Libertines
Summary
Jewish freedmen, probably descendants of Jews taken captive by Pompey and later emancipated, who had a synagogue in Jerusalem and were among Stephen's opponents.
☩Identity
The term 'Libertines' (Greek Libertinoi) appears only once in the New Testament, in Acts 6:9, identifying those who disputed with Stephen. The word is the Greek form of the Latin libertini, meaning 'freedmen' or emancipated slaves. They were most likely Jews who had been taken captive by the Roman general Pompey during the Syrian wars of 63 BC, were subsequently enslaved in Rome, and later freed. Having returned to Jerusalem, they established their own synagogue.
☩Historical Background
Pompey brought Jewish prisoners of war to Rome, where they were sold into slavery. Many were later liberated because their stubborn adherence to Jewish customs made them difficult to employ as slaves. Augustus allowed these freedmen to settle beyond the Tiber in Rome. Under Tiberius in AD 19, four thousand Jewish freedmen were expelled to Sardinia, while others had to leave Italy unless they renounced their religion. Many naturally sought refuge in Jerusalem and built a synagogue there, maintaining their identity as 'Libertines' or Roman freedmen.
☩Role in Stephen's Opposition
According to Acts, members of the synagogue of the Libertines, along with Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up to dispute with Stephen. Whether this describes one synagogue composed of Jews from various backgrounds or several synagogues has been debated. Some scholars suggest these freedmen were particularly zealous opponents of Christianity, having suffered so much for the religion which Christianity was now superseding. The future apostle Paul, being from Cilicia, may have been associated with this synagogue.
Related Verses1 mention
Acts· 1 verse
References
- 1.James Hastings (ed.), "Libertines," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Libertines," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Libertines," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).