{
  "id": "dict_005290",
  "term": "Simon",
  "slug": "simon",
  "letter": "S",
  "entry_type": "biblical_name_disambiguation",
  "entry_family": "theological_term",
  "depth_profile": "standard",
  "short_definition": "Simon is a common New Testament personal name borne by several different people, including Simon Peter, Simon the Zealot, Simon of Cyrene, Simon the Pharisee, Simon the tanner, and Simon Magus.",
  "simple_one_line": "A common New Testament name used for several different people.",
  "tooltip_text": "A biblical personal name shared by multiple New Testament figures, especially Simon Peter.",
  "aliases": [],
  "scripture_references": [],
  "original_language_terms": [],
  "related_entries": [
    "Simon Peter",
    "Peter",
    "Simon the Zealot",
    "Simon of Cyrene",
    "Simon the Pharisee",
    "Simon the tanner",
    "Simon Magus"
  ],
  "see_also": [
    "Apostles",
    "Peter",
    "Disambiguation",
    "Proper Names"
  ],
  "lede_intro": "Simon is a frequent New Testament name and must be identified by context, since it refers to several different people rather than one person or one theological concept.",
  "at_a_glance_definition": "A common biblical personal name used for several New Testament individuals.",
  "at_a_glance_key_points": [
    "Most famously refers to Simon Peter, one of Jesus’ apostles.",
    "Also refers to Simon the Zealot, Simon of Cyrene, Simon the Pharisee, Simon the tanner, and Simon Magus.",
    "The surrounding context determines which Simon is meant.",
    "This is a name/disambiguation entry, not a doctrine term."
  ],
  "description_academic_short": "Simon is a common New Testament personal name used for multiple individuals. Because the same name refers to several distinct figures, it functions as a disambiguation entry rather than a doctrinal term.",
  "description_academic_full": "Simon is a common personal name in the New Testament and is applied to several distinct individuals. The best known is Simon Peter, one of Jesus’ apostles, but the name also appears for Simon the Zealot, Simon of Cyrene, Simon the Pharisee, Simon the tanner, and Simon Magus. Because the same name is shared by multiple figures, interpretation depends on the immediate literary context. This entry is therefore best treated as a biblical name/disambiguation headword rather than a theological concept.",
  "background_biblical_context": "In the New Testament, Simon most often identifies real people in specific narrative settings. The name occurs in the Gospels, Acts, and related passages, sometimes with a qualifying descriptor such as 'Peter,' 'the Zealot,' 'of Cyrene,' or 'the tanner.'",
  "background_historical_context": "Simon was a common Jewish name in the Second Temple and early Christian periods, which helps explain why several unrelated people in the New Testament bear it. English readers often need context markers because the same name can appear in very different settings.",
  "background_jewish_ancient_context": "The name Simon reflects a widespread Jewish naming pattern in the first century. Multiple persons could share the same name, so Scripture often distinguishes them by family role, hometown, occupation, or a descriptive title.",
  "key_texts_primary": [
    "Matt. 4:18",
    "Matt. 16:16-18",
    "Matt. 27:32",
    "Luke 7:40",
    "Acts 8:9",
    "Acts 9:43",
    "Acts 15:14"
  ],
  "key_texts_secondary": [
    "Mark 1:16",
    "Luke 6:15",
    "John 1:42",
    "John 21:2",
    "Acts 10:6"
  ],
  "original_language_note": "Greek Simōn (Σίμων), a common personal name. In context it may refer to different individuals, so translators and readers must rely on surrounding identifiers.",
  "theological_significance": "Simon is not a doctrine, but several important New Testament figures share the name. The most significant is Simon Peter, whose confession of Christ and apostolic role make the name prominent in Christian theology and gospel history.",
  "philosophical_explanation": "This entry illustrates a basic interpretive principle: proper names require context. A shared name does not imply a shared identity, and meaning is determined by the author’s immediate reference.",
  "interpretive_cautions": "Do not assume every occurrence of Simon refers to Simon Peter. Read the surrounding narrative, titles, and relationships carefully. This is a naming issue, not a theological category in itself.",
  "major_views_note": "There is no major doctrinal dispute about the name itself. The main issue is disambiguation across different New Testament individuals.",
  "doctrinal_boundaries": "This entry should not be used to build doctrine apart from the specific biblical person intended by the context. It is a resolver for identity, not a theological synthesis.",
  "practical_significance": "Careful identification of the correct Simon helps readers interpret passages accurately and avoid conflating distinct people or teachings.",
  "meta_description": "Simon is a New Testament name shared by several different people, including Simon Peter, Simon of Cyrene, and Simon Magus.",
  "public_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/simon/",
  "json_url": "/companion-bible-dictionary/data/dictionary/simon.json",
  "final_disposition": "PUBLISH_CANONICAL"
}