“Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.”
Opposition arose, however, from members of various synagogues - the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called) - Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen - the 'Synagogue of the Freedmen' (synagōgē tōn leuthherōn) was likely composed of former slaves or descendants of slaves, representing diaspora Judaism. The opposition arises from 'various synagogues,' suggesting Stephen's missionary work in diaspora communities threatened their authority. The geographical range (Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, Asia) shows how far the gospel's challenge extended.
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