Simon of Cyrene (Libya): First-Century Witness to African Christianity—and a Call to Faithful Discipleship Today

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Simon of Cyrene of Libya—his role at the cross, family ties, and impact on first-century African Christianity—calling today’s church to faithfulness.

The Problem: Are We Forgetting Africa’s First-Century Roots—and Faithfulness?

Ask around and you’ll hear it: “Christianity came to Africa through colonialism.” But the New Testament and early history say otherwise. Long before Europe looked south, Africans were already present in the story of Jesus and the birth of the church. One unforgettable name stands out—Simon of Cyrene—a Libyan Jew pressed into a moment that still preaches today.

This post does two things. First, it restores Africa’s first-century place in Christian origins through Simon’s story. Second, it uses Simon’s resilience and obedience to coach today’s church toward faithfulness, courage, and grace.

Ready to meet him face to face?

Who Was Simon of Cyrene?

Simon (Hebrew Shim‘on, “he has heard”) was a Jewish pilgrim from Cyrene, a Greek city in Cyrenaica (modern-day Libya). He was in Jerusalem during Passover when Roman soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross (c. AD 30–33). The Gospels of Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21, and Luke 23:26 all record this moment. Mark adds a striking detail: Simon was “the father of Alexander and Rufus.” (Mark 15:21). That parenthetical is a clue—Mark expected his readers to recognize those names, likely because Simon’s family later became known among believers.

Etymology & Background (Quick Notes)

  • Simon (Shim‘on) = “he has heard.”
  • Cyrene = a major North African city with a large Jewish diaspora community long before Jesus’ time.

Africa Was in the Room—From the Beginning

The New Testament shows North African Jews active in Jerusalem and the early church:

  • A “Synagogue of the Freedmen,” which included Cyrenians and Alexandrians, debated with Stephen in Jerusalem (Acts 6:9). Africans were not on the margins; they were participants in the earliest debates of the faith.
  • Men from Cyprus and Cyrene preached to Greeks in Antioch, catalyzing the first great mixed (Jew–Gentile) church in history (Acts 11:20).
  • In Antioch’s leadership team we meet Lucius of Cyrene (Acts 13:1)—an African teacher among the prophets who helped commission Paul’s missionary journeys.

Bottom line: African Christians and seekers were present and active from the first generation of the church—centuries before colonialism.

Simon’s Moment: The Cross That Became a Call

“As they led Him away, they seized Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus.” — Luke 23:26

Simon didn’t volunteer; he was compelled. But what looked like an interruption became an invitation. In one of history’s most sacred scenes, an African pilgrim shouldered the beam and walked behind the suffering Messiah.

Pastor’s-eye view: Isn’t that discipleship in one sentence—being pressed into obedience and discovering calling on the way?

Did Simon’s Family Join the Movement?

  • Mark names Alexander and Rufus (Mark 15:21).
  • Paul later greets a Rufus and his mother in Rome (Romans 16:13). Many scholars see a plausible connection, though it cannot be proven with certainty.

Archaeology Footnote (Intriguing but Cautious)

In 1941, archaeologist E. L. Sukenik reported a Jerusalem ossuary inscribed “Alexander son of Simon,” found in a Cyrenian burial cave (pre-AD 70). It’s tempting to link this to Simon’s family, but scholars rightly say the identification is possible, not proven.

Simon of Cyrene and the Fruits of African Faith

While Scripture doesn’t track Simon’s later ministry directly, the African stream of the first-century church is clear:

  1. Antioch’s Breakthrough.
    Men from Cyrene helped plant the Antioch church (Acts 11:20), the hub from which Paul and Barnabas launched missions to the Mediterranean world. That’s fruit.

  2. African Leadership.
    Lucius of Cyrene served among Antioch’s prophets and teachers (Acts 13:1). The board that sent Paul was not Europe-only; it included North Africans.

  3. Diaspora Networks.
    The presence of Cyrenian synagogues in Jerusalem (Acts 6:9) shows a robust African–Levantine corridor. Those networks carried the gospel back to Libya and Egypt, preparing soil for later centers like Alexandria.

So, did churches and schools arise “through Simon” by name?
We can’t document a direct institutional chain from Simon himself. But the Cyrenian community’s role in Antioch, leadership in missions, and deep roots in Jerusalem form a credible African pathway for Christian growth in the first century—well before later colonial movements.

What Simon Teaches Today’s Church (Resilience, Courage, Followership)

1) Resilience After Interruption

Simon’s day was hijacked—and holy. Faithfulness often begins where control ends.
Question: When God interrupts your plans, do you resist—or follow behind Jesus?

2) Courage Under Pressure

Simon obeyed under Roman compulsion and public scorn. Real discipleship keeps walking when eyes are watching and shoulders ache.
Question: Where is God asking you to carry a cross you didn’t choose?

3) Faithful Followership

Mark’s mention of Simon’s sons hints that his obedience likely shaped a household. Churches don’t thrive on celebrity; they grow on families that follow Jesus together (cf. Joshua 24:15).

4) From Proximity to Participation

Cyrenians didn’t just stand near the gospel—they proclaimed it in Antioch (Acts 11:20). Don’t settle for attending; advance the mission.

Bible Anchors for the Journey

  • Mark 15:21 — Simon of Cyrene named, with Alexander and Rufus.
  • Luke 23:26 — Simon carries the cross behind Jesus (the posture of a disciple).
  • Acts 6:9 — Cyrenians active in Jerusalem’s religious life.
  • Acts 11:20 — Men of Cyrene preach in Antioch, sparking a multiethnic church.
  • Acts 13:1 — Lucius of Cyrene among Antioch’s prophets and teachers.
  • Romans 16:13 — Rufus greeted in Rome; possibly Simon’s son (plausible, not proven).

Extra-Biblical Touchpoints (Handle with Care)

  • Ossuary Evidence: The “Alexander son of Simon” ossuary from a Cyrenian tomb in Jerusalem (pre-AD 70) provides archaeological plausibility for a Cyrenian family named Simon–Alexander in the right place and time. Identity unproven, but noteworthy.
  • African Diaspora History: Jewish presence in Cyrenaica is well attested in antiquity, framing Simon’s world.

Clearing a Modern Myth: “Christianity Was Imported to Africa”

The record says otherwise:

  • First-century African involvement is embedded in Scripture itself (Cyrenians in Jerusalem and Antioch; African leaders like Lucius).
  • Within a generation, Alexandria (Egypt) emerged as a major Christian center (later associated with Mark), further rooting the faith in Africa long before European colonial powers existed.

African Christianity is apostolic-era Christianity. It is not a colonial add-on; it is part of the foundation.

Practicing Simon-Style Faithfulness (Tools & Next Steps)

For individuals

  • Carry the needed cross. When God interrupts, obey quickly.
  • Disciple your household. Talk about Jesus at meals; pray with kids; model repentance (Deuteronomy 6:6–7).
  • Serve when unseen. Simon’s story is short—yet eternal. Do the small, hard good.

For churches

  • Name Africa’s roots. Teach Acts 6, 11, and 13. Celebrate Africa’s presence in the early church story.
  • Form Antioch-style teams. Blend cultures and gifts on leadership teams (Acts 13:1).
  • Restore with grace. The cross Simon carried leads to forgiveness. Discipline should aim at restoration, not erasure (Galatians 6:1).

For scholars & teachers

  • Show the evidence and its limits. Share the ossuary story as suggestive, not certain. Model honest handling of sources.

Reflection Questions (Make It Personal)

  1. Where has God interrupted your plans this year—and how might that be your invitation?
  2. Which “cross” are you resisting that could become your calling?
  3. How can your family become a living witness like Simon’s household may have been?
  4. How will you help your church recover Africa’s first-century roots—not as trivia, but as identity and mission?

As a way of Conclusion 

Simon of Cyrene (Libya) shows that African Christianity is first-century Christianity. His forced obedience became a living picture of discipleship, and the Cyrenian stream helped launch the Antioch mission. In an age that prizes comfort, Simon calls us back to faithful followership—carrying the cross behind Jesus and building churches that honor Africa’s apostolic roots while advancing the gospel with courage, unity, and grace.

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