Cyrene: A city (now Tripoli) in Upper Libya, North Africa, founded by a colony
of Greeks (B.C. 630) It contained latterly a large number of Jews,
who were introduced into the city by Ptolemy, the son of Lagus,
because he thought they would contribute to the security of the
place. They increased in number and influence; and we are thus
prepared for the frequent references to them in connection with the
early history of Christianity. Simon, who bore our Lord's cross, was
a native of this place
(Matthew 27:32; Mark 15:21) Jews from Cyrene were in
Jerusalem at Pentecost
(Acts 2:10) and Cyrenian Jews had a synagogue at
Jerusalem
(Acts 6:9) Converts belonging to Cyrene contributed to the
formation of the first Gentile church at Antioch
(Acts 11:20) Among "the
prophets and teachers" who "ministered to the Lord at Antioch" was
Lucius of Cyrene
(Acts 13:1)
