Simon

The abbreviated form of Simeon. (1.) One of the twelve apostles, called the Canaanite (Matt. 10:4; Mark 3:18). This word “Canaanite” does not mean a native of Canaan, but is derived from the Syriac word Kanean or Kaneniah, which was the name of a Jewish sect. The Revised Version has “Cananaean;” marg., “or Zealot” He is also called “Zelotes” (Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13; R.V., “the Zealot”), because previous to his call to the apostleship he had been a member of the fanatical sect of the Zealots. There is no record regarding him. (2.) The father of Judas Iscariot (John 6:71; 13:2, 26). (3.) One of the brothers of our Lord (Matt. 13:55; Mark 6:3). (4.) A Pharisee in whose house “a woman of the city which was a sinner” anointed our Lord’s feet with ointment (Luke 7:36-38). (5.) A leper of Bethany, in whose house Mary anointed our Lord’s head with ointment “as he sat at meat” (Matt. 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9). (6.) A Jew of Cyrene, in North Africa, then a province of Libya. A hundred thousand Jews from Palestine had been settled in this province by Ptolemy Soter (B.C. 323-285), where by this time they had greatly increased in number. They had a synagogue in Jerusalem for such of their number as went thither to the annual feasts. Simon was seized by the soldiers as the procession wended its way to the place of crucifixion as he was passing by, and the heavy cross which Christ from failing strength could no longer bear was laid on his shoulders. Perhaps they seized him because he showed sympathy with Jesus. He was the “father of Alexander and Rufus” (Matt. 27:32). Possibly this Simon may have been one of the “men of Cyrene” who preached the word to the Greeks (Acts 11:20). (7.) A sorcerer of great repute for his magical arts among the Samaritans (Acts 8:9-11). He afterwards became a professed convert to the faith under the preaching of Philip the deacon and evangelist (12, 13). His profession was, however, soon found to be hollow. His conduct called forth from Peter a stern rebuke (8:18-23). From this moment he disappears from the Church’s history. The term “Simony,” as denoting the purchase for money of spiritual offices, is derived from him. (8.) A Christian at Joppa, a tanner by trade, with whom Peter on one occasion lodged (Acts 9:43). (9.) Simon Peter (Matt. 4:18). See PETER.

(contracted form of Simeon, a hearing).

SI'MON (a hearing), contracted from SIM'EON, a native of Samaria, and a famous sorcerer, who professed to be a convert to the Christian faith, and was baptized as such by Philip, but was severely rebuked by Peter as a hypocrite because, under the influence of mercenary motives, he desired apostolic gifts. Acts 8:9. Hence the buying and selling of ecclesiastical rights, benefits, or privileges is called simony - a high offence against the purity and integrity of the Christian faith, and one of which the seller and buyer are equally guilty. Simon Peter. Matt 4:18. See Peter. Simon the Canaanite, Matt 10:4, or Simon Zelotes (or the zealous), one of the twelve apostles; was one of the party called Zealots, hence his name. The epithet "Canaanite" is properly "Kananite," the Chaldee for "zeal," and has no reference to locality. The brother of our Lord, Matt 13:55; Mark 6:3; not to be confounded with the preceding, nor with Symeon, who succeeded James as bishop of the church in Jerusalem. A Pharisee. Luke 7:36. A leper. Matt 26:6. The father of Judas Iscariot. John 6:71. The man of Cyrene who was compelled to bear our Saviour's cross when the latter was no longer able. Matt 27:32; Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26; John 19:17. The tanner at Joppa with whom Peter lodged. Acts 9:43.

that hears; that obeys

SI'MON (a hearing), contracted from SIM'EON, a native of Samaria, and a famous sorcerer, who professed to be a convert to the Christian faith, and was baptized as such by Philip, but was severely rebuked by Peter as a hypocrite because, under the influence of mercenary motives, he desired apostolic gifts. Acts 8:9. Hence the buying and selling of ecclesiastical rights, benefits, or privileges is called simony - a high offence against the purity and integrity of the Christian faith, and one of which the seller and buyer are equally guilty. Simon Peter. Matt 4:18. See Peter. Simon the Canaanite, Matt 10:4, or Simon Zelotes (or the zealous), one of the twelve apostles; was one of the party called Zealots, hence his name. The epithet "Canaanite" is properly "Kananite," the Chaldee for "zeal," and has no reference to locality. The brother of our Lord, Matt 13:55; Mark 6:3; not to be confounded with the preceding, nor with Symeon, who succeeded James as bishop of the church in Jerusalem. A Pharisee. Luke 7:36. A leper. Matt 26:6. The father of Judas Iscariot. John 6:71. The man of Cyrene who was compelled to bear our Saviour's cross when the latter was no longer able. Matt 27:32; Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26; John 19:17. The tanner at Joppa with whom Peter lodged. Acts 9:43.