MNASON nā’ sən (Μνάσων, G3643). A friend of Paul mentioned only in Acts 21:16. Three facts about him are known. First, he was a Cypriot like Barnabas, and prob. a Jew, though bearing a common Gr. name. Second, he was “an early disciple,” converted perhaps at Pentecost or soon afterward. In its context this description may imply exemplary fidelity. Third, he was hospitable, welcoming Paul and his Hel. companions, including Luke, to his house at Jerusalem. The Western text locates the house at a village between Caesarea and Jerusalem, but this may be simply an attempt to account for the unusual construction of v. 16, so that it is possible to tr. either “bringing with them Mnason” or “bringing us to Mnason.” It also is possible that he was one of Luke’s authorities for the course of events in the early days of the church at Caesarea and Jerusalem.