28 October. 1662 Book of Common Prayer: Apostles Simon & Jude

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.