Simon’s Missionary Journeys

simon journey small

The Apostle Simon is known both as Simon the Zealot [Lk 6:15, Acts 1:13] and Simon of Cana [Mt 10:4, Mk 3:18]. Chronologically speaking, Simon is first mentioned (without being named) in John’s account of the wedding in Cana of Galilee, where the Lord miraculously turned the water into wine at the request of His mother Mary.

Simon was the groom at that very wedding. Witnessing this miracle made quite an impression on Simon who subsequently left his home, his parents and his bride in his abundant and fiery zeal to follow after Christ – hence the name “the Zealot”. He was also the Father of Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus. [Jn 6:71]

However, I personally believe Simon, and his son Judas Iscariot, may actually have been members of the Jewish sect called “The Zealots” (6 – 73 AD) which was based on Israel not being governed by other countries, as fought for in the Maccabean Revolt (167 – 141 BC). They 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. It may even explain why Judas betrayed Jesus.

A census of Galilee ordered by Rome in 6 AD [Lk 2:1-7], spurred the Zealots to rally the populace to noncompliance on the grounds that agreement was an implicit acknowledgment by Jews of the right of pagans to rule their nation.

Like many of the Zealots, it is possible Simon had initially followed Jesus for political reasons, wondering if Jesus was the kind of revolutionary leader who would finally lead Israel in open revolt against their Roman oppressors.

But, Jesus himself affirmed the role and jurisdiction of earthly governments and authorities, saying, “Pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” [Mark 12:17].

It is also worth noting who this Simon isn’t. Also mentioned in the New Testament is Simon Peter, obviously, not the same as this Simon. Then there is Simon of Cyrene, who carried the Cross of Christ to Golgotha for Him. Simon of Cyrene was the father of two of the 70 apostles the Lord sends out in Luke chapter 10.

In addition to these, there is Simon or Simeon the stepbrother of the Lord according to the flesh, who was also one of the 70 in Luke chapter 10. He succeeded James, the stepbrother of the Lord, as bishop of Jerusalem after James’ martyrdom. Thus, there are 4 different men by the name of Simon mentioned in the New Testament.

After Pentecost, the missionary journeys of the Apostle Simon were quite extensive. Unfortunately, we don’t have as many details for him as we do for Peter’s or Paul’s travels. However, we do have reports of many places in which he spread the Gospel, including North Africa, Britain and Persia:

  • Egypt
  • Cyrene, Lybia
  • Numidia
  • Mauritania
  • Glastonbury, England
  • London, England
  • Persia (Modern Iran)
  • Abkhazia (region NE of the Black Sea)

Simon’s journeys are the least well known of all the Apostles and how and where he died is widely disputed, but is believed to be around 65 AD.