Who was Rufus?

 

 Rufus and Alexander are mentioned in Mark 15:21 as sons of Simon of Cyrene (near modern Shahhat Libya), who helped Jesus during his crucifixion ordeal by carrying his cross. Paul mentions this Rufus in Romans 16:13.

Acts 11:20 mentions that men of Cyrene preached the Gospel to the Greeks. Many now believe that this is a reference to Rufus, and possibly his brother Alexander, since The Seventy (or Seventy-two) Disciples sent out as preparatory teams before Jesus’ travels included Rufus, the Bishop of Thebes in Greece, and several other men from Cyrene. This is described in Luke 10:1, “After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. “

Bishop Solomon of Basra in the 13^th century Book of the Bee lists and groups together, among the Seventy, Rufus, Alexander, Simon the Cyrenian, their father, and Lucius the Cyrenian.

Christians

At some time during their lives, the following people have publicly identified themselves as Christian.   Inclusion in this list does not indicate approval or disapproval of the person, of their orthodoxy or lack of it, or of their actions.  Some of those listed may surprise you.  Readers are encouraged to suggest persons who should be included on this list.  This is a recurring segment in this blog.

Rufus: The brother of Alexander and one of the sons of Simon of Cyrene (Mark 15:21).  He is possibly the same man mentioned by Paul in Romans 16:13.

Marcus: Marcus was a relative of Barnabas.  He left Paul but later became an important Christian leader.  (Acts 13:13, 15:39; 2 Timothy 4:11)

Simeon: (aka: Niger) Simeon was a leader in the church at Antioch (Antakya, Turkey).  He chose Paul and Barnabas as missionaries.  Acts 13:1-2.

Epaenetus: Epaenetus of Rome is mentioned by Paul in Romans 16:5.  He was possibly the first male Christian convert in Asia.

Philologus: This Roman Christian is mentioned by Paul in Romans 16:15.