Why Was Simon the Zealot Called a Zealot, and what did they believe?

Who Were the Zealots and What Did They Believe?

Dear Bro. Waddey:
I have been reading about the Apostles. I am curious about Simon the Zealot. To be called a zealot is no compliment in our world today. Why is he called a zealot?
-Maurice

Dear Maurice:
Before he became a disciple of Jesus, Simon was a member of a militant Jewish political party call The Zealots. Of course, the word zealot means a zealous one. The Zealots were a quasi-political group founded by Judas of Galilee in 7. A.D. They resented the taxation imposed on their nation by the Romans. Judas taught his followers, "No God but Jehovah; no tax but to the temple; no friend but a Zealot." They were pledged to drive the Roman's out of their country at any price. Members of The Zealots were generally hot-blooded and did not hesitate to use violence to accomplish their goals. Many Romans and Jewish collaborators fell to assassins of the Zealots party. It was a band of Zealots who perished in the Roman siege of Massada.

Sincerely,

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