Simon of Peraea

Simon of Peraea, also known as Simon son of Joseph, was a former slave of Herod the Great who rebelled and was killed by the Romans some time after Herod's death. Some have identified him as possibly being the messiah of Gabriel's Revelation, but this is disputed. He is mentioned by Josephus and Tacitus. In 2009 the National Geographic Channel aired The First Jesus? which addressed the claims and controversy.

Knohl has eventually abandoned this reading, in favor of Ronald Hendel's reading (followed by Qimron & Yuditsky): "By three days the sign". He still maintains the historical background of the inscription to be as mentioned above. He now views Simon's death, according to the inscription, as "an essential part of the redemptive process. The blood of the slain messiah paves the way for the final salvation".

According to Livius.org, "Simon of Peraea may have 'put a diadem on his head', and his men must have created sufficient trouble to make the Romans send in the legions, but there are no indications that he was considered the Messiah."