AI illustration: Cyprus - Island in the Mediterranean

What is Cyprus in the Bible?

Home of Barnabas and Mnason, and a place where the early church preached the gospel.

Cyprus is an island that appears several times in the book of Acts. It is a large island in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, south of Asia Minor and west of Syria.

Cyprus in the Bible

Acts names it as the home country of Joses, the Levite whom the apostles surnamed Barnabas (Acts 4:36), and of Mnason, an old disciple who travels with Paul's company to Jerusalem (Acts 21:16). Believers scattered by the persecution after Stephen's death travel as far as Cyprus, preaching only to Jews, and some men of Cyprus and Cyrene go on to Antioch and preach the Lord Jesus to the Grecians (Acts 11:19-20). Sent out by the Holy Ghost, Barnabas and Saul sail from Seleucia to Cyprus (Acts 13:4).

After their sharp disagreement with Paul, Barnabas takes Mark and sails there again (Acts 15:39). Later, Paul's ship sights Cyprus and passes it on the left on the way to Tyre (Acts 21:3), and on the voyage to Rome it sails under Cyprus because of contrary winds (Acts 27:4).

Name origin
Greek
Role
Island in the Mediterranean
Appearances in the Bible
8 mentions

Questions about Cyprus

What is Cyprus in the Bible?

Cyprus is an island that appears several times in the book of Acts. It is a large island in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, south of Asia Minor and west of Syria. Acts names it as the home country of Joses, the Levite whom the apostles surnamed Barnabas (Acts 4:36), and of Mnason, an old disciple who travels with Paul's company to Jerusalem (Acts 21:16). Believers scattered by the persecution after Stephen's death travel as far as Cyprus, preaching only to Jews, and some men of Cyprus and Cyrene go on to Antioch and preach the Lord Jesus to the Grecians (Acts 11:19-20). Sent out by the Holy Ghost, Barnabas and Saul sail from Seleucia to Cyprus (Acts 13:4). After their sharp disagreement with Paul, Barnabas takes Mark and sails there again (Acts 15:39). Later, Paul's ship sights Cyprus and passes it on the left on the way to Tyre (Acts 21:3), and on the voyage to Rome it sails under Cyprus because of contrary winds (Acts 27:4).

Where is Cyprus first mentioned in the Bible?

Cyprus is first mentioned in The Acts of the Apostles 4:36.

How many times is Cyprus mentioned in the Bible?

Number of mentions in the Bible: 8.