Sent Out Like Sheep
Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus. Matthew 10:4 · Berean Standard Bible
Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, the one who would later betray Jesus.
A political revolutionary and a future traitor in the same group. Jesus chose them both, knowing everything.
Matthew, finishing the list with a note of tragedy.
Even knowing Judas would betray Him, Jesus included him. That tells you something about how Jesus loves.
The list concludes with Simon the Zealot (Kananaios, from Aramaic for 'zealous') and Judas Iscariot, whose betrayal is noted proleptically.
A Zealot and a tax collector in the same group would have been ideological enemies; Jesus' community transcends political divisions.
Matthew, completing the apostle list.
The inclusion of both a political radical (Simon) and a Roman collaborator (Matthew) shows the reconciling power of Jesus' kingdom.
2These are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John;
3Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;
4Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.
5These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go onto the road of the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.
6Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.
Read all of Matthew 10 — Jesus hands his authority to twelve ordinary men and sends them into a hostile world. The mission briefing is searingly honest.
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