Bartholomew was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus (e.g.. Nathanael's prologue establishes his aspiration to be a great architect. We don't see any signs of Jesse responding to his healing in a sketchy way in Episode 4 of The Chosen Season 2. That's why The Chosen works to portray each new disciple as a fully-realized, three-dimensional person with a unique set of longings, gifts, and vices that ultimately demand a saving encounter with the person of Jesus. 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). In a book - and especially in a book that's written in a laconic style like the Gospels - it's possible to introduce characters like Simon and Nathanael without giving readers very much detail. It could mean he belonged to a Jewish sect known as the Zealots. Before watching The Chosen, had you ever given much thought to Simon the Zealot or Nathanael? We create research-based articles and handy infographics to help people understand the Bible. The Apostle Simon the Zealot . "[12][13], In the apocryphal Arabic Infancy Gospel a fact related to this apostle is mentioned. Jesse is the brother of Simon Z., and was the paralytic healed by Jesus at the Pool of Bethesda. Traditionally, it has been believed that Bartholomew was another name for Nathanael/Nathaniel. Nevertheless, what John gives us about Nathanael is much more substantial and evocative than what we get concerning Simon. Or did he in fact find a way to straddle the two movements? Simon the Zealot is saying a blessing which is a common blessing said in the morning. He is buried in the same tomb as Jude Thaddeus, in the left transept of the St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, under the altar of St. Joseph. What aspects of these characters stuck out to you? Many think that St. Simon was called the Zealot, before his coming to Christ, because he was one of that particular sect or party among the Jews called Zealots, from a singular zeal they possessed for the honor of God and the purity of religion. Simon the Zealot. He was one of the 12 main disciples of Jesus Christ, but he plays no particular role in the gospels and is only mentioned by name in lists of the apostles ( Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:16-19, Luke 6:14-16, Acts 1:1-13 ). 334.] He died after being crucified in Jerusalem during the First Revolt against Rome (also known as the Great Revolt). I'm sure that's why The Chosen decided to make Simon a former Zealot who has repented and turned to Jesus. Community formation does take precedence over the individual encounters in Season 2 of The Chosen, but individual encounters continue to be a source of great interest for the show. Again, I doubt that Simon the Zealot will be as central to The Chosen as Mary Magdalene or Matthew, but by establishing these key traits in his initial appearances, the show ensures that he can play a role and be recognized by audiences, even when he isn't driving the plot of the show. PROUDLY CREATED WITH WIX.COM. Two of them are among Jesus Twelve ApostlesSimon the Zealot and Simon Peter. In a modern screen adaptation, however, audiences expect more. In a smaller ensemble, it's common for character abilities to fall into basic archetypal patterns like. [citation needed]. We can connect Rufus with Rome because of Paul's letter to the Romans many years later. Jesus then simply tells him to get up and walk and he's healed. Episode 7 Guide: Did Nicodemus Follow Jesus? How do you think the show will influence the way you read biblical stories about them going forward? We know almost nothing about Simon the Zealot. In the place of the pool, what does he discover is a much better hope? Simon Peter (the disciple) Simon the Zealot (another disciple, which may be why Jesus called the other Simon, Peter) Simon the brother of Jesus (his other brothers were James, Joseph, and Judas) Simon the leper (the owner of the home where . Invalids - people with debilitating sicknesses, injuries, or birth defects - would often congregate around these miraculous places like Bethesda in hopes of having their sicknesses healed. Either "Zealot" is about the apostle's passionate faith, or his membership in a New Testament group called the "Zealots," or both. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Simon is mentioned occasionally in early church writings, but centuries after the gospels were written, Saint Jerome and others mistranslated Simons title, believing that Matthew and Mark referred to him as Simon the Cananite or Simon the Cananaean. At the time when he was healed, he had been paralyzed for thirty-eight years. In the description of the Pool of Bethesda in the King James Version, we are told: Readers of most modern translations will notice that this verse is not included in the main text of their translation (but it is typically found in the footnotes). Judas was apparently killed as a result of his actions.. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Because Season 2 of The Chosen is more focused on the drama of the budding Jesus community, however, the pre-Jesus backstories of its major new characters (Nathanael, Simon the Zealot, and Judas) have to be condensed and delivered in the episode prologues. The Apostle Paul talks about his own zeal and the zeal of the Israelites on multiple occasions (Philippians 3:6, Galatians 1:13-14, Acts 22:3, and Romans 10:1-4). as members of a sect called the Zealots.. While there may only be one path that saves us, that path can be entered through a variety doorways. [18] According to Caesar Baronius and Hippolytus of Rome, Simon's first arrival in Britain was in the year A.D.44, during the Roman conquest. He was one of the 12 main disciples of Jesus Christ, but he plays no particular role in the gospels and is only mentioned by name in lists of the apostles (Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:16-19, Luke 6:14-16, Acts 1:1-13). As The Chosen shifted its attention toward the formation of the church in Season 2, it would have been quite easy for the show to fill up the remaining roster of the disciples with two-dimensional background characters. Heres how Josephus described the Fourth Philosophy which became known as the Zealots: These men 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. A boy named Simon is bitten by a snake in his hand; he is healed by Jesus, who told the child "you shall be my disciple". Regardless of why this line was included, we know nothing else about the angel described - if he even existed. Another account says he was crucified in 61 AD in Britain. Episode 7 Guide: Did Nicodemus Follow Jesus? Like many of the apostles, its hard to conclude exactly which tradition (if any) can be trusted: Like many of the lesser-known apostles, most of Simon the Zealots life and identity remains a mystery, and the few details the Bible gives us has led to centuries of speculation, little of which can be confirmed or denied. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. He has also been identified with Simon, the brother of Jesus.and also there are reasons in favor of identifying him with Nathaniel. The second explanation is that the show wanted this story to have a happy ending and so it significantly changed it to end in the desired place. By the time the Gospels mention Simon (e.g. Logos Bible Software 10 review: Do you REALLY need it? Besides, zealousness is a quality that frequently comes up in Scripture, so it could have easily been a description of a positive quality Simon possessed, rather than a sect he belonged toespecially if that group wasnt known by that name at the time. When his building collapses, Nathanael fears that his dream of building something great for God has collapsed as well. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. They assumed he was from Canaa town within Galileeor possibly Canaan, an ancient region in the near east which was frequently mentioned in the Bible. Which disciples seem to be the potential leaders of the group? (John 21:1-8, ESV), Nathanael sitting under a fig tree in Season 2 of The Chosen, In order for characters to contribute to an ensemble in a meaningful way, it's important for each of them to have unique gifts or abilities. Simon Peter said to them, I am going fishing. They said to him, We will go with you. They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When he surrendered to Vespasian, he claimed Jewish messianic prophecies were about Vespasian becoming the emperor of Rome, and lo and behold Vespasian decided to let him live, taking him on as a slave. It was most likely an underground hot spring. Simon received no more than four mentions in the Bible, but the mystery of the identity of this apostle deepened with his epithet or nickname: the Zealot. While the conflict among the disciples and their struggle to come together temporarily takes the backseat, this miracle-of-the-week storyline is one of the most intricately constructed episodes of The Chosen so far. Did the healing of the invalid man by the Pool of Bethesda play out like you expected? Scripture background: Matthew 10:4 ("Canaanite") Mark 3:18 (Zealot) Luke 6:15 Acts 1:13. What do you think he meant by it? Eastern tradition claims he died of old age in Edessa. Rhoades concludes that the term zealot is ambiguous enough for there to be more than one valid interpretation: Some scholars assume that citations to zeal and zealots in the 1st century, such as the NT references to Simon the zealot, refer to a Jewish sect of Zealots dedicated to revolution against Rome. (Plots & Theme), Episode 2 Guide: Philip, Nathanael, & Matthew, Episode 3 Guide: Life Among the Disciples of Jesus, Episode 4 Guide: Simon the Zealot & the Man at the Bethesda Pool, Episode 5 Guide: Mary's Demons & the Destiny of John the Baptist, Episode 8 Guide: Judas, Matthew, & the Sermon on the Mount, Episode 1 Guide: Mary Magdalene, Lilith, and the Redeemer, Episode 2 Guide: Mary Magdalene, Nicodemus, and Shabbat, Episode 3 Guide: Depicting Jesus in Art, Film, and TV, Episode 4 Guide: When Jesus Met Simon (Peter), Episode 6 Guide: Jesus, Shmuel, & the Pharisees. Come and See is a devotional journal designed specifically for studying Bible movies and shows like The Chosen. Others have seen a connection to the description of the peaceful abundance of Solomon's reign, when every Israelite sat under his own fig tree (. Notice that the man doesn't reply directly to Jesus' question. What emotions do you imagine you'd feel? Although Nathanael will probably never be a key figure in The Chosen, by giving his character these clear traits, the show makes it possible for him to contribute on occasion in meaningful ways. Reflecting on The Chosen Season 3 & Anticipating Season 4: What Worked & What to Fix, The Chosen Season 3: What to Expect & How to Watch, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 1 & Episode 2: Reaction and Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 3: Recap, Review, & Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 4: Recap, Review, & Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 5: Recap, Review, & Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episode 6: Recap, Review, & Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episodes 7 & 8: Recap, Review, & Analysis, The Chosen Season 3 Episodes 1 & 2: Questions to Discuss Before the Premiere, Preparing for The Chosen Season 3: 7 Episodes to Watch, I am the Law of Moses (The Chosen Season 3 Controversy), Quintus, Gaius, Atticus, and the Romans in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Little James in The Chosen & Scripture ***Season 3***, Pontius Pilate & his Wife in The Chosen ***Season 3***, Judas in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Matthew in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Simon and Andrew in The Chosen ***Season 3 Update***, Lilith, Demons, & Evil Spirits in The Chosen, Simon the Zealot & Nathanael in The Chosen, Episode 8 Guide: The Feeding of the 5,000. 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