The Cyrenians were inhabitants of Cyrene, an ancient city located in the region of Cyrenaica, in present-day Libya, North Africa. Cyrene was a prominent Greek colony founded around 630 BC and became a significant center of commerce and culture. By the time of the New Testament, Cyrene had a substantial Jewish population, which played a notable role in the early Christian church.

Biblical References:

1. Simon of Cyrene: One of the most well-known references to a Cyrenian in the Bible is Simon of Cyrene. In the Synoptic Gospels, Simon is compelled by the Roman soldiers to carry the cross of Jesus on the way to Golgotha. Mark 15:21 states, "Now Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross." This act of service has been interpreted as a significant moment of participation in the suffering of Christ, symbolizing the call to bear one's cross in discipleship.

2. Cyrenian Jews in Jerusalem: The Book of Acts mentions Cyrenian Jews who were present in Jerusalem during significant events in the early church. Acts 2:10 lists "visitors from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism; Cretans and Arabs" among those who heard the apostles speaking in tongues on the day of Pentecost. This indicates the presence of Cyrenian Jews in the diverse crowd that witnessed the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

3. The Synagogue of the Freedmen: Acts 6:9 refers to a group of Cyrenians who were part of the "Synagogue of the Freedmen." This synagogue was involved in the dispute with Stephen, the first Christian martyr. The verse states, "But some from the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria, as well as from Cilicia and Asia—rose up and disputed with Stephen." This indicates the active participation of Cyrenian Jews in the religious and social life of Jerusalem.

4. Early Christian Missionaries: Cyrenians were also among the early missionaries who spread the Gospel beyond Jewish communities. Acts 11:20 notes, "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." This highlights the role of Cyrenian believers in the expansion of the early church and the inclusion of Gentiles in the Christian faith.

Historical and Cultural Context:

Cyrene was a city of considerable influence in the ancient world, known for its intellectual and cultural contributions. The Jewish community in Cyrene was well-established, and many Jews from Cyrene traveled to Jerusalem for religious festivals, as evidenced by their presence at Pentecost. The interaction between Cyrenian Jews and the early Christian movement illustrates the dynamic and diverse nature of the early church, which transcended ethnic and cultural boundaries.

The Cyrenians' involvement in the early church underscores the fulfillment of the Great Commission, as believers from various backgrounds came together to spread the message of Jesus Christ. Their participation in key events and missionary efforts reflects the universal call of the Gospel and the unity of believers in the body of Christ.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
... a Cyrenaean. Word Origin from Kurene Definition of Cyrene NASB Word Usage
Cyrene (5), Cyrenians (1). of Cyrene, Cyrenian. From Kurene ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2956.htm - 6k

Acts vi. 8
... Edd. thes legomenes) Libertines, and of the Cyrenians and Alexandrians,
and of them of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xv acts vi 8.htm

Acts VI
... (9) "Then there arose certain persons from the synagogue called the synagogue of
the Freedmen and Cyrenians, and those from Cilicia and Asia, disputing with ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts vi.htm

"Three Years Ago, Sulpitius, at which Time, Leaving this ...
... The sea-coast of the Cyrenians is indeed the most remote, bordering upon that desert
which lies between Egypt and Africa, [88] and through which Cato formerly ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter iii three years ago.htm

The History of Simon Magus.
... It is highly probable, that he was one of those Cyrenians by whom the Church of
Antioch was founded; and it is a natural inference, from his being a Prophet or ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture x the history of.htm

Acts xi. 19
... "And some of them, which were men of Cyprus and Cyrene," etc. (v.20.) And they did
not say, "(What), we, Cyrenians and Cyprians, to attack this splendid and ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxv acts xi 19.htm

Cestius Sends Neopolitanus the Tribune to See in what Condition ...
... Nor indeed have the Cyrenians, derived from the Lacedemonians, nor the Marmaridite,
a nation extended as far as the regions uninhabitable for want of water ...
/.../chapter 16 cestius sends neopolitanus.htm

The Institution of Deacons, and the History of Stephen.
... "There arose certain of the synagogue, which is called synagogue of the Libertines,
and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia, and of Asia ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture viii the institution of.htm

In Jerusalem when Herod Reigned
... But there were hundreds of Synagogues, [576] some for different nationalities -
such as the Alexandrians, or the Cyrenians; some for, or perhaps founded by ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter i in jerusalem when.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... welcomed him with open arms, and he took possession of the country between the two
branches of the Nile, probably aided by the Cyrenians; the Nile valley ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

Extracts No. vii.
... Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the
libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Celicia and of Asia ...
/.../ballou/a series of letters in defence of divine revelation/extracts no vii.htm

Cyrenians (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia CYRENIAN; CYRENIANS. ... For Cyrenians see CYRENE.
Multi-Version Concordance Cyrenians (2 Occurrences). ...
/c/cyrenians.htm - 7k

Libertines (1 Occurrence)
... were among Stephen's opponents: "There arose certain of them that were of the synagogue
called (the synagogue) of the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of ...
/l/libertines.htm - 11k

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

Cyre'nians (1 Occurrence)
Cyre'nians. Cyrenians, Cyre'nians. Cyrenius . Multi-Version Concordance
Cyre'nians (1 Occurrence). ... Cyrenians, Cyre'nians. Cyrenius . Reference Bible.
/c/cyre'nians.htm - 6k

Alexandrians (1 Occurrence)
... ALEXANDRIANS. al-eg-zan'-dri-ans (Alexandreis): Jews of Alexandria, who had,
with the Libertines and Cyrenians, a synagogue in Jerusalem. ...
/a/alexandrians.htm - 7k

Including (90 Occurrences)
... Acts 6:9 But some of those who were of the synagogue called "The Libertines," and
of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose ...
/i/including.htm - 33k

Freedmen (1 Occurrence)
... Acts 6:9 And there arose up certain of those of the synagogue called of freedmen,
and of Cyrenians, and of Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia ...
/f/freedmen.htm - 6k

Disputing (13 Occurrences)
... Acts 6:9 But some of those who were of the synagogue called "The Libertines," and
of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose ...
/d/disputing.htm - 10k

Disputed (10 Occurrences)
... Acts 6:9 and there arose certain of those of the synagogue, called of the Libertines,
and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia, and Asia ...
/d/disputed.htm - 9k

Provinces (40 Occurrences)
... Acts 6:9 But some of those who were of the synagogue called "The Libertines," and
of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose ...
/p/provinces.htm - 21k

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