How Many Simons Are in the Bible? 9 New Testament Men Explained

If you have ever wondered how many Simons are in the Bible, the clearest answer is this: nine different men named Simon are commonly identified in the New Testament.

They are not all disciples, and they are certainly not the same person. Two were among Jesus’ twelve apostles. One carried Jesus’ cross. One welcomed Peter into his home. Another practiced sorcery in Samaria. One was a Pharisee, and another is simply identified as the father of Judas Iscariot.

Standard Bible reference works distinguish these nine New Testament men: Simon Peter, Simon the Zealot, Simon named among Jesus’ brothers, Simon the leper, Simon the Pharisee, Simon of Cyrene, Simon the father of Judas Iscariot, Simon the sorcerer, and Simon the tanner.

There is one important detail before we count them. Christian Bibles do not all contain exactly the same Old Testament books. Catholic and Orthodox biblical collections include books such as 1 Maccabees and Sirach, where additional people named Simon appear. So nine is best understood as the standard count of distinct Simons in the New Testament, rather than the total for every Christian biblical canon.

Here is who these nine men were and why keeping them separate makes several Bible stories much easier to understand.

How Many Different Simons Are in the Bible?

Here is the quick answer.

Bible reference works such as Encyclopedia of the Bible list these as nine distinct New Testament entries.

That does not mean the word Simon occurs only nine times. Simon Peter alone appears repeatedly throughout the Gospels and Acts. We are counting people, not occurrences of the name.

Who Were the Simons in the Bible?

The easiest way to understand the answer is to meet each Simon individually.

1. Simon Peter

The best-known Simon in Scripture is Simon Peter, one of Jesus’ twelve apostles.

Before readers become familiar with him as Peter, the Gospels introduce him as Simon. He was the brother of Andrew and worked as a fisherman.

John 1:40–42 records Andrew bringing Simon to Jesus. Jesus then tells Simon that he will be called Cephas, a name translated as Peter.

This explains a common source of confusion when people ask, are Simon and Peter the same person in the Bible?

In this case, yes.

Simon Peter, Peter, and Cephas refer to the same apostle.

But that does not mean every Simon in Scripture is Peter.

Peter became one of the most visible disciples in the Gospel accounts. He confessed Jesus as the Messiah, sometimes spoke before the other disciples, denied Jesus during the night of His arrest, and later became an important figure in the early church recorded in Acts.

So when someone asks is Simon Peter in the Bible, the answer is certainly yes. He is one of the New Testament’s most frequently mentioned disciples.

2. Simon the Zealot

A second Simon was also among Jesus’ twelve apostles.

He is usually called Simon the Zealot so readers do not confuse him with Simon Peter.

Luke 6:15 lists him among the Twelve as Simon who was called the Zealot. Matthew 10:4 and Mark 3:18 use the form traditionally rendered “the Cananaean” or similar wording. This does not mean that Simon was a Canaanite or that the title proves he came from Cana. The expression is connected with the idea of being zealous.

The Bible tells us far less about Simon the Zealot than it tells us about Peter.

We do not have long conversations involving him. Scripture does not record a separate miracle performed by him during Jesus’ earthly ministry. It also gives us little personal information about his family.

Yet he was one of the Twelve.

That fact alone gives him an important place in the Gospel story.

Are There Two Simons in the 12 Disciples?

Yes. Two of Jesus’ twelve apostles were named Simon.

They were:

1. Simon Peter
2. Simon the Zealot

Matthew’s list of the Twelve identifies Simon Peter near the beginning and another Simon later in the list. Luke likewise distinguishes Peter from Simon the Zealot.

This is especially useful to remember when reading quickly.

If you see Simon speaking with Jesus, do not automatically assume the passage refers to Simon Peter. Look at the context.

Simon Peter and Simon the Zealot were two separate disciples.

This also helps answer another related question, how many Peters are in the Bible? Peter is the additional name associated with Simon Peter. Simon the Zealot was never called Peter in Scripture.

3. Simon Named Among Jesus’ Brothers

Matthew 13:55 gives another Simon.

People in Jesus’ hometown were discussing His family and named James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas among His brothers. Mark 6:3 gives a similar list.

This Simon should not be confused with either Simon Peter or Simon the Zealot.

Different Christian traditions understand the precise family relationship represented by the biblical word translated “brothers” in different ways. Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and many Protestant readers do not all interpret that relationship identically.

For the purpose of identifying this Simon, we do not need to settle that wider theological discussion.

The simple biblical fact is that a man named Simon is listed among Jesus’ brothers or close family relations in Matthew and Mark.

Scripture gives us very little additional information about him by name.

This is a good example of why counting Bible characters can become difficult. A name may appear only briefly, yet that person is still different from another well-known biblical figure with the same name.

4. Simon the Leper

Another Simon lived in or was associated with Bethany.

Matthew 26:6 and Mark 14:3 describe Jesus being at the home of Simon the leper. During the meal, a woman came with expensive perfume and anointed Jesus.

His title naturally raises questions.

Was Simon suffering from leprosy while Jesus was eating in his home?

Had he previously suffered from the disease?

Had he been healed?

The text itself does not explain.

Because biblical purity laws made active leprosy a serious social and ceremonial issue, many readers have suggested that Simon may have been a former leper. But Scripture does not directly tell us how or when he received the title.

It is better to leave the matter where the Bible leaves it.

What we can say confidently is that Jesus was in the house of Simon the leper in Bethany shortly before the crucifixion.

5. Simon the Pharisee

Another meal involving Jesus took place in the home of a man named Simon.

This time the man was a Pharisee.

Luke 7 tells us that a Pharisee invited Jesus to eat with him. During the meal, a woman known in the city as a sinner approached Jesus, wept at His feet, and anointed them. Jesus then used the moment to teach Simon about forgiveness, love, and the heart.

Because both Simon the Pharisee and Simon the leper appear in stories involving a meal and an anointing, readers sometimes wonder whether they were actually the same person.

Standard Bible dictionaries normally list them separately. The Gospel settings and details differ, so it is safest when counting the Simons to treat Simon the Pharisee and Simon the leper as two distinct New Testament figures.

Their stories also emphasize different lessons.

In Luke 7, Jesus draws attention to forgiveness and love. The woman recognized her need and responded to Jesus with deep devotion, while Simon’s response allowed Jesus to expose a very different attitude of heart.

6. Simon of Cyrene

One of the most memorable Simons appears during the crucifixion story.

As Jesus was being led to His death, Roman soldiers compelled a man named Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross.

Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21, and Luke 23:26 all identify him. Mark adds that Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus.

Simon of Cyrene was not Simon Peter.

This matters because people sometimes remember that “Simon carried the cross” and assume the text means Peter.

It does not.

Simon of Cyrene carried Jesus’ cross.

Cyrene was in North Africa, in the region of modern Libya. The Gospel writers identify him by his place of origin, which made it easier for early readers to distinguish him from the many other men named Simon.

We should also resist adding details the Gospels do not provide.

The Bible does not tell us what Simon thought when he was forced into this task. It does not record a speech from him. It does not tell us that he volunteered.

What Scripture gives us is powerful enough: for part of Jesus’ journey toward crucifixion, this man from Cyrene was compelled to carry the cross.

7. Simon, the Father of Judas Iscariot

Another Simon appears mainly because of his relationship to one of the most tragic figures in the New Testament.

John identifies Judas Iscariot as the son of Simon.

References appear in John 6:71 and again in the events surrounding Judas’ betrayal in John 13. Bible dictionaries therefore count Simon, the father of Judas, as another distinct man.

We know almost nothing else about him.

Scripture does not tell us that Simon shared Judas’ actions. It does not describe Simon’s character, beliefs, occupation, or response to what his son did.

That silence matters.

It would be unfair to invent a story about Simon simply because his son became the disciple who betrayed Jesus.

If you are studying who Judas was in the Bible, remembering his father’s name can help you recognize passages in John, but Scripture keeps the focus on Judas’ own choices.

8. Simon the Sorcerer

Acts introduces yet another Simon during the spread of the gospel into Samaria.

Acts 8 describes a man named Simon who had practiced sorcery and amazed the people. After Philip proclaimed the good news, Simon believed and was baptized. Later, when he saw the apostles laying hands on believers, he offered money because he wanted the same authority. Peter strongly rebuked him.

He is often called Simon the Sorcerer or Simon Magus.

The title helps distinguish him from Simon Peter, who actually appears in the same chapter.

This creates an unusual scene: one Simon is being corrected by another Simon.

Simon Peter is the apostle.

Simon the sorcerer is the man Peter rebukes.

The story warns against treating God’s gifts as something that can be bought, controlled, or used for personal power.

Later Christian writings say much more about Simon Magus, but Acts itself should remain our main guide when explaining the biblical character. Scripture does not provide a full account of what happened to him afterward.

9. Simon the Tanner

The final Simon in the standard New Testament list is Simon the tanner.

Acts 9:43 says Peter stayed in Joppa with a tanner named Simon. Acts 10 again identifies the house as Simon the tanner’s home by the sea.

This gives us another situation where two Simons are connected directly:

Simon Peter was staying with Simon the tanner.

Imagine reading Acts without knowing that distinction. A sentence using only “Simon” could become confusing very quickly.

Simon the tanner may seem like a small Bible character, but his home becomes the setting for an important moment.

While Peter was staying there, the events leading to his meeting with Cornelius began to unfold. Acts 10 marks an important stage in the gospel reaching Gentiles, and Simon’s home sits quietly in the background of that story.

The Bible does not tell us much about the tanner himself. Still, his hospitality gave Peter a place to stay during a significant period in the early church.

How Many Simons Are in the Bible If We Include Every Christian Canon?

This is where the answer needs care.

If someone asks, how many Simons are in the Bible, saying simply “nine” can sound more absolute than the evidence allows.

Nine is a good answer when discussing the distinct men named Simon in the New Testament.

But Catholic and Orthodox traditions contain biblical books not included in the Protestant Old Testament. Those books include additional people named Simon.

For example, 1 Maccabees refers to Simon, the brother of Judas Maccabeus. Sirach 50 celebrates Simon son of Onias, the high priest.

So the most accurate short answer is:

There are nine men commonly identified as Simon in the New Testament, although additional Simons appear in biblical books included in some Christian canons.

That wording respects different Christian traditions while still answering what most searchers mean when they ask about the Simons connected with Jesus and the early church.

Are Simon and Peter the Same Person in the Bible?

Sometimes yes, but not always.

Simon Peter is the same person as Peter.

John explains this clearly when Andrew brings his brother Simon to Jesus. Jesus tells Simon that he will be called Cephas, which John explains as Peter.

So these names point to one man:

• Simon
• Simon Peter
• Peter
• Cephas

But the other Simons are not alternative names for Peter.

Simon of Cyrene is not Peter.

Simon the tanner is not Peter.

Simon the Zealot is not Peter.

Simon the Pharisee is not Peter.

Simon the sorcerer is not Peter.

That simple distinction solves much of the confusion.

If you have wondered what Peter’s name means in the Bible, the name Peter is connected with the idea of a stone or rock, while Cephas is the corresponding Aramaic form. John itself directly connects Cephas and Peter when describing Jesus’ naming of Simon.

Why Does the Bible Have So Many People Named Simon?

The New Testament was written in a world where several people could share the same personal name. Instead of modern family surnames working exactly as they do today, people were often distinguished by another identifying detail.

The New Testament shows this very clearly with Simon.

One is Simon Peter.

One is Simon the Zealot.

One is Simon of Cyrene.

One is Simon the tanner.

One is identified as the father of Judas.

One is described as a Pharisee.

One is remembered as Simon the leper.

These descriptions help readers know which Simon is involved.

The Greek name Simōn is related to the Hebrew name Simeon. Bible reference works note that Simon represents a Greek form connected with that Hebrew name.

That also explains why you may encounter both Simon and Simeon while reading Scripture.

They are related names, but you should not automatically count every person called Simeon as one of the nine New Testament Simons listed above.

For example, Luke 2 tells of Simeon, the righteous man who saw the infant Jesus at the temple. He is normally identified as Simeon, not added to the standard list of nine men called Simon.

Simon and Simeon: Should They Be Counted Together?

This depends on what exactly you are trying to count.

If your question is:

How many men are specifically identified as Simon in the New Testament?

The standard answer is nine.

If your question becomes:

How many biblical people have names derived from Simon or Simeon?

The count becomes more complicated.

The Old Testament contains Simeon, one of Jacob’s sons and the ancestor associated with the tribe of Simeon. The New Testament also contains people specifically called Simeon.

For a simple Bible study, it is better not to mix the two questions.

Treat Simon and Simeon according to how the particular passage identifies each person, and then study possible linguistic connections separately.

Is There Another Simon in the Bible Besides the Apostles?

Yes. In fact, most of the New Testament Simons were not members of the Twelve.

Only two were apostles:

• Simon Peter
• Simon the Zealot

The others came from very different settings.

Simon of Cyrene appears on the road to the crucifixion.

Simon the Pharisee hosts Jesus for a meal.

Simon the leper is connected with the Bethany anointing.

Simon the sorcerer appears during Philip’s ministry in Samaria.

Simon the tanner hosts Peter in Joppa.

Simon is named among Jesus’ brothers.

Another Simon was the father of Judas Iscariot.

So if you have ever noticed the name Simon appearing in a passage where Peter clearly cannot be the person involved, you were probably reading about one of these other men.

How to Tell Which Simon You Are Reading About

There is a simple Bible-study habit that helps.

Look at the words beside the name.

Look for a title

“Simon the Zealot” identifies the apostle who was not Peter.

“Simon the tanner” tells you the man’s occupation.

“Simon the leper” gives you another identifying title.

Look for a place

“Simon of Cyrene” identifies the man compelled to carry Jesus’ cross.

Look for a family relationship

“Simon, the father of Judas Iscariot” tells you exactly why this Simon is mentioned.

Look at who is speaking

In Acts 8, Simon Peter confronts another man named Simon. If you follow the conversation carefully, the difference becomes clear.

Read a few verses before and after

Names that seem confusing in isolation often become obvious when you read the surrounding paragraph.

This same method helps with other repeated Bible names. Readers asking how many Johns are in the Bible, how many Philips are in the Bible, or how many Peters are in the Bible will find that family names, occupations, places, and titles often provide the clues.

Which Simon Carried Jesus’ Cross?

It was Simon of Cyrene.

The three Synoptic Gospels identify him during the journey to the crucifixion. The soldiers compelled him to carry the cross behind Jesus.

It was not Simon Peter.

That distinction is worth remembering because Peter is by far the most famous Simon in the New Testament.

When Scripture wants us to know that another Simon is involved, it usually gives us some identifying detail.

Here, the phrase “of Cyrene” settles the matter.

Which Simon Was One of Jesus’ Brothers?

Matthew 13:55 and Mark 6:3 list a Simon among Jesus’ brothers.

He should not be confused with Simon Peter or Simon the Zealot.

Because Christian traditions differ in how they understand the exact family relationship in these passages, it is best to keep the wording close to Scripture: Simon is named among Jesus’ brothers.

The Bible does not give us enough information to write a detailed biography of this Simon.

His brief appearance is another reminder that Scripture sometimes names people without telling us everything we might like to know about their later lives.

Which Simon Hosted Jesus?

This question has more than one answer.

Simon the leper hosted or owned the Bethany home where Jesus was present during an anointing described in Matthew 26 and Mark 14.

Simon the Pharisee also invited Jesus to eat with him in Luke 7.

These similar settings are one reason readers sometimes mix the men together.

But when making a list of the different Simons, standard reference works distinguish them.

Meanwhile, Simon the tanner hosted Peter rather than Jesus. Peter stayed at his home in Joppa.

Three Simons, three different settings.

Why Identifying the Right Simon Matters

At first, counting people with the same name may sound like Bible trivia.

It is more useful than that.

Imagine reading that Simon carried Jesus’ cross and thinking the text meant Peter. That changes the scene.

Imagine reading Acts 10 and thinking Peter was somehow staying in his own house because both men are named Simon. You would miss the role of Simon the tanner.

Imagine confusing Simon the sorcerer with Simon the Zealot. One was chosen among the Twelve; the other appears later in Samaria and receives a severe rebuke from Peter.

Small details protect us from large misunderstandings.

Careful Bible reading often works this way. A location, occupation, family connection, or short title may look unimportant until you realize it tells you exactly who the writer means.

The Nine Simons at a Glance

For easy reference, here they are again:

1. Simon Peter — the apostle also called Peter and Cephas.
2. Simon the Zealot — another of the Twelve.
3. Simon named among Jesus’ brothers — mentioned in Matthew 13:55 and Mark 6:3.
4. Simon the leper — associated with the Bethany meal and anointing.
5. Simon the Pharisee — hosted Jesus in Luke 7.
6. Simon of Cyrene — compelled to carry Jesus’ cross.
7. Simon, father of Judas Iscariot — identified in John.
8. Simon the sorcerer — the Samaritan man rebuked by Peter in Acts 8.
9. Simon the tanner — Peter’s host in Joppa.

Two were apostles, but the other seven entered the biblical story in very different ways.

What the Different Simons Teach Us About Reading Scripture

So, how many Simons are in the Bible?

If we are talking about the New Testament, nine different men named Simon are commonly identified.

Two were members of Jesus’ twelve apostles: Simon Peter and Simon the Zealot.

Simon Peter was the same person who later became widely known as Peter and was also called Cephas. Simon of Cyrene carried Jesus’ cross. Simon the tanner hosted Peter. Simon the sorcerer was rebuked by Peter. Simon the Pharisee and Simon the leper appear in different meal settings involving Jesus. Another Simon is named among Jesus’ brothers, and another was the father of Judas Iscariot.

If Catholic or Orthodox biblical books are included, the wider Bible contains additional men named Simon, such as Simon associated with the Maccabean family and Simon son of Onias in Sirach. That is why “nine New Testament Simons” is more accurate than claiming there are only nine Simons in every Christian Bible.

The repeated names also teach a simple lesson about studying Scripture: details matter.

Read the place name. Notice the occupation. Watch the family connection. Look at the verses around the name.

A single word such as Peter, Zealot, Cyrene, Pharisee, or tanner can turn confusion into clarity.

And that careful attention helps us do more than remember Bible characters. It helps us hear the biblical story as its writers intended, one person and one passage at a time.

Dr. Rachel Adams

Dr. Rachel is very smart and knows a lot about the Bible. He helps us understand the Bible better by talking about the old texts in a simple way.