Matthew 27:32

KJV

And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} as they came out {G1831}, they found {G2147} a man {G444} of Cyrene {G2956}, Simon {G4613} by name {G3686}: him {G5126} they compelled {G29} to {G2443} bear {G142} his {G846} cross {G4716}.

Complete Jewish Bible

As they were leaving, they met a man from Cyrene named Shim`on; and they forced him to carry Yeshua's execution-stake.

Berean Standard Bible

Along the way they found a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross of Jesus.

American Standard Version

And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to go with them, that he might bear his cross.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 27:32 recounts a pivotal moment during Jesus' arduous journey to Golgotha, where Roman soldiers, observing Jesus' extreme physical debilitation, compelled a man named Simon from Cyrene to carry the instrument of His crucifixion. This seemingly incidental event highlights the profound suffering of Christ, the Roman practice of forced conscription, and introduces an unexpected figure into the unfolding drama of redemption, who, though unwillingly, became a participant in the ultimate act of self-sacrifice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Pilate's condemnation of Jesus, the brutal scourging, and the soldiers' mocking of Him as "King of the Jews" in [Matthew 27:27-31](/matthew/27-27-31 "Matthew 27:27-31 - Jesus Mocked by Soldiers"). The narrative then transitions to the procession to Golgotha, the place of crucifixion. While [John 19:17](/john/19-17 "John 19:17 - Jesus Carries His Own Cross") indicates Jesus initially carried His own cross, Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record Simon's compelled assistance, underscoring the severity of Jesus' physical state after the preceding torments. The subsequent verses describe Jesus' crucifixion between two robbers, the taunts of passersby, and His eventual death, placing Simon's brief appearance within the immediate prelude to the central event of the Gospel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Roman crucifixion was a barbaric form of capital punishment designed to inflict maximum suffering and public humiliation. Condemned individuals were typically scourged beforehand, often to the brink of death, and then forced to carry their own *patibulum* (the horizontal crossbeam) to the execution site. The term "compelled" (Greek *aggareuō*) reflects a Roman practice of forced public service, often associated with couriers or the requisition of resources, as seen in [Matthew 5:41](/matthew/5-41 "Matthew 5:41 - Go the Extra Mile"). Simon, identified as "of Cyrene," was likely a Jewish pilgrim from Cyrene (modern-day Libya) who had traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover feast, making him an outsider caught in a grim spectacle. The location, "as they came out" of the city, aligns with the Jewish law requiring executions to occur outside the city walls, as referenced in [Leviticus 24:14](/leviticus/24-14 "Leviticus 24:14 - Taking the Blasphemer Outside the Camp").
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes within Matthew's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. It powerfully illustrates the **suffering of the Messiah**, emphasizing the physical and emotional toll of the atonement, even before the cross itself. The theme of **unwilling participation in God's plan** emerges through Simon's forced involvement, highlighting divine sovereignty working through human circumstances. Furthermore, Simon's act, though compelled, serves as a poignant, albeit ironic, echo of Jesus' own teaching on **discipleship and cross-bearing**, where He called His followers to "take up his cross and follow me" ([Matthew 16:24](/matthew/16-24 "Matthew 16:24 - Take Up Your Cross")). The mention of Simon's sons in [Mark 15:21](/mark/15-21 "Mark 15:21 - Simon's Sons, Alexander and Rufus") also hints at the theme of **unexpected transformation and the spread of the Gospel** through those touched by Christ's passion.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **compelled (Greek, _angareúō_):** This verb, of foreign (Persian) origin, describes a forced or impressed service, often by governmental authority. It signifies that Simon had no choice in the matter; he was seized and conscripted into this grim duty. This term is notably used by Jesus in the [Sermon on the Mount](/matthew/5 "Matthew 5 - The Sermon on the Mount") when He instructs His disciples to "go with him two miles" if compelled to go one, transforming a forced act into one of willing generosity. In Simon's case, it highlights the Roman authority and Jesus' extreme weakness.
* **bear (Greek, _aírō_):** This primary root means "to lift up," "to take up or away," or "to carry." While literally referring to the physical act of carrying the cross, it carries profound theological weight. In other contexts, *aírō* is used for taking away sin (as in [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), lifting up the Son of Man, or even bearing burdens. Here, it underscores the immense physical burden of the cross, which Jesus could no longer manage, and symbolically points to the greater spiritual burden of sin that He was carrying for humanity.
* **cross (Greek, _staurós_):** Derived from a word meaning "to stand upright," this term refers to a stake or post, specifically an instrument of capital punishment used by the Romans. Figuratively, it represents exposure to death, self-denial, and, most significantly, the atonement of Christ. In this context, it is the literal wooden beam, but its presence immediately evokes its ultimate symbolic meaning as the means of Jesus' sacrificial death and the central emblem of Christian faith.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And as they came out,"**: This phrase marks the transition from the Praetorium, where Jesus was condemned and mocked, to the public thoroughfare leading out of Jerusalem. Roman executions were typically conducted outside the city walls to avoid defiling the city and to serve as a public deterrent. This movement signifies the beginning of the final, public phase of Jesus' passion.
* **"they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name:"**: The Roman soldiers, likely assessing Jesus' inability to continue carrying the heavy crossbeam, actively sought out a bystander. Simon, a man from Cyrene (a city in North Africa with a significant Jewish population), was likely a pilgrim in Jerusalem for the Passover. His identification by name and origin suggests he may have become known to the early Christian community, particularly given the mention of his sons in Mark's Gospel. His presence was coincidental but divinely orchestrated.
* **"him they compelled to bear his cross."**: This is the core action of the verse. The soldiers, exercising their authority, forced Simon into service. The object of his burden is explicitly stated as "his cross," referring to Jesus' cross. This act is a stark testament to Jesus' physical exhaustion and the brutality of the Roman system. It also sets the stage for a man, initially a reluctant participant, to become intimately involved in the final moments of Christ's journey.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 27:32 employs several powerful literary devices. **Irony** is evident in the scene: Jesus, the King of Kings, is so utterly depleted that He cannot carry the very instrument of His earthly humiliation, necessitating a forced substitute. This contrasts sharply with His divine power and authority. There is also profound **Symbolism** at play; Simon's physical act of bearing the cross foreshadows the spiritual call to discipleship that Jesus Himself articulated, where followers are commanded to "take up their cross" ([Matthew 16:24](/matthew/16-24 "Matthew 16:24 - Take Up Your Cross")). While Simon's act was compelled, it visually represents the burden of suffering and self-denial inherent in following Christ. The brief mention of Simon also serves as a form of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the broader impact of the crucifixion on individuals and the eventual spread of the Gospel, as suggested by the later mention of his sons in Mark's Gospel, implying a potential conversion and subsequent prominence within the early church.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The compelled service of Simon of Cyrene is a deeply resonant moment, underscoring the extreme physical suffering of Jesus, which was so profound that He could no longer bear the crossbeam alone. This moment highlights the reality of Christ's full humanity, experiencing weakness and exhaustion, yet simultaneously fulfilling the divine purpose of bearing the world's sin. Simon's unwilling participation, paradoxically, connects him to the very heart of Jesus' teaching on discipleship—that following Christ involves a willingness to embrace suffering and sacrifice. It reminds us that God often uses unexpected individuals and circumstances to advance His sovereign plan, transforming mundane or even painful encounters into moments of profound spiritual significance.

* [Matthew 16:24](/matthew/16-24 "Matthew 16:24 - Take Up Your Cross and Follow Me")
* [Mark 15:21](/mark/15-21 "Mark 15:21 - Simon of Cyrene and His Sons")
* [Galatians 6:2](/galatians/6-2 "Galatians 6:2 - Bear One Another's Burdens")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Simon's experience on the road to Golgotha offers a powerful and multifaceted lens through which to examine our own lives and faith. While his act was compelled, it became a moment of intimate proximity to the suffering Christ, a physical enactment of what it means to share in the burdens of others, and ultimately, to follow Jesus. We are often called to bear burdens—our own, or those of others—that we did not choose, that feel heavy, or that are unwelcome. Simon's story challenges us to consider how we respond in such moments. Do we resist, or do we, like Simon, endure, trusting that even in compelled service, God can work His purposes? It invites us to reflect on the nature of true discipleship, which is not always glamorous or voluntary, but often involves sacrifice, humility, and a willingness to carry the "cross" of daily challenges in imitation of Christ, finding grace and purpose even in unexpected trials.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When have you felt "compelled" to bear a burden or engage in a service that you did not choose, and how did you respond?**
* **In what ways does Simon's experience challenge your understanding of what it means to "take up your cross" and follow Jesus?**
* **How can we find spiritual meaning or growth in difficult, unchosen circumstances, much like Simon's encounter with Christ?**

### FAQ
**Was Simon of Cyrene a believer before he was compelled to carry the cross?**

Answer: The biblical text does not explicitly state whether Simon was a believer before this event. He is identified as "a man of Cyrene," likely a Jewish pilgrim in Jerusalem for Passover. His compelled service was a result of Roman authority and Jesus' physical weakness, not necessarily a voluntary act of faith. However, the fact that Mark's Gospel mentions his sons, Alexander and Rufus ([Mark 15:21](/mark/15-21 "Mark 15:21 - Simon's Sons")), who were apparently known to the early Christian community, strongly suggests that Simon and his family may have become followers of Christ as a result of this profound encounter. While he was initially an unwilling participant, his proximity to Christ's suffering likely led to a deep spiritual transformation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Simon of Cyrene physically bore the crossbeam for a short distance, his compelled act serves as a poignant shadow of the ultimate burden-bearing accomplished by Christ Himself. Jesus, the sinless Son of God, willingly carried the immeasurable weight of humanity's sin and the wrath of God on the cross, a burden infinitely heavier than any wooden beam. Simon's struggle highlights Jesus' profound physical suffering, but it is Christ alone who bore the spiritual burden, becoming sin for us ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")) and enduring the full penalty for our transgressions ([Isaiah 53:4-6](/isaiah/53-4-6 "Isaiah 53:4-6 - He Bore Our Griefs and Carried Our Sorrows")). Simon carried *His* cross, but Jesus carried *our* cross—the cross of our guilt, shame, and condemnation. This act of divine substitution, where the innocent Lamb of God took away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), is the heart of the Gospel. Thus, Simon's brief, unwilling service points us to the glorious, willing, and all-sufficient sacrifice of Jesus, who, through His suffering on the cross, secured our redemption and offers us true freedom and eternal life ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Own Love")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Mark 15:21

And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.

Luke 23:26

¶ And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear [it] after Jesus.

Matthew 16:24

¶ Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Acts 2:10

Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,

Acts 6:9

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.

Acts 11:20

And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.

Acts 13:1

¶ Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.