The term "Cyrenian" refers to an individual from Cyrene, an ancient city located in the region of Cyrenaica in present-day Libya, North Africa. Cyrene was a prominent Greek colony and later a Roman city, known for its intellectual and cultural contributions. In the context of the Bible, Cyrenians are mentioned in the New Testament, particularly in relation to the early Christian church and the events surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Simon of Cyrene

One of the most notable references to a Cyrenian in the Bible is Simon of Cyrene. Simon is mentioned in the Synoptic Gospels as the man compelled by Roman soldiers to carry the cross of Jesus on the way to Golgotha. The Gospel of Mark provides a specific account: "They forced a passerby named Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry the cross of Jesus" (Mark 15:21). This act of bearing the cross has been interpreted as a symbol of discipleship and sharing in the sufferings of Christ.

Cyrenians in the Early Church

Cyrenians also played a significant role in the spread of Christianity in the early church. The Book of Acts records that men from Cyrene were among those who preached the Gospel to the Greeks in Antioch: "But some of them, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks as well, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus" (Acts 11:20). This evangelistic effort contributed to the establishment of a vibrant Christian community in Antioch, which became a pivotal center for missionary activity.

Additionally, Acts 13:1 mentions a prophet and teacher named Lucius of Cyrene as part of the leadership in the church at Antioch: "Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch), and Saul" (Acts 13:1). This highlights the diverse and multicultural nature of the early Christian movement, with individuals from various backgrounds contributing to its growth and development.

Cultural and Historical Context

Cyrene was a city of considerable importance in the ancient world, known for its philosophical schools and as a center of trade and commerce. The presence of a Jewish community in Cyrene is evidenced by historical records, and it is likely that many Cyrenian Jews traveled to Jerusalem for religious festivals, as was the custom. This cultural exchange facilitated the spread of the Gospel message beyond the borders of Judea and into the wider Greco-Roman world.

The mention of Cyrenians in the New Testament underscores the global reach of the early Christian message and the diverse backgrounds of those who embraced the faith. The involvement of Cyrenians in key events and their contributions to the early church exemplify the fulfillment of Jesus' command to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19).1. (a.) Pertaining to Cyrene, in Africa; Cyrenaic.

2. (n.) A native or inhabitant of Cyrene.

3. (n.) One of a school of philosophers, established at Cyrene by Aristippus, a disciple of Socrates. Their doctrines were nearly the same as those of the Epicureans.

CYRENIAN; CYRENIANS

si-re'-ni-an (Kurenaios, "a native or inhabitant of Cyrene"): Two Jews of Cyrene are mentioned in the New Testament, namely, Simon (Mark 15:21 and Luke 23:26 the King James Version) who was impressed to bear the Lord's cross (Mark 15:21 the Revised Version, margin), and Lucius, a Christian teacher at Antioch (Acts 13:1). See CYRENE; LUCIUS; SIMON. For Cyrenians see CYRENE.

2956. Kurenaios -- of Cyrene
... of Cyrene, Cyrenian. From Kurene; ie Cyrenaean, ie Inhabitant of Cyrene -- of
Cyrene, Cyrenian. see GREEK Kurene. (kurenaioi) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2956.htm - 6k

Simon the Cyrenian
... SIMON THE CYRENIAN. 'And they compel one Simon, a Cyrenian, who passed
by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/simon the cyrenian.htm

Simon of Cyrene
... This Simon, the Cyrenian, was just a plain man, coming into town on his own business,
and meeting at the gate this turbulent group surging out toward the place ...
/.../peabody/mornings in the college chapel/lxvii simon of cyrene.htm

Of the Method in which we Can Reconcile the Statement which is ...
... And they compelled one Simon, a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country,
the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear His cross." [1374] Luke's ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter x of the method in.htm

The Death which Gives Life
... 'And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country,
the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear His cross.22. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the death which gives life.htm

Synoptical Table
... 21 And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country,
the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the gospel of peter/synoptical table.htm

Justification by Grace
... He was very particular about that. Simon, the Cyrenian, might bear the
cross; but Simon, the Cyrenian, might not be nailed to it. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/justification by grace.htm

Crucified, Dead, and Buried. '
... They, to whom He was delivered,' led Him away to be crucified:' and they who so
led Him forth compelled' the Cyrenian Simon to bear the Cross. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xv crucified dead and.htm

Expositions of Holy Scripture
... CHRIST AND PILATE: THE TRUE KING AND HIS COUNTERFEIT. THE DEATH WHICH GIVES LIFE.
SIMON THE CYRENIAN. THE INCREDULOUS DISCIPLES. PERPETUAL YOUTH. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/

A Pressed Man Yielding to Christ
... impressed into the King's service. That was Simon, the Cyrenian, who was
compelled to bear Christ's cross. He was not a volunteer ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 46 1900/a pressed man yielding to.htm

Crucified, Dead and Buried
... And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country,
the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross. ...
/.../mark/jesus of nazareth a biography/chapter xv crucified dead and.htm

Cyrenian (3 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CYRENIAN; CYRENIANS. ... For Cyrenians see
CYRENE. Multi-Version Concordance Cyrenian (3 Occurrences). ...
/c/cyrenian.htm - 8k

Cyre'ne (5 Occurrences)
Cyre'ne. Cyrene, Cyre'ne. Cyrenian . Multi-Version Concordance Cyre'ne
(5 Occurrences). Matthew 27:32 And coming forth, they found ...
/c/cyre'ne.htm - 7k

Cyrene (7 Occurrences)
... Jews from Cyrene were in Jerusalem at Pentecost (Acts 2:10); and Cyrenian Jews had
a synagogue at Jerusalem (6:9). Converts belonging to Cyrene contributed to ...
/c/cyrene.htm - 13k

Pressed (65 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Matthew 27:32 And coming forth, they found a man, a Cyrenian, by name Simon:
him they impressed that he might bear his cross; (Root in YLT NAS). ...
/p/pressed.htm - 25k

Cyrenians (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia CYRENIAN; CYRENIANS. si-re'-ni-an (Kurenaios,
"a native or inhabitant of Cyrene"): Two Jews of Cyrene ...
/c/cyrenians.htm - 7k

Field (390 Occurrences)
... Mark 15:21 And they compel to go with them a certain passer-by, Simon, a Cyrenian,
coming from the field, the father of Alexander and Rufus, that he might ...
/f/field.htm - 44k

Impressed (4 Occurrences)
... Impressed (4 Occurrences). Matthew 27:32 And coming forth, they found a man, a Cyrenian,
by name Simon: him they impressed that he might bear his cross; (YLT). ...
/i/impressed.htm - 7k

Impress (6 Occurrences)
... Mark 15:21 And they impress a certain one passing by -- Simon, a Cyrenian, coming
from the field, the father of Alexander and Rufus -- that he may bear his ...
/i/impress.htm - 9k

Forced (84 Occurrences)
... Forced (84 Occurrences). Matthew 27:32 And coming forth, they found a man, a Cyrenian,
by name Simon: him they impressed that he might bear his cross; (See NIV) ...
/f/forced.htm - 33k

Rufus (2 Occurrences)
... Red, the son of Simon the Cyrenian (Mark 15:21), whom the Roman soldiers
compelled to carry the cross on which our Lord was crucified. ...
/r/rufus.htm - 8k

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