Mnason

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

Mnason, an ‘early disciple’ (ἀρχαίῳ μαθητῇ, i.e. , probably, a disciple from the beginning [cf.  Acts 11:15, ἐν ἀρχῇ]), is mentioned in  Acts 21:16 as the host of St. Paul in Jerusalem. The ambiguity of the text has caused much discussion. Grammatically it may mean either that Mnason accompanied St. Paul and his friends from Caesarea to Jerusalem and then took in St. Paul, or that St. Paul’s friends brought him to Jerusalem to lodge with Mnason. Moreover, Cod. D and Syr. p. marg.[Note: margin.](Tisch.) introduce a variant reading which makes Mnason entertain St. Paul in a village on the way. But the difficulty is met by observing that the mind of the author of Acts is picturing the company after v. 15 as already in Jerusalem, as having Mnason as host, and being welcomed by the disciples. Nothing further is known of Mnason. The name occurs as a personal one some 30 times in the CIG [Note: IG Corpus Inscrip. Graecarum.], Graec. sept., vol. i., and also in Kaibel, no. 2393 (368). Cod. א and one or two Versions read ‘Jason’ for ‘Mnason’; cf. ‘Mambres’ for ‘Jambres’ (see Jannes and Jambres).

W. F. Cobb.

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

Of Cyprus; possibly converted through Barnabas a Cypriote, and one of those Cypriotes scattered abroad after Stephen's martyrdom who preached to the Greeks at Antioch ( Acts 4:36;  Acts 11:15;  Acts 11:19-20). "An old disciple," perhaps one from "the beginning" (as archaios in derivation means), i.e. from the day of Pentecost. Translated  Acts 21:16 "bringing us to Mnason with whom we should lodge" at Jerusalem, Mnason having a house there; the Caesarean brethren went to introduce Paul and his company to Mnason at Jerusalem. As an "elder" Mnason was "given to hospitality" ( 1 Timothy 3:2).

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

MNASON of Cyprus, mentioned in   Acts 21:16 as one who entertained Paul and his companions on their journey from Cæsarea to Jerusalem. The Greek in this passage admits of two constructions, either ‘bringing with them one Mnason,’ or ‘bringing us to Mnason.’ The most probable explanation is that Mnason lived in some village between Cæsarea and Jerusalem, and that Paul broke his Journey there and stayed the night with him. The distance was between 60 and 70 miles, too great for a day’s journey.

He is called ‘an old (RV [Note: Revised Version.] ‘early’) disciple,’ that is, one of the first disciples, probably one of those converted on the day of Pentecost.

Morley Stevenson.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Mna'son. (remembering). Mnason is honorably mentioned in Scripture.  Acts 21:16. It is most likely that his residence, at this time, was not Caesarea, but Jerusalem. He was a Cyprian by birth, and may have been a friend of Barnabas.  Acts 4:36.

Morrish Bible Dictionary

An aged disciple of Cyprus who accompanied Paul from Caesarea to Jerusalem, and with whom Paul lodged.  Acts 21:16 .

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Of Cyprus, "an old disciple" with whom Paul lodged at Jerusalem,  Acts 21:16 .

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Acts 21:16

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Acts 21:16

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

nā´son , m'nā´son ( Μνάσων , Mnásōn ): All that we know of Mnason is found in   Acts 21:16 . (1) He accompanied Paul and his party from Caesarea on Paul's last visit to Jerusalem; (2) he was a Cyprian; (3) "an early disciple," an early convert to Christianity, and (4) the one with whom Paul's company was to lodge. The "Western" text of this passage is very interesting. Blass, following Codex Bezae (D), the Syriac, reads, for "bringing," etc., "And they brought us to those with whom one should lodge, and when we had come into a certain village we stayed with Mnason a Cyprian, an early disciple, and having departed thence we came to Jerusalem and the brethren," etc. Meyer-Wendt, Page and Rendell render the accepted text, "bringing us to the house of Mnason," etc. However, giving the imperfect transitive of anebaı́nomen , "we were going up" to Jerusalem ( Acts 21:15 ), we might understand that the company lodged with Mnason on the 1st night of their journey to Jerusalem, and not at the city itself. " Acts 21:15 , they set about the journey;  Acts 21:16 , they lodged with Mnason on the introduction of the Cesarean disciples;  Acts 21:17 , they came to Jerus" ( Expositor's Greek Testament , in the place cited.).

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(Μυάσων, perh. reminding), a Christian with whom Paul lodged during his last visit at Jerusalem ( Acts 21:16). A.D. 55. He seems to have been a native of Cyprus, but an inhabitant of Jerusalem, like Barnabas (comp.  Acts 11:19-20). He was well known to the Christians at Casarea, and may have been a friend of Barnabas ( Acts 4:36), but appears not to have been before this acquainted with Paul. Some think that he was converted by Paul and Barnabas while at Cyprus ( Acts 13:9); but the designation "an old disciple" (ἀρχαῖος μαθητής) has more generally induced the conclusion that he was converted by Jesus himself, and was perhaps one of the seventy (see Kuinbl, Comment. ad loc.).

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

Mna´son, an 'old disciple,' with whom St. Paul lodged when at Jerusalem in A.D. 58 . He seems to have been a native of Cyprus, but an inhabitant of Jerusalem, like Joses and Barnabas. Some think that he was converted by Paul and Barnabas while at Cyprus : but the designation 'an old disciple,' has more generally induced the conclusion that he was converted by Jesus himself, and was perhaps one of the seventy.