Rufus

Two persons by this name are mentioned in the New Testament.

1. The first is mentioned as the son of Simon, a Cyrene who was in Jerusalem, "passing by on his way in from the country," who was forced to carry the cross when Jesus was led on the way to the crucifixion (Mk 15:21). The way he and his brother Alexander are mentioned assumes the audience knows who they are. They may have become Christians and members of the Christian community known to Mark; unfortunately, we have no certain information about them. Neither of them are mentioned in the other Gospels.

2. A Christian in Rome, to whom Paul sends his greetings in his letter to the Romans (16:13). Paul calls him "chosen in the Lord," an expression used only of him. We know nothing else about him as well, though Paul sends greetings to his mother "who has been a mother to me, too." This suggests that Paul was probably a beneficiary of their hospitality.