Matthew 10:4

Sunday, 11 May 2025

 

Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. Matthew 10:4

 

 “Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, the ‘also having betrayed Him’” (CG).

 

In the previous verse, the list of the twelve named apostles continued with six names. The final two are mentioned next, beginning with, “Simon the Kananaios.”

 

The name Simon has been explained. The title that is given to him is Kananaios, sometimes translated as a Canaanite. At other times, it is translated as a Zealot or some other word indicating being zealous, like the word Patriot. The word is found only here and in Mark 3:18, again describing the same person. In Luke 6:15 and Acts 1:13, the same person is described with the word zélótés, to be zealous.

 

The reason for all the variances is that there is a dispute about where the word is derived from. One supposed root is the Hebrew word qanna, which means jealous. It is a word used six times in Exodus and Deuteronomy when referring to the Lord, speaking of His jealous nature. Some apply this root to indicate a zealous nature for the Lord.

 

That would make sense based on Luke’s use of zélótés as a comparable meaning word. However, it is questionable if a title given only to the Lord would later be applied to people. If it were, it would be as an honorific, saying something like, “He has the Lord’s jealousy guiding his life.”

 

However, as noted, others translate the word as Canaanite. This seems to be less preferable because he would have been a Jew, but it could be that he associated himself with the land of Canaan as being the home territory of the Jews and wanted to restore it to Jewish control. However, another word group is used in Greek to indicate Canaan. Thus, this translation is rather unlikely.

 

Another option is the occasional translation of this word as a Cananaean. That would mean he was from Cana of Galilee. This is not improbable. As it is a transliteration, this rendering doesn’t do any harm. It simply gives an Anglicized rendering of the Greek.

 

Leaving the Greek directly transliterated into English avoids a mistranslation, and so that is what has been done here. Next, it says, “and Judas Iscariot.”

 

The name Judas is derived from the Hebrew Yehudah, meaning Judah. Judah was the fourth son of Jacob, born to Leah as recorded in Genesis 29:35.  His name means Praise. The name in Greek includes Jude, the author of the book of Jude. It is also translated as Judah in Matthew 1 and Luke 3. Each time, it is in Jesus’ genealogy.

 

The title Iscariot is from the Greek Iskariótés. It is believed to be a transliteration from the Hebrew words ish, man, and qirya, city or town. Thus, he would be a man of the city or a man of Kerioth, a city in Israel noted four times in the Old Testament. If he were from Kerioth, he would be the only non-Galilean apostle because Kerioth was a city found in the territory of Judah. Of him, it next says, “the ‘also having betrayed Him.’”

 

He is introduced into Scripture with the sad epitaph attached to him. Later, using the word apóleia, meaning destruction, ruin, loss, etc., other than the antichrist, he is the only person called a son of perdition in Scripture –

 

“While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.” John 17:12

 

“Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4

 

It is as if these two notorious men were born to be destroyed. Such is the nature of misusing one’s freewill to work against the Lord.

 

Life application: The names of the apostles are recorded, some with descriptors to give further hints about their nature. From there, some of them will have various things said about them. Peter is recorded as having denied Jesus and been weak in his stand for proper doctrine, as recorded in Galatians 2.

 

Thomas is forever known as a doubter. He is used as an example of this quality today, such as, “Come on, man! Stop being a Doubting Thomas.” David is known as a man after God’s heart. Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet. Nabal the Carmelite is known as a fool.

 

We will all be remembered before others and before the Lord for how we conducted our lives. What is it that you want to be remembered for? “He was a faithful Christian.” “He was a loving father.” “He was one greedy dude.” Like the designation of these apostles, we are generally summed up with a very short thought when remembered by others. What few words do you expect people will remember you by?

 

Lord God, we are living our lives out before others and in Your presence. How will we be remembered when we are gone? Help us to consider this and to do our best to live our lives in a manner that will honor You and reflect the positive qualities of faithful followers of Jesus Christ. Amen.