In the third group of fours in the list of the Twelve (apostles), we find Simon called a Zealot. The Greek zelotes (“zealot”) refers to one who shows zeal and enthusiasm. Simon is called by this name not just because he is a “zealous” observer of the Law of Moses but, as most biblical scholars believe, because he is a member of the sect called the Zealots, who sought the recovery of Jewish independence from Roman power even with the use of force. Becoming an apostle, his zeal is now directed to the spread of the Kingdom of heaven. On the other hand, “Jude” is often the rendition of “Judas” to distinguish him from Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus. The Church honors him as the patron of hopeless cases, and things most desired of. Many countries venerate the Apostle Jude and have constructed either shrines or churches dedicated to his memory. The National Shrine of Saint Jude Thaddeus in the Philippines was erected by the Archdiocese of Manila in 1954.

Jesus went up the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called a Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.