Simon the Canaanite - Luke calls him “Simon Zelotes,” the zealous. It is probable that he was one of a small sect of the Jews called “Zealots,” on account of special zeal in religion. His native place was probably “Cana.” Afterward he might with propriety be called by either title.Judas Iscariot - It is probable this name was given to him to designate his native place. Carioth was a small town in the tribe of Judah. read more
Matthew 10:2-4. The first, Simon The first who was called to a constant attendance on Christ: although Andrew had seen him before Simon, John 1:41. James the son of Zebedee The fisherman, and John his brother The beloved disciple; who were also called at the same time with the two former, as they were fishing at the sea of Galilee, Mark 1:19. The word Ιακωβος , which we translate James, is the same name with that of the patriarch; but immemorial custom has appropriated, in our... read more
36. Jesus chooses the twelve apostles (Matthew 9:35-10:4; Mark 3:7-19; Luke 6:12-19)The more Jesus’ work grew, the more people came seeking him; and the more deeply saddened he became as he saw the confused and helpless spiritual condition of the Jewish people. There were plenty of opportunities for worthwhile work but there were few workers, and Jesus asked his followers to pray that God would supply the right workers to meet the need (Matthew 9:35-38; Mark 3:7-12).So urgent was the need that... read more
Canaanite. The Aramaic word for the Greek Zelotes (Luke 6:15 .Acts 1:13; Acts 1:13 ) = Zealot: so called from his zeal for the Law. See App-94 . Josephus ( Bell . Jud. Matthew 4:3 , Matthew 4:9 ) says the sect of "Zealots" did not arise till just before the fall of Jerusalem. Judas Iscariot. The only apostle not from Galilee. He belonged to Judah. also betrayed Him = even betrayed Him. betrayed = delivered up. read more
4. Simon the Canaanite—rather "Kananite," but better still, "the Zealot," as he is called in Luke 6:15, where the original term should not have been retained as in our version ("Simon, called Zelotes"), but rendered "Simon, called the Zealot." The word "Kananite" is just the Aramaic, or Syro-Chaldaic, term for "Zealot." Probably before his acquaintance with Jesus, he belonged to the sect of the Zealots, who bound themselves, as a sort of voluntary ecclesiastical police, to see that the law was... read more
2. Jesus’ commissioning of 12 disciples 10:1-4 (cf. Mark 6:7; Luke 9:1-2) read more
The 12 special disciples now received the title "apostles." This noun, apostolos in Greek, comes from the verb apostello meaning "to send." This was not a technical term until Jesus made it such. It continued to refer generally to people sent out with the Christian message such as Barnabas (Acts 14:4; Acts 14:14; Romans 16:7; 1 Corinthians 12:28-29; 2 Corinthians 8:23; Philippians 2:25). It referred to any messenger (John 13:16) and even to Jesus (Hebrews 3:1). Paul became an apostle who... read more
10:4 Cananaean, (e-3) Very probably the Hebrew word for the Greek term Zelotes , 'Zealot.' see Luke 6:15 . read more
Mission of the Twelve1. Mission of the Twelve (Mark 6:7; Luke 9:1). This mission was intended partly to prepare the way for visits from Jesus Himself, and partly to train the apostles for their future ministry. He sent them out ’two and two’ (Mk), for the sake of mutual encouragement. That is the true method of undertaking missionary work, as the experience of St. Paul shows. The apostles were to preach a little, but not much, since they were beginners. They were to prepare the way for Jesus,... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 10:4
Simon the Canaanite . Simon the Cananaean (Revised Version); ὁκαναναῖος representing Kann ' an or Kan- ' an ( נאנק ), the Aramaic for "Zealot" (parallel passage in Luke; Acts 1:13 ), the name given to members of the extreme nationalist party founded about a.d. 7 by Judas of Gamala, a city that appears to have lain near the east coast of the sea of Galilee ( vide Schurer, 1. 2.225). And Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him; delivered him up , which seems more in... read more