great zeal, turning over the vendors' tables in the temple was perhaps His only physically aggressive act. Jesus engaged those opposed to Him with words of truth fitly spoken. He did not fight back when they took Him to be crucified. Jesus did not concern Himself with matters of the state, but rather told the Pharisees, "Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's" (Matthew 22:21). He made it clear that salvation was available for everyone, healing and preaching to anyone willing to listen. In Luke 21:5–6, Jesus predicted that the temple in Jerusalem would be destroyed and that Gentiles would take over the Jewish capital. Jesus had not come to start a revolution; He came to die on the cross providing salvation for mankind. We are, likewise, called to be zealous for the things of the Lord: “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord” (Romans 12:11).