Luke 23:26
New International Version
As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.

New Living Translation
As they led Jesus away, a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, happened to be coming in from the countryside. The soldiers seized him and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.

English Standard Version
And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

Berean Literal Bible
And as they led Him away, having laid hold on Simon, a certain man of Cyrene coming from the country, they put upon him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus.

New American Standard Bible
And when they led Him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, as he was coming in from the country, and placed on him the cross to carry behind Jesus.

NASB 1995
When they led Him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, coming in from the country, and placed on him the cross to carry behind Jesus.

NASB 1977
And when they led Him away, they laid hold of one Simon of Cyrene, coming in from the country, and placed on him the cross to carry behind Jesus.

Legacy Standard Bible
And when they led Him away, they took hold of a man, Simon of Cyrene, coming in from the country, and placed on him the cross to carry behind Jesus.

Amplified Bible
When they led Him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in [to the city] from the country, and placed on him the cross to carry behind Jesus.

Christian Standard Bible
As they led him away, they seized Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, and laid the cross on him to carry behind Jesus.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
As they led Him away, they seized Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country, and laid the cross on him to carry behind Jesus.

American Standard Version
And when they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and laid on him the cross, to bear it after Jesus.

Contemporary English Version
As Jesus was being led away, some soldiers grabbed hold of a man named Simon who was from Cyrene. He was coming in from the fields, but they put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.

English Revised Version
And when they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and laid on him the cross, to bear it after Jesus.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
As the soldiers led Jesus away, they grabbed a man named Simon, who was from the city of Cyrene. Simon was coming into Jerusalem. They laid the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.

Good News Translation
The soldiers led Jesus away, and as they were going, they met a man from Cyrene named Simon who was coming into the city from the country. They seized him, put the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus.

International Standard Version
As they led Jesus away, they grabbed Simon, a man from Cyrene, as he was coming in from the country, and they put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.

Majority Standard Bible
As the soldiers led Him away, they seized Simon of Cyrene on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him to carry behind Jesus.

NET Bible
As they led him away, they seized Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country. They placed the cross on his back and made him carry it behind Jesus.

New Heart English Bible
When they led him away, they grabbed one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and placed on him the cross, to carry it after Jesus.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

Weymouth New Testament
As soon as they led Him away, they laid hold on one Simon, a Cyrenaean, who was coming in from the country, and on his shoulders they put the cross, for him to carry it behind Jesus.

World English Bible
When they led him away, they grabbed one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and laid the cross on him to carry it after Jesus.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And as they led Him away, having taken hold on Simon, a certain Cyrenian, coming from the field, they put the cross on him to carry [it] behind Jesus.

Berean Literal Bible
And as they led Him away, having laid hold on Simon, a certain man of Cyrene coming from the country, they put upon him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus.

Young's Literal Translation
And as they led him away, having taken hold on Simon, a certain Cyrenian, coming from the field, they put on him the cross, to bear it behind Jesus.

Smith's Literal Translation
And as they led him away, seizing upon Simon, a certain Cyrenian, coming from the field, they laid the cross upon him, to carry after Jesus.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And as they led him away, they laid hold of one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country; and they laid the cross on him to carry after Jesus.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And as they were leading him away, they apprehended a certain one, Simon of Cyrene, as he was returning from the countryside. And they imposed the cross on him to carry after Jesus.

New American Bible
As they led him away they took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country; and after laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus.

New Revised Standard Version
As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And while they took him away, they laid hold of Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming from the field, and they placed the end of the cross on him, to carry it with Jesus.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And as they brought him, they seized Shimeon a Cyrenian who came from a village and they laid upon him the cross to carry after Yeshua.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And as they led him away, they laid hold of Simon, a certain Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might carry it after Jesus.

Godbey New Testament
And when they were leading Him away, taking a certain Simon, a Cyrenean, coming from the country, they placed the cross on him, to carry it after Jesus.

Haweis New Testament
And as they led him out, laying hold on one Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, they laid on him the cross, to carry after Jesus.

Mace New Testament
As they were conducting him to execution, they seiz'd upon one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming to town, and oblig'd him to carry the cross after Jesus,

Weymouth New Testament
As soon as they led Him away, they laid hold on one Simon, a Cyrenaean, who was coming in from the country, and on his shoulders they put the cross, for him to carry it behind Jesus.

Worrell New Testament
And, when they led Him away, laying hold of one Simon a Cyrenian, coming from the country, they laid on him the cross, to bear it after Jesus.

Worsley New Testament
And when they led Him away, they laid hold on one Simon a Cyrenean coming out of the country, and put the cross on him to bear it behind Jesus.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Crucifixion
25As they had requested, he released the one imprisoned for insurrection and murder, and handed Jesus over to their will. 26 As the soldiers led Him away, they seized Simon of Cyrene on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him to carry behind Jesus. 27A great number of people followed Him, including women who kept mourning and wailing for Him.…

Cross References
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.

John 19:17
Carrying His own cross, He went out to The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha.

Acts 8:32-33
The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is silent, so He did not open His mouth. / In His humiliation He was deprived of justice. Who can recount His descendants? For His life was removed from the earth.”

Isaiah 53:7
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.

Isaiah 53:12
Therefore I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the spoils with the strong, because He has poured out His life unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors. Yet He bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.

1 Peter 2:24
He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.”

Galatians 6:2
Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Romans 5:8
But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Hebrews 13:12-13
And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate, to sanctify the people by His own blood. / Therefore let us go to Him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace He bore.

2 Corinthians 5:21
God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

Philippians 2:8
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.

John 19:16-18
Then Pilate handed Jesus over to be crucified, and the soldiers took Him away. / Carrying His own cross, He went out to The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. / There they crucified Him, and with Him two others, one on each side, with Jesus in the middle.

Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.

Mark 8:34
Then Jesus called the crowd to Him along with His disciples, and He told them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.


Treasury of Scripture

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

they laid.

Matthew 27:32
And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.

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.

John 19:16
Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.

a Cyrenian.

Acts 2:10
Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,

Acts 6:6,9
Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them…

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.

that.

Luke 9:23
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Luke 14:27
And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

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Luke 23
1. Jesus is accused before Pilate, and sent to Herod.
8. Herod mocks him.
12. Herod and Pilate become friends.
13. Barabbas is desired of the people,
24. and is released by Pilate, and Jesus is given to be crucified.
26. He tells the women, that lament him, the destruction of Jerusalem;
34. prays for his enemies.
39. Two criminals are crucified with him.
46. His death.
50. His burial.














As they led Him away
This phrase marks the beginning of the journey to the crucifixion site, Golgotha. The Greek word for "led" (ἤγαγον) implies a forceful action, indicating that Jesus was being taken against His will, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 53:7, where the Messiah is described as being led like a lamb to the slaughter. Historically, Roman crucifixions were public spectacles meant to serve as a deterrent, and the condemned were often paraded through the streets to maximize humiliation and public exposure.

they seized Simon of Cyrene
Simon, a man from Cyrene, a city in modern-day Libya, was likely in Jerusalem for the Passover festival. The Greek word for "seized" (ἐπιλαβόμενοι) suggests a sudden and forceful action, indicating that Simon was compelled into service. This reflects Roman authority and the practice of conscripting bystanders to carry out tasks for the state. Simon's involvement, though seemingly random, is significant in that it symbolizes the call to discipleship—bearing the cross of Christ.

who was on his way in from the country
This detail provides a glimpse into Simon's situation. He was not a resident of Jerusalem but was coming in from the countryside, possibly unaware of the events unfolding. This underscores the unexpected nature of his encounter with Jesus. Theologically, it suggests that God can call anyone, at any time, to participate in His divine plan, often when least expected.

and put the cross on him
The act of placing the cross on Simon indicates that Jesus, weakened by the scourging and abuse, was unable to carry it Himself. The cross, a symbol of suffering and shame, becomes a shared burden. In a broader spiritual sense, this act foreshadows the call to all believers to take up their cross and follow Christ (Matthew 16:24). It is a reminder of the cost of discipleship and the call to share in Christ's sufferings.

to carry it behind Jesus
Simon carrying the cross "behind Jesus" is rich in symbolic meaning. The Greek word for "behind" (ὀπίσω) can also mean "after" or "following," which aligns with the call to follow Christ. This imagery of following Jesus with the cross is a powerful representation of the Christian journey—walking in the footsteps of the Savior, bearing the burdens of life, and participating in His redemptive work. Historically, this act of following would have been a public declaration, as Simon walked the path of suffering with Christ, witnessed by many.

Verses 26-32. - On the way to Calvary. Simon the Cyrenian. The daughters of Jerusalem. Verse 26. - And as they led him away. Plutarch tells us that every criminal condemned to crucifixion carried his own cross. There was borne in front of him, or else hung round his own neck, a white tablet, on which the crime for which he suffered was inscribed. Possibly this was what was afterwards affixed to the cross itself. Simon, a Cyrenian. Cyrene was an important city in North Africa, with a large colony of resident Jews. These Cyrenian Jews had a synagogue of their own in Jerusalem. It is probable that Simon was a Passover pilgrim. St. Mark tells us he was the father of "Alexander and Rufus;" evidently, from his mention of them, these were notable persons in the early Christian Church. Very likely their connection with the followers of Jesus dated from this incident on the road to Calvary. Coming out of the country. He was probably one of the pilgrims lodged in a village near Jerusalem, and met the sad procession as he was entering the city on his way to the temple. On him they laid the cross. Our Lord was weakened by the trouble and agitation of the past sleepless night, and was, of course, faint and utterly exhausted from the effects of the terrible scourging. The cross used for this mode of execution was (1)either the Cruz decussata X, what is usually known as St. Andrew's cross; or

(2) the Cruz commissa T, St. Anthony's cross; or

(3) the ordinary Roman cross , Cruz immissa. Our Lord suffered on the third description, the Roman cross. This consisted of two pieces, the one perpendicular (staticulum), the other horizontal (antenna). About the middle of the first was fastened a piece of wood (sedile), on which the condemned rested. This was necessary, else, during the long torture, the weight of the body would have torn the hands, and the body would have fallen. The cross was not very high, scarcely twice the height of an ordinary man. Strong nails were driven through the hands and feet. The victim usually lived about twelve hours, sometimes much longer. The agonies endured by the crucified have been thus summarized: "The fever which soon set in produced a burning thirst. The increasing inflammation of the wounds in the back, hands, and feet; the congestion of the blood in the head, lungs, and heart; the swelling of every vein, an indescribable oppression, racking pains in the head; the stiffness of the limbs, caused by the unnatural position of the body; - these all united to make the punishment, in the language of Cicero ('In Verr.,' 5:64), crudelissimum teterrimumque supplicium. From the beginning Jesus had foreseen that such would be the end of his life."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
As
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

[the soldiers] led Him away,
ἀπήγαγον (apēgagon)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 520: To lead, carry, take away; met: To be led astray, seduced. From apo and ago; to take off.

they seized
ἐπιλαβόμενοι (epilabomenoi)
Verb - Aorist Participle Middle - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1949: To lay hold of, take hold of, seize (sometimes with beneficent, sometimes with hostile, intent).

Simon
Σίμωνά (Simōna)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4613: Simon. Of Hebrew origin; Simon, the name of nine Israelites.

of Cyrene
Κυρηναῖον (Kyrēnaion)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2956: Belonging to Cyrene, a Cyrenaean. From Kurene; i.e. Cyrenaean, i.e. Inhabitant of Cyrene.

on his way in
ἐρχόμενον (erchomenon)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2064: To come, go.

from
ἀπ’ (ap’)
Preposition
Strong's 575: From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.

the country,
ἀγροῦ (agrou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 68: From ago; a field; genitive case, the country; specially, a farm, i.e. Hamlet.

[and] put
ἐπέθηκαν (epethēkan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2007: To put, place upon, lay on; I add, give in addition. From epi and tithemi; to impose.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

cross
σταυρὸν (stauron)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4716: A cross.

on him
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

to carry
φέρειν (pherein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 5342: To carry, bear, bring; I conduct, lead; perhaps: I make publicly known. A primary verb.

behind
ὄπισθεν (opisthen)
Preposition
Strong's 3693: From behind, after. From opis with enclitic of source; from the rear, i.e. At the back.

Jesus.
Ἰησοῦ (Iēsou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.


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NT Gospels: Luke 23:26 When they led him away they grabbed (Luke Lu Lk)
Luke 23:25
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