A man who carried Jesus' cross on the way to crucifixion.
Simon
Named in 3 verses across 3 books, first in Matthew 27:32.
ΣίμωνSimon
The name means “that hears; that obeys.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
About Simon Written by AI
Simon of Cyrene is mentioned in Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21, and Luke 23:26 as the man who was compelled by Roman soldiers to carry Jesus' cross on the way to his crucifixion at Golgotha. Cyrene was a city in modern-day Libya, North Africa, indicating that Simon may have been a visitor to Jerusalem, possibly for the Passover festival. The gospels record that as Jesus was being led out of the city to be crucified, he was weakened by the torture and beatings he had endured. The Roman soldiers seized Simon, who was passing by on his way in from the country, and forced him to carry Jesus' cross behind him. Mark's gospel provides an additional detail, mentioning that Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus (Mark 15:21). This suggests that Simon's sons were known to the early Christian community, possibly as believers themselves. Simon's role in carrying Jesus' cross has been seen as a symbolic representation of the Christian call to take up one's cross and follow Christ (Matthew 16:24; Luke 9:23). His brief but significant appearance in the gospel narrative has made him a figure of contemplation and veneration in Christian tradition.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
This entry is on the name Simon, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.
The abbreviated form of Simeon. (1.) One of the twelve apostles, called the Canaanite (Matt. 10:4; Mark 3:18). This word “Canaanite” does not mean a native of Canaan, but is derived from the Syriac word Kanean or Kaneniah, which was the name of a Jewish sect. The Revised Version has “Cananaean;” marg., “or Zealot” He is also called “Zelotes” (Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13; R.V., “the Zealot”), because previous to his call to the apostleship he had been a member of the fanatical sect of the Zealots. There is no record regarding him.
(2.) The father of Judas Iscariot (John 6:71; 13:2, 26).
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(3.) One of the brothers of our Lord (Matt. 13:55; Mark 6:3).
(4.) A Pharisee in whose house “a woman of the city which was a sinner” anointed our Lord’s feet with ointment (Luke 7:36-38).
(5.) A leper of Bethany, in whose house Mary anointed our Lord’s head with ointment “as he sat at meat” (Matt. 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9).
(6.) A Jew of Cyrene, in North Africa, then a province of Libya. A hundred thousand Jews from Palestine had been settled in this province by Ptolemy Soter (B.C. 323-285), where by this time they had greatly increased in number. They had a synagogue in Jerusalem for such of their number as went thither to the annual feasts. Simon was seized by the soldiers as the procession wended its way to the place of crucifixion as he was passing by, and the heavy cross which Christ from failing strength could no longer bear was laid on his shoulders. Perhaps they seized him because he showed sympathy with Jesus. He was the “father of Alexander and Rufus” (Matt. 27:32). Possibly this Simon may have been one of the “men of Cyrene” who preached the word to the Greeks (Acts 11:20).
(7.) A sorcerer of great repute for his magical arts among the Samaritans (Acts 8:9-11). He afterwards became a professed convert to the faith under the preaching of Philip the deacon and evangelist (12, 13). His profession was, however, soon found to be hollow. His conduct called forth from Peter a stern rebuke (8:18-23). From this moment he disappears from the Church’s history. The term “Simony,” as denoting the purchase for money of spiritual offices, is derived from him.
(8.) A Christian at Joppa, a tanner by trade, with whom Peter on one occasion lodged (Acts 9:43).
(9.) Simon Peter (Matt. 4:18). See PETER.
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
Where the Bible names him
- Matthew 27:32
Along the way they found a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross of Jesus.
- Mark 15:21
Now Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and the soldiers forced him to carry the cross of Jesus.
- Luke 23:26
As the soldiers led Him away, they seized Simon of Cyrene on his way in from the country, and they put the cross on him to carry behind Jesus.
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.