Topical Encyclopedia
Mnason is a relatively obscure figure mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Book of Acts. His brief appearance provides insight into the early Christian community and the practice of hospitality among believers.
Biblical Reference:Mnason is mentioned in
Acts 21:16. The Apostle Paul, on his journey to Jerusalem, is accompanied by disciples from Caesarea. The passage states: "Some of the disciples from Caesarea also went with us and brought us to the home of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, where we were to stay" (
Acts 21:16). This verse highlights Mnason's role as a host to Paul and his companions.
Background and Significance:1.
Origin and Identity: · Mnason is identified as being from Cyprus, an island in the eastern Mediterranean. Cyprus holds significance in early Christian history as the home of Barnabas, a prominent figure in the Acts of the Apostles.
· He is described as an "early disciple," suggesting that he was among the first converts to Christianity, possibly dating back to the time of the church's inception at Pentecost or shortly thereafter.
2.
Role in the Early Church: · Mnason's willingness to host Paul and his companions indicates his active participation in the Christian community. Hospitality was a crucial aspect of early Christian life, reflecting the teachings of Jesus and the apostles on love and service.
· His home served as a place of refuge and fellowship for traveling believers, demonstrating the interconnectedness and mutual support within the body of Christ.
3.
Hospitality and Christian Virtue: · The act of opening one's home to fellow believers was a practical expression of Christian love and unity. Mnason's hospitality is an example of living out the command to "practice hospitality" (
Romans 12:13).
· This practice was essential for the spread of the Gospel, as it provided missionaries like Paul with the necessary support and resources to continue their ministry.
4.
Legacy and Influence: · Although Mnason is mentioned only once in Scripture, his contribution to the early church is significant. His example of hospitality and faithfulness serves as an inspiration for Christians to support one another and to be generous with their resources.
· Mnason's mention in Acts underscores the importance of seemingly small acts of service in the broader narrative of God's work through His people.
In summary, Mnason of Cyprus is a testament to the vital role of hospitality and community in the early church. His brief but meaningful appearance in the Book of Acts highlights the interconnectedness of believers and the importance of supporting one another in the mission of spreading the Gospel.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Mnasona diligent seeker; an exhorter
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Mnason(remembering) is honorably mentioned in Scripture. (Acts 21:16) It is most likely that his residence at this time was not Caesarea, but Jerusalem. He was a Cyprian by birth, and may have been a friend of Barnabas. (Acts 4:36)
ATS Bible Dictionary
MnasonOf Cyprus, "an old disciple" with whom Paul lodged at Jerusalem,Acts 21:16.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Reminding, or remembrancer, a Christian of Jerusalem with whom Paul lodged (
Acts 21:16). He was apparently a native of Cyprus, like Barnabas (
11:19, 20), and was well known to the Christians of Caesarea (
4:36). He was an "old disciple" (R.V., "early disciple"), i.e., he had become a Christian in the beginning of the formation of the Church in Jerusalem.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MNASONna'-son, m'-na'-son (Mnason): All that we know of Mnason is found inActs 21:16.
(1) He accompanied Paul and his party from Caesarea on Paul's last visit to Jerusalem;
(2) he was a Cyprian;
(3) "an early disciple," an early convert to Christianity, and
(4) the one with whom Paul's company was to lodge.
The "Western" text of this passage is very interesting. Blass, following Codex Bezae (D), the Syriac, reads, for "bringing," etc., "And they brought us to those with whom one should lodge, and when we had come into a certain village we stayed with Mnason a Cyprian, an early disciple, and having departed thence we came to Jerusalem and the brethren," etc. Meyer-Wendt, Page and Rendell render the accepted text, "bringing us to the house of Mnason," etc. However, giving the imperfect transitive of anebainomen, "we were going up" to Jerusalem (21:15), we might understand that the company lodged with Mnason on the 1st night of their journey to Jerusalem, and not at the city itself. "Acts 21:15, they set about the journey; 21:16, they lodged with Mnason on the introduction of the Cesarean disciples; 21:17, they came to Jerus" (Expositor's Greek Testament, in the place cited.).
S. F. Hunter
Greek
3416.Mnason --Mnason, a Christian... 3415, 3416.
Mnason. 3417 .
Mnason, a Christian. Part of Speech: Noun,
Masculine Transliteration:
Mnason Phonetic Spelling: (mnah
...Library
An Old Disciple
... THE ACTS CHAP. XIII TO END AN OLD DISCIPLE. '... OneMnason of Cyprus,
an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.'"Acts 21:16....
Acts xx. 32
... Jerusalem." (v.15.) "And there went with us also certain of the disciples from C??sarea,
bringing us to one with whom we should lodge, oneMnason, an ancient...
Remaining and Falling Asleep
... the departed. We read of one of them in the Acts of the Apostles at a later
date than this, oneMnason, an 'original disciple.'. So...
Paul's Last Journey to Jerusalem
... Some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us and brought us to the house of
Mnason of Cyprus, one of the early disciples, with whom we were to stay....
Acts XXI
... (16) Some of the disciples from C??sarea went with us, conducting us to oneMnason,
a Cyprian, and an old disciple, with whom we should lodge." The journey had...
The Acts of the Apostles
... Luke may have learnt the history of events with which Philip was concerned, as he
stayed with him at Caesarea (xxi.8-12), and he also knewMnason, who was one...
The Acts of the Apostles
... whose guest he was for several days, 21: 8-15, and with whom he must have had frequent
intercourse during Pauls later stay at Cesarea; and fromMnason, an old...
The Pilgrim's Progress
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <....
Thesaurus
Mnason (1 Occurrence)... Jerusalem. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
MNASON. na'-son, m'-na'-son (
Mnason):
All that we know of
Mnason is found in Acts 21:16. (1
...Cyprus (12 Occurrences)
... 39).Mnason, an "old disciple," probaly one of the converts of the day of
Pentecost belonging to this island, is mentioned (21:16)....
Jumping (14 Occurrences)
... (4) They were among the first converts, "early disciples" likeMnason of Cyprus
(Acts 21:16). SF Hunter. Multi-Version Concordance Jumping (14 Occurrences)....
Joined (146 Occurrences)
... Acts 21:16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea also joined our party, and brought
with themMnason, a Cyprian, one of the early disciples, at whose house we...
Mizzah (3 Occurrences)
Cesarea (17 Occurrences)
... Acts 21:16 There went with us also certain of the disciples of Cesarea, and brought
with them oneMnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge....
Caesare'a (17 Occurrences)
... Acts 21:16 And some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, taking a certain
Mnason of Cyprus, one of the early disciples, in whose house we were to be...
Cyprian (2 Occurrences)
... Acts 21:16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea also joined our party, and brought
with themMnason, a Cyprian, one of the early disciples, at whose house we...
Accompanied (43 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Acts 21:16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea also went with us, bringing
oneMnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we would stay....
Aged (63 Occurrences)
... Acts 21:16 and there went also of the disciples from Cesarea with us, bringing with
them him with whom we may lodge, a certainMnason of Cyprus, an aged...
Resources
What is the significance of Cyprus in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat happened on Paul's third missionary journey? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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