Note 1 at Ac 21:16: This is the only mention of Mnason in Scripture. However, much can be gleaned about him from this verse. Mnason was from the island of Cyprus (see note 2 at Ac 11:19) as was Barnabas (see note 1 at Ac 4:36). He was an "old disciple," referring to the time of his conversion (see note 2 at this verse). He was hospitable, as can be seen by his treatment of Paul and his company here.

Some have even speculated that since Luke was among Paul's companions, Mnason may have provided some of the information that Luke used to compile the chronology of events for the early days of the church in the book of Acts.

Note 2 at Ac 21:16: The Greek word translated "old" here is "ARCHAIOS," and it has a variety of meanings. In this instance, many scholars think that it is describing Mnason as "'an early disciple'...not referring to age, but to his being one of the first who had accepted the Gospel from the beginning of its proclamation" (Vine's Expository Dictionary).

This event occurred somewhere between A.D. 57-58 (see note 2 at Ac 18:23), or thirty-five to thirty-seven years after the resurrection of Jesus. Supposing that Mnason was born again on the Day of Pentecost at the age of twenty, he would have been in his mid-fifties at this time.