Topical Encyclopedia
Rufus is a biblical figure mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Gospel of Mark and the Epistle to the Romans. His presence in the Scriptures, though brief, provides insight into the early Christian community and the interconnectedness of believers during the apostolic age.
Biblical References:1.
Mark 15:21 : "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 of Jesus." In this passage, Rufus is identified as the son of Simon of Cyrene, the man compelled by Roman soldiers to carry the cross of Jesus on the way to Golgotha. This mention suggests that Rufus and his family were known to the early Christian community, possibly indicating their involvement or prominence within the church.
2.
Romans 16:13 : "Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me as well." In this verse, the Apostle Paul sends greetings to Rufus, describing him as "chosen in the Lord." This designation implies a special recognition of Rufus's faith and standing within the Christian community in Rome. Additionally, Paul acknowledges Rufus's mother, highlighting her nurturing role and personal impact on his own life.
Historical and Theological Context:The mention of Rufus in both Mark and Romans suggests a continuity of faith and possibly a familial legacy of Christian service. The Gospel of Mark, traditionally associated with the Roman church, may have included Rufus's name to connect with readers who were familiar with him and his family. This connection underscores the communal nature of the early church, where personal relationships and shared experiences were integral to the spread of the Gospel.
Rufus's identification as "chosen in the Lord" in
Romans 16:13 reflects the theological concept of divine election, a theme prevalent in Pauline writings. This phrase indicates that Rufus was recognized for his commitment and contribution to the faith, serving as an example of a life transformed by the Gospel.
Cultural and Social Implications:The reference to Rufus's mother as a maternal figure to Paul highlights the role of women in the early church. Her mention signifies the importance of familial and spiritual support systems within the Christian community. Women often played crucial roles in nurturing and sustaining the faith, providing hospitality, and offering guidance to leaders and fellow believers.
Legacy and Influence:While the biblical text provides limited information about Rufus's life and activities, his inclusion in the New Testament canon suggests that he was a respected and influential member of the early church. His family's connection to the pivotal event of the crucifixion and their continued presence in the Christian community serve as a testament to the enduring impact of those who encountered Christ and carried forward His message.
Rufus's account, though brief, invites reflection on the interconnectedness of believers across generations and the diverse ways individuals contribute to the life and mission of the church.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Rufusred
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Rufus(red) is mentioned in (Mark 15:21) as a son of Simon the Cyrenian. (Luke 23:26) (A.D. 29.) Again, in (Romans 16:13) the apostle Paul salutes a Rufus whom he designates as "elect in the Lord." This Rufus was probably identical with the one to whom Mark refers.
ATS Bible Dictionary
RufusSon of Simon the Cyrenian who was constrained to carry the cross on which the Saviour was to be crucified,Mark 15:21. If he is the same person whom Paul salutes inRomans 16:13, as is probable, we may see in this instance the divine blessing abiding on the household of one who befriended Christ and bore his cross.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
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. Probably it is the same person who is again mentioned in
Romans 16:13 as a disciple at Rome, whose mother also was a Christian held in esteem by the apostle. Mark mentions him along with his brother Alexander as persons well known to his readers (
Mark 15:21).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
RUFUSroo'-fus (Rhouphos): The name is mentioned twice:
(1) Simon of Cyrene, who was compelled to bear the cross of Jesus, is "the father of Alexander and Rufus" (Mark 15:21);
(2) Paul sends greetings to Roman Christians, "Rufus the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine" (Romans 16:13).
Rufus was well known among those for whom Mark primarily wrote his Gospel, and according to tradition this was the Christian community at Rome. There seems no reason to doubt, therefore, that the Rufus of Mark and the Rufus of Paul are the same person. The name, meaning "red," "reddish," was, however, one of the commonest of slave names; the identification of these two is therefore merely a conjecture. The Rufus whom Paul greets is "the chosen in the Lord," i.e. "that choice Christian" (Denhey). Since all Christians are "chosen," this title must express some distinction. The mother of Rufus had played the mother's part to Paul on some occasion of which we are ignorant, hence the phrase "his mother and mine" (compareMark 10:30).
S. F. Hunter
Greek
4504. Rhouphos -- "red,"Rufus, a Christian at Rome... 4503, 4504. Rhouphos. 4505 . "red,"
Rufus, a
... Word Origin of Latin origin Definition
"red,"
Rufus, a Christian at Rome NASB Word Usage
Rufus (2).
Rufus.
...Library
Letter of Certain Easterns, who had Been Sent to Constantinople...
... Letter of certain Easterns, who had been sent to Constantinople, to BishopRufus....
Rufus is probably the bishop of Thessalonica. [2287] Psalm 14:3....
Simon the Cyrenian
... 'And they compel one Simon, a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country,
the father of Alexander andRufus, to bear His Cross.'"Mark 15:21....
Spiritual Reformers in the 16Th and 17Th Centuries
... byRUFUS M. JONES, MA, D.Litt. Professor Of Philosophy, Haverford College, USA....
Copyright. OTHER VOLUMES IN THIS SERIES. EDITED ByRUFUS M. JONES....
The Death which Gives Life
... 'And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country,
the father of Alexander andRufus, to bear His cross.22....
Christ Crucified
... "And they compel one passing by, Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, the father
of Alexander andRufus, to go with them, that he might bear His cross....
The Last Siege of the Jews under Adrian.
... 1. As the rebellion of the Jews at this time grew much more serious, [1009]Rufus,
governor of Judea, after an auxiliary force had been sent him by the emperor...
Jabneh. Jamnia.
... Being also sought for to be slain, when TurnusRufus (in Josephus, TerentiusRufus)
ploughed up the floor of the Temple, he was delivered by a way scarcely...
The Eastern Sects: Nestorians, Jacobites, Copts, Armenians.
... X. (1858), pp.279-288.Rufus Anderson (late For. Sec....Rufus Anderson: Republication
of the Gospel in Bible Lands, quoted above. Schaff: Church History, Vol....
The Crucifixion.
... c when they led him away, ^a they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: ^b one passing
by, coming from the country, the father of Alexander andRufus, ^a him...
Now Herod and Philip Built Several Cities in Honor of Caesar....
... After him came AnniusRufus, under whom died Caesar, the second emperor of the Romans,
the duration of whose reign was fifty-seven years, besides six months...
Thesaurus
Rufus (2 Occurrences)...RUFUS.
...Rufus was well known among those for whom Mark primarily wrote his Gospel,
and according to tradition this was the Christian community at Rome.
...Alexander (5 Occurrences)
... Mark alone tells that Simon was the father of Alexander andRufus. From
this statement of the evangelist, it is apparent that at...
Greetings (48 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Romans 16:13 Greetings toRufus, who is one of the Lord's chosen people;
and to his mother, who has also been a mother to me. (WEY)....
Greet (46 Occurrences)
... Lord. (WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV). Romans 16:13 GreetRufus, the chosen in the
Lord, and his mother and mine. (WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV). Romans...
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 andRufus -- that he may bear his...
Forced (84 Occurrences)
... Mark 15:21 They compelled one passing by, coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene,
the father of Alexander andRufus, to go with them, that he might bear his...
Ruffians (1 Occurrence)
Rug (1 Occurrence)
Elect (32 Occurrences)
... and Ecclus); of the great Servant of Yahweh (compare Luke 23:35; the "Christ of
God, his chosen"); compare eminent saints as Jacob, Moses,Rufus (Romans 16:13...
Eminent (9 Occurrences)
... invited by him, (See RSV). Romans 16:13 GreetRufus, the chosen in the Lord,
and his mother and mine. (See RSV). 2 Corinthians 11:5...
Resources
Who was Rufus in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho helped Jesus carry the cross? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Simon of Cyrene? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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