Lexical Summary Kurénaios: Cyrenian Original Word: Κυρηναῖος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of Cyrene, Cyrenian. From Kurene; i.e. Cyrenaean, i.e. Inhabitant of Cyrene -- of Cyrene, Cyrenian. see GREEK Kurene NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom Kuréné Definition of Cyrene NASB Translation Cyrene (5), Cyrenians (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2956: ΚυρηναῖοςΚυρηναῖος, Κυρηναίου, ὁ (Κυρήνη, which see), a Cyrenaean (A. V. (R. V. Acts 6:9) Cyrenian), a native of Cyrene: Matthew 27:32; Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26; Acts 6:9; Acts 11:20; Acts 13:1. ((Herodotus, others.)) Topical Lexicon Geographical Background Cyrene was a prominent Hellenistic city on the Mediterranean coast of modern-day Libya. Founded by Greek settlers in the seventh century BC, it developed into a cosmopolitan center famous for learning, trade, and agriculture. By the first century AD a sizable Jewish community had been established there, the result of both voluntary migration and the dispersions under the Ptolemies. The New Testament references to “Cyrenians” therefore point to Jews (or proselytes) who spoke Greek fluently, were steeped in synagogue life, and were already accustomed to cultural diversity—an ideal soil for the spread of the gospel. Cyrenians in the Passion Narratives: Simon of Cyrene Matthew 27:32; Mark 15:21; and Luke 23:26 each spotlight Simon, “a man of Cyrene,” compelled to carry the cross of Jesus on the way to Golgotha. Mark adds that he was “the father of Alexander and Rufus,” apparently well-known to the Roman church (compare Romans 16:13). The brief but vivid episode underscores several themes: The Synagogue of the Cyrenians and Stephen’s Witness Acts 6:9 records opposition to Stephen from “members of the so-called Synagogue of the Freedmen, including Cyrenians.” These were emancipated Jews (or their descendants) returned from slavery, joining others from Alexandria, Cilicia, and Asia. Their debate with Stephen, ending in his martyrdom, brings Cyrenians into the crucible of persecution and scatters believers beyond Jerusalem—fulfilling Acts 1:8. Missionary Expansion from Cyrene Acts 11:20: “But some of them, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began speaking to Greeks also, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus.” Key observations: 1. These unnamed Cyrenian evangelists pioneer intentional outreach to Gentiles, marking a watershed in redemptive history. Leadership in the Church at Antioch Acts 13:1 lists “Lucius of Cyrene” among the prophets and teachers who, while worshiping and fasting, receive the Spirit’s directive to commission Barnabas and Saul. Lucius represents: Theological Significance 1. Providence in Diaspora: The scattering of Jews to Cyrene, though historically painful, positioned witnesses strategically for the gospel’s advance. Lessons for Today • Geographic or cultural distance is no barrier to usefulness in God’s plan; peripheral communities may become catalytic. Thus every occurrence of Strong’s Greek 2956 threads the account of Cyrenian believers into the fabric of redemptive history—from the road to Calvary, through the first martyrdom, to the launching of world missions—testifying that the gospel unites, empowers, and sends. Forms and Transliterations Κυρηναιοι Κυρηναῖοι Κυρηναιον Κυρηναῖον Κυρηναιος Κυρηναῖος Κυρηναιων Κυρηναίων Kurenaioi Kurēnaioi Kurenaion Kurēnaion Kurēnaiōn Kurenaios Kurēnaios Kyrenaioi Kyrenaîoi Kyrēnaioi Kyrēnaîoi Kyrenaion Kyrenaíon Kyrenaîon Kyrēnaion Kyrēnaiōn Kyrēnaíōn Kyrēnaîon Kyrenaios Kyrenaîos Kyrēnaios KyrēnaîosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 27:32 N-AMSGRK: εὗρον ἄνθρωπον Κυρηναῖον ὀνόματι Σίμωνα NAS: a man of Cyrene named KJV: a man of Cyrene, Simon INT: they found a man of Cyrene by name Simon Mark 15:21 N-AMS Luke 23:26 N-AMS Acts 6:9 N-GMP Acts 11:20 N-NMP Acts 13:1 N-NMS Strong's Greek 2956 |
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