Bible Dictionary
Rufus
Rufus was the son of Simon of Cyrene, who was compelled to carry Jesus’ cross. Paul later greeted a Christian named Rufus in Rome, possibly the same man, whose mother had shown kindness to Paul.
Definition
Rufus means “red” or “reddish.” One Rufus was a son of Simon of Cyrene, who was compelled to carry Jesus’ cross. Another Rufus was a Christian in Rome whom Paul greeted.
Biblical Usage
Mark names Rufus with his brother Alexander as a son of Simon the Cyrenian. Paul calls the Roman Rufus “chosen in the Lord” and sends greetings to his mother, whom he describes as also having been a mother to him. The two Rufuses may be the same person, but this remains a conjecture.
Historical Background
Rufus was a common slave name. The name was familiar to the readers of Mark, and the Roman Christian community is one proposed setting for that Gospel’s original audience.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
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 Rom. 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).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(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.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>roo'-fus (Rhouphos): The name is mentioned twice:</p><p>(1) Simon of Cyrene, who was compelled to bear the cross of Jesus, is "the father of Alexander and Rufus" (Mr 15:21);</p><p>(2) Paul sends greetings to Roman Christians, "Rufus the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine" (Ro 16:13).</p><p>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" (compare Mr 10:30).</p><p>S. F. Hunter</p>