Matthew 10:4

“Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, etc.] This is the last couple, for they are all mentioned by pairs, because they were sent forth “by two and two”, as the Evangelist Mark says, (<410607>Mark 6:7). The former of these is called Simon the Canaanite, to distinguish him from Simon Peter, before mentioned; not that he was a Canaanite, that is, an inhabitant of the land of Canaan, a man of Canaan, as a certain woman is called a woman of Canaan, (<401522>Matthew 15:22) for all the disciples of Christ were Jews; though in Munster’s Hebrew Gospel he is called yn[nkh ˆw[mç, “Simeon the Canaanite”, or of Canaan, as if he belonged to that country; nor is he so called from Cana of Galilee, as…”

“Simon the Canaanite--rather "Kananite," but better still, "the Zealot," as he is called in Luk 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 not broken with impunity. and Judas Iscariot--that is, Judas of Kerioth, a town of Judah (Jos 15:25); so called to distinguish him from "Judas the brother of James" (Luk 6:16). who also betrayed him--a…”

“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. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Iscariot - So called from Iscarioth, (the place of his birth,) a town of the tribe of Ephraim, near the city of Samaria. Matthew 10:5”

“10:4 the zealot: Zealots were militant Jews who thought violence and war were capable of accomplishing the will of God. As a Jewish nationalist, Simon was probably zealous for the law (Acts 22:3-5; Gal 1:14; Phil 3:6). Josephus blamed the Zealot party for the great war with Rome in AD 66–70. • Iscariot might refer to someone from Kerioth in southern Judea (Josh 15:25) or from Kerioth in Perea (Jer 48:24).”

“Simon: Mar 3:18; Luk 6:15, Simon Zelotes, Act 1:13 and: Mat 26:14, Mat 26:47, Mat 27:3; Mar 3:19, Mar 14:10, Mar 14:43; Luk 6:16, Luk 22:3, Luk 22:47; Joh 6:71; Joh 13:2, Joh 13:26-30, Joh 18:2-5; Act 1:16-20, Act 1:25 Matthew 10:5”