Mark 15:21 They pressed into service a passer-by coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene (the father of Alexander and Rufus), to bear His cross.

Who does the Roman cohort press into service as they led Jesus out to crucify Him after scourging and mocking Him?

“They pressed into service a passer-by…” (Mark 15:21).

·      ἀγγαρεύουσιν (angareuousin)

o  “ἀγγαρεύω, originally a Persian word, denotes the custom, common in the ancient world, whereby the soldiers of an occupying power could commandeer the services of local citizens or their animals for carrying baggage (Mt. 5:41; Josephus, Ant. 13:52; cf. on 11:2 for the right of kings to requisition transport, and cf. m. B. Mes. 6:3, where a form of the same verb is used.)"

R. T. France, The Gospel of Mark: a Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary, p. 63-64.

From where is the passer-by coming?

“…coming from the country…” (Mark 15:21).

·      ἐρχόμενον ἀπ᾽ἀγροῦ (erchomenon ap agrou)

“Since the fourth century a colony of Jews had lived in Cyrene North Africa. Simon may have been a Gentile or a God-fearer, but probably he was a Jew who had come to the feast. The statement ‘on his way in from the country’ does not necessarily indicate that he had been working in the fields but only that he was entering the city.”

James A. Brooks, Mark, Vol. 23, The New American Commentary, p. 256.

What is the name of the passer-by?

“…Simon…” (Mark 15:21).

Of what country is Simon?

“…of Cyrene…” (Mark 15:21).

·      “Cyrene Cyrenians. City on the coast of North Africa which was the capital of Cyrenaica. It was founded in the 7^th century B.C. by Greeks who engaged primarily in agricultural pursuits. Herodotus comments in his fifth-century B.C. Histories that ‘the land of Cyrene, the highest of that part of Libya which is inhabited by Nomads, has the remarkable peculiarity of three separate harvest-seasons … making for the fortunate people of Cyrene, a continuous autumn of eight months on end’ (4.199). It was conquered by Alexander the Great in 331 B.C. and later became a part of the Roman empire. During the period of the NT the city contained a large Jewish population which had come from Alexandria. One such person, named Simon, was visiting Jerusalem during the Passover feast the year Jesus Christ was crucified and was forced to carry his cross (Mt 27:32). Fifty days later Peter preached to Jews from Cyrene on Pentecost day in Jerusalem (Acts 2:10). Stephen was attacked by Jews associated with a synagogue that included people of Cyrene (Acts 6:9), some of whom were later converted and became preachers (Acts 11:20). They appear to have traveled as far north as Antioch, where a prominent Christian teacher was Lucius of Cyrene (Acts 13:1).”

Walter A. Elwell and Barry J. Beitzel, Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible, Vol. 1, p. 564.

Cyrene on Coast of North Africa; Map by Accordance Bible Atlas

Of whom is Simon of Cyrene the father?

“…(the father of Alexander and Rufus)…” (Mark 15:21).

·      “Mark says that Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus (Mark 15:21). Many suggest that Rufus is the one named in Romans 16:13 (cf. Alexander in Acts 19:33). The connection is strong when we consider that earliest tradition declares that Mark wrote his Gospel while in Rome, to the Roman church.”

Clinton E. Arnold, “The Journey to Golgotha and the Mocking (27:32-44),” Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke, Vol. 1, p. 177.

Why do they press Simon of Cyrene into service?

“…to bear His cross” (Mark 15:21).

·      ἵνα ἄρῃ τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ (hina arē ton stauron autou)

“The σταυρός which was carried out to the place of execution was probably the cross-piece, to be slotted into an upright already erected at the site. […] Normally the condemned man carried the cross-piece for the cross himself, as Jn 19:17 says Jesus did (John was presumably either unaware of Simon’s role or chose not to mention it; it is too firmly fixed in the tradition, and too insignificant in itself, to be a later insertion). The need for a porter arose from Jesus’ weakened state after the flogging (note his unusually quick death, v. 44); the fact that Simon is described as παράγων suggests that they had already set out from the πραιτώριον [Praetorium] with Jesus carrying the beam, but that he proved unable to continue.”

R. T. France, The Gospel of Mark: a Commentary on the Greek Text, New International Greek Testament Commentary, p. 63-64.

Father,

Jesus is able to save forever those who draw near to You through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. May all who are beloved in You and faithful in Christ Jesus be strengthened in the Lord to stand firm in the grace, love and truth of Jesus, that we may rejoice at His appearing. May we pick up our crosses daily and follow Him. May we keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.