Σίμων ὁ Κανανίτης καὶ Ἰούδας ὁ Ἰσκαριώτης ὁ καὶ παραδοὺς αὐτόν. (Matthew 10:4)
Simon the Cananite and Judas the Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
The Syntax of the List
This verse belongs to Matthew’s catalog of the twelve apostles. It closes the list with a stark juxtaposition:
– Σίμων ὁ Κανανίτης – “Simon the Cananite (Zealot)”
– Ἰούδας ὁ Ἰσκαριώτης – “Judas Iscariot”
The verse ends not with simple naming but with a chilling apposition: ὁ καὶ παραδοὺς αὐτόν — “the one who also betrayed him.”
Titles in Apposition: ὁ Κανανίτης, ὁ Ἰσκαριώτης
– ὁ Κανανίτης: Appositional article + adjective. Likely from Aramaic *qanʾān*, “zealous one.” Not geographical but descriptive: Simon is marked by zeal.
– ὁ Ἰσκαριώτης: Gentilic adjective, “man of Kerioth” (a town in Judea). The article makes it a title: “the one from Kerioth.”
In both cases, the article ὁ ties the name to a distinguishing feature, clarifying identity in a list of common names.
The Participle of Infamy: ὁ καὶ παραδοὺς αὐτόν
– παραδούς: aorist active participle, nominative masculine singular of παραδίδωμι, “to hand over, betray.”
– The article ὁ turns the participle into a substantive: “the one who betrayed.”
– The particle καί intensifies: “even, also the one who betrayed him.”
The grammar fuses identity with deed. Judas is remembered not merely as a man from Kerioth but as “the betrayer.” The participle forever binds his name to his action.
Table: Appositional Grammar
| Greek Expression | Form | Function | Interpretive Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ὁ Κανανίτης | Article + adjective | Appositional title | Identifies Simon as the “zealous one” |
| ὁ Ἰσκαριώτης | Article + gentilic adjective | Appositional title | Identifies Judas by origin (Kerioth) |
| ὁ καὶ παραδοὺς αὐτόν | Article + participle + pronoun | Substantival participial phrase | Defines Judas by the act of betrayal |
Theology in Grammar
The verse reveals how grammar fixes memory. The articles (ὁ) attach identity to descriptor, and the participle (παραδούς) forever chains Judas to his infamous act. Language does not merely list names; it cements legacy.
Simon is remembered for zeal, Judas for betrayal. The grammar teaches: what we do becomes how we are known.
The apostles’ list ends in warning — a reminder that discipleship can be marked either by zeal that serves or by betrayal that condemns.
