Zealots

The Zealots were a religious and political faction that became famous for their resistance against Roman rule in Judea.   They were around from 6 AD to 73 AD and were founded “in the name of Yahweh.”   Zealots believed in a strict observance of Mosaic Law and that a fight against Roman rule was necessary.   They felt that rebellion was their religious duty and that being under Roman rule meant being slaves of Rome.   Mainly the Zealots worked in secrecy against the Romans because they could not possibly overcome them Romans by means of a war.   The Zealots were also called Iscarioth because of the daggers they carried along with them.


        Zealots believed the best way of serving God was by killing His enemies.   However, after a while it seemed like their enemies were God’s enemies as well.   Simon and Judas Iscariot were probably Zealots.   The Romans may have destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem partly because they were angry with the Zealots.   The Zealots looked back to the glorious days of the Maccabees when religious zeal was combined with good weapons.   In those days, they wanted to overthrow their pagan Greek overlords.


        Eventually, the Zealots met their end.   After causing much trouble for the Romans, the Romans scattered them up.   The Romans crucified hundreds of Zealots.   The scattered Zealots turned into gangs not much different than other gangs at that time.   “Zealot” comes from the Latin word “Zealotes” and the Greek word “Zealotes.”