UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: zealot, nationalist

Semantic entry: 11.88

Semantic domains: Groups and Classes of Persons and Members of Such Groups and Classes

Subdomains: Socio-Political

Definition: (the Aramaic equivalent of ζηλωτής [source selector 000001][b] and not in any way related to the geographical terms Cana or Canaan) a member of a Jewish nationalistic group seeking independence from Rome

Notes: It is possible that ζηλωτής in RV LUK 6:15 · LV LUK 6:15 · Read together LUK 6:15 and Καναναῖος in RV MAT 10:4 · LV MAT 10:4 · Read together MAT 10:4 function not so much as a designation of an individual belonging to the particular Jewish nationalistic party (according to some scholars such a party may not have been organized at that time), but of one whjo is simply zealous for national independence (see ζηλωτής[a] ‘enthusiast, zealous person,’ 25.77: ζηλωτής). Therefore, one might speak of Simon as ‘Simon the patriot’ (the same applies to RV ACT 1:13 · LV ACT 1:13 · Read together ACT 1:13, the only other occurrence of ζηλωτής[b] in the NT). To render ζηλωτής[b] as ‘armed insurrectionist’ or ‘guerilla fighter’ (as some translators have suggested) would be reading into the text more than is specifically warranted.