28
October. 1662 Book of Common Prayer: Apostles Simon & Jude
St.
Simon and St. Jude, Apostles.
These two Apostles are found in juxtaposition in all the Apostolic catalogues
immediately after "James the son of Alphæus." In the list of
"the brethren of the Lord" we have "James, and Judas, and
Simon" (Matt.
xiii. 55); and it has been natural to identify the two lists, and
hold that the three Apostles were brethren to one another, and "brethren
of the Lord." On the whole, however, the evidence is against this
identification. (a) St. Simon is called "the Cananite" (not
"canaanite," as in the Authorised Version) in Matthew
x. 4, Mark iii. 18; and "Zelotes" in Luke
vi. 15. The one is a Syriac surname, the other its Greek
equivalent, signifying that the Apostle had been one of the
"Zealots," the extreme section of the Pharisaic and patriotic party.
(b) St. Jude is called in St. Luke "the brother (or son) of James,"
by St. Matthew and St. Mark "Lebbæus" or "Thaddæus"--names
of uncertain derivation, generally, however, derived from Hebrew words
signifying "the heart" and the (female) "breast," and
supposed to be names of endearment. Of neither Apostle have we any special
notice in Scripture (except in John
xiv. 22) or in trustworthy tradition. Accordingly the Collect
and Gospel refer to the general Apostolic mission and dignity. --
October 28th.
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