A man in Bethany who hosted Jesus for a meal.
Simon
Named in 5 verses across 3 books, first in Matthew 26:6.
ΣίμωνSimon
The name means “that hears; that obeys.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
About Simon Written by AI
Simon the leper is mentioned in Matthew 26:6 and Mark 14:3 as a man living in Bethany who hosted a meal for Jesus. The Gospel of Luke also mentions a similar event, but the host is called Simon the Pharisee (Luke 7:40). During the meal at Simon's house, a woman (identified as Mary of Bethany in John 12:1 to 8) brought an alabaster jar of expensive perfume and anointed Jesus' head and feet. The disciples, particularly Judas Iscariot, criticized this act as wasteful, but Jesus defended the woman, saying that she had done a beautiful thing in preparing his body for burial. The title "the leper" suggests that Simon had been afflicted with leprosy at some point, but it is not clear whether he was still suffering from the disease at the time of this event. Leprosy was a highly stigmatized condition in ancient times, and people with leprosy were often isolated from society. Simon's hosting of Jesus and the other guests in his home may indicate that he had been healed of his leprosy, possibly by Jesus himself.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
This entry is on the name Simon, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.
The abbreviated form of Simeon. (1.) One of the twelve apostles, called the Canaanite (Matt. 10:4; Mark 3:18). This word “Canaanite” does not mean a native of Canaan, but is derived from the Syriac word Kanean or Kaneniah, which was the name of a Jewish sect. The Revised Version has “Cananaean;” marg., “or Zealot” He is also called “Zelotes” (Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13; R.V., “the Zealot”), because previous to his call to the apostleship he had been a member of the fanatical sect of the Zealots. There is no record regarding him.
(2.) The father of Judas Iscariot (John 6:71; 13:2, 26).
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(3.) One of the brothers of our Lord (Matt. 13:55; Mark 6:3).
(4.) A Pharisee in whose house “a woman of the city which was a sinner” anointed our Lord’s feet with ointment (Luke 7:36-38).
(5.) A leper of Bethany, in whose house Mary anointed our Lord’s head with ointment “as he sat at meat” (Matt. 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9).
(6.) A Jew of Cyrene, in North Africa, then a province of Libya. A hundred thousand Jews from Palestine had been settled in this province by Ptolemy Soter (B.C. 323-285), where by this time they had greatly increased in number. They had a synagogue in Jerusalem for such of their number as went thither to the annual feasts. Simon was seized by the soldiers as the procession wended its way to the place of crucifixion as he was passing by, and the heavy cross which Christ from failing strength could no longer bear was laid on his shoulders. Perhaps they seized him because he showed sympathy with Jesus. He was the “father of Alexander and Rufus” (Matt. 27:32). Possibly this Simon may have been one of the “men of Cyrene” who preached the word to the Greeks (Acts 11:20).
(7.) A sorcerer of great repute for his magical arts among the Samaritans (Acts 8:9-11). He afterwards became a professed convert to the faith under the preaching of Philip the deacon and evangelist (12, 13). His profession was, however, soon found to be hollow. His conduct called forth from Peter a stern rebuke (8:18-23). From this moment he disappears from the Church’s history. The term “Simony,” as denoting the purchase for money of spiritual offices, is derived from him.
(8.) A Christian at Joppa, a tanner by trade, with whom Peter on one occasion lodged (Acts 9:43).
(9.) Simon Peter (Matt. 4:18). See PETER.
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
Where the Bible names him
- Matthew 26:6
While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper,
- Mark 14:3
While Jesus was in Bethany reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke open the jar and poured it on Jesus’ head.
- Luke 7:40
But Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, Teacher,” he said.
- Luke 7:43
“I suppose the one who was forgiven more,” Simon replied. “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.
- Luke 7:44
And turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give Me water for My feet, but she wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.