Note 21 at Ro 16:13: According to Strong's Concordance, the name Rufus means "red." The name Rufus is mentioned twice in Scripture (Mr 15:21 and here). It is unclear whether both of these instances refer to the same Rufus. If so, then this Rufus to whom Paul sent greetings in Rome would have been the son of Simon of Cyrene, the man who was compelled to bear the cross of Jesus. Paul also sent greetings to the mother of Rufus (see note 22 at this verse).

Note 22 at Ro 16:13: Paul greeted the mother of Rufus and called her his own mother. It is unclear whether this is figurative or literal. Most commentators suspect this was a figurative statement, as is the case elsewhere in Scripture (Mt 12:49-50, Mr 3:35, Joh 19:27, and 1Ti 5:2).