Rufus — person in the Bible

Rufus

Man living at the time of the New Testament

Rufus was a believer in Rome, chosen in the Lord, whose mother had also been a mother figure to Paul.

Rufus is mentioned in Rom.16.13 as a member of the Christian community in Rome. Paul describes him as "chosen in the Lord," indicating that he was a faithful and distinguished believer. Paul also sends greetings to Rufus' mother, whom he says had been like a mother to him as well. This suggests that Rufus and his mother had a close relationship with Paul and had shown him kindness and hospitality, possibly during his missionary travels. The fact that Paul singles out Rufus and his mother for special mention implies that they were well-known and respected within the Roman church. Some scholars speculate that this Rufus could be the same person as the son of Simon of Cyrene mentioned in Mrk.15.21, but there is no conclusive evidence to support this connection.

Connections

Simon of Cyrene and his sons

FamilyHypothesis

Mark alone names Simon's sons Alexander and Rufus, implying his readers knew them. Paul greets a Rufus in Romans 16:13, "chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine".

SimonCarried the cross RufusSon of Simon AlexanderSon of Simon RufusBeliever in Rome, son of Paul's "mother"

Where the text shows it: Mark 15:21 — Simon, father of Alexander and RufusRomans 16:13 — Rufus and his mother

Ways people read this (2)

Same Rufus, now a leader in the Roman church.
Coincidence, as Rufus was a common name.

Sources: Scripture

Where Rufus appears

1 verse in 1 book · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s G4504

Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.