Simon the Tanner (New Testament)
Simon the Tanner, who appears in the Acts of the Apostles book of the New Testament, had a house in Jaffa, where Saint Peter stayed during his missionary activities of the early Christian faith. He is believed to be an example of the early Christians' embracing people of all professions as well as all Jews and Gentiles.
Acts of the Apostles
Simon the Tanner is mentioned three times in Chapters 9 and 10 of Acts of the Apostles of the New Testament.
Firstly, Chapter 9 is about Paul's conversion and immediately after that, and is mostly about Peter's missionary activities. Peter visited Jaffa and raised Tabitha from death. And
- 9:43 Peter stayed some time in Joppa with a certain tanner named Simon. (Common English Bible)
Secondly, in Chapter 10:1 Cornelius, a centurion of the army of the Roman Empire, who was stationed in Caesarea was told by the angel, who said,
- 10:05 "Send messengers to Joppa at once and summon a certain Simon, the one known as Peter. 10:06 He is a guest of Simon the tanner, whose house is near the seacoast." (Ditto)
Thirdly, at the same time as Cornelius had a vision in Caesaria, Peter also had a vision that he must serve unclean as well as clean people. Peter then visited Caesaria to meet Cornelius, and saw the Holy Spirit descent upon him, and baptized him. When Peter asked the centurion why he had called for Peter, he answered:
- 10:31 "He said [The angel said in a vision], 'Cornelius, God has heard your prayers, and your compassionate acts are like a memorial offering to him. 10.32 Therefore, send someone to Joppa and summon Simon, who is known as Peter. He is a guest in the house of Simon the tanner, located in the seacoast.' "
Regardless of Any Professions
Jesus Christ took Matthew, a Tax collector by profession, as one of his twelve disciples. Tax collectors were disdained by the Jews in general, because they served the Roman Empire, not their God.
The Tanners' profession was equally disdained by the people in Israel because they dealt with dead animals and urine. Luke's account of Acts, mentioning Simon the Tanner, show that Peter, who was playing the central role of early Christian missionary activities, embraced people of all professions as well as Jews and Gentiles. [1] [2]
Tel Aviv-Yafo City
Jaffa where Peter stayed is now part of Israel's largest city, Tel Aviv-Yafo. In the old town of Jaffa, there is Simon Tanner's House where many Christian pilgrims and sightseers visit. [3]