What do Simon and Rosh have in common? How are they different?

Simon and Rosh are both extremely driven by their personal beliefs. Simon is one of Jesus's twelve disciples, often titled "Simon the Zealot." It's important to note this because there were two disciples named Simon—Simon Peter, who walked on water with Jesus, and Simon, known as the Zealot. This story includes the character of Simon the Zealot.

Zealots refer to early (first-century) Jewish people who were seeking to overthrow the Roman government. They were rebel leaders who believed that the Roman government was encouraging people to stray away from God. They were so passionate about their beliefs that they were willing to do just about anything, including acts of violence, to overthrow the new political leaders.

Simon the Zealot, however, was passionate but not violent in his pursuit of political and religious change. He was striving for freedom from Rome, but his goal was to act in love, like Jesus taught, rather than through violent acts. Because he met Jesus, he no longer believed that violence was the answer. He realized that his faith, as an Israelite, was changing because of Jesus's teachings. His beliefs were radically changed because of his relationship with Jesus. Daniel, however, still wants to use violence to aim for revolution. He wants to seek revenge for the horrible acts that the Romans committed that affected his family and friends. After meeting Jesus, Simon works for love and peace. His zealousness, or passion, is turned toward spreading God's love and grace.

Rosh, too, is a leader, but he leads a group of rebels. For a while, when Daniel ran away from his master, Rosh cared for his needs. Daniel views Rosh as a good man at the start of the story, just as he views Simon the Zealot as a good man. As time goes on, though, Daniel realizes that Rosh's violent pursuit of freedom is not what he agrees with. He sees how selfish Rosh's pursuit is, especially when Rosh refuses to help free Joel from the Romans. His selfishness contrasts greatly with Simon the Zealot's love (that he adopted from Jesus's teachings).

While both leaders greatly impact the story, sometimes seek to help others, and are pursuing freedom from Roman rule, Rosh always pursues this freedom through violent rebellion. Simon the Zealot may have once thought that violence was the answer but realizes that love is the true answer when he meets and follows Jesus. Daniel, the protagonist of the story, agrees with Simon Zealot that love is the path to true freedom by the end of the novel.