Who helped Jesus carry the cross?
As a result, the Roman soldiers forced another man to help Jesus carry the cross. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all identify the man who helped Jesus carry the cross as Simon, a man from Cyrene(Matthew 27:32; Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26).
What are some biblical references to Jesus carrying the cross?
Biblical references. Only John specifically says Jesus carried his cross, and all but John include Simon of Cyrene, who was recruited by the soldiers from the crowd to carry or help carry the cross. Modern scholars, following descriptions of criminals carrying crossbars by Plautus and Plutarch, often take the Gospel description as meaning Jesus,...
What did Jesus carry when he was crucified?
After being ruthlessly tortured by the Romans, Jesus was forced to carry His cross to the place where He would be crucified. At first, Jesus carried His own cross ( John 19:17 ).
Did Simon really carry the cross behind Jesus?
Second, Luke is the only one of the Gospels that says Simon carried the cross behind Jesus. All the other Gospels that mention this just say he carried it. Does Luke want us to remember Luke 9:23, where he said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me”?
What Do We Know about Simon of Cyrene?
Simon means “hearer” or “he has heard”, and must have had an especially strong meaning for these men in particular, who had literally heard the good news of Jesus, and been so intimately a part of that good news. We also know that Simon was from a place called Cyrene, so why was he in Jerusalem ?
What was the Roman punishment for crucifixion?
Roman crucifixion in itself was not unusual but was a common practice of the Romans as a form of capital punishment and intimidation. Crucifixion was considered too horrible a punishment for Roman citizens, as it was a miserable, humiliating, painful form of death. In fact, our word ex cruc iating is derived from the Roman word for crucifixion – crucis. The Romans reinforced their grip on power through such horrible techniques. Likewise, the actual path Jesus walked, known as the Via Dolorosa, and the hill where the crucifixion took place, known as Calvary (Latin) or Golgotha (Greek), were most likely familiar places for this kind of scene.
What did Jesus do when he took back the cross?
When Jesus took back the cross and gave his life upon it, Jesus carried the weight of all our sins. It is unlikely that Simon ever imagined that this forced act of service would be discussed and admired over 2,000 years later.
Why did Simon carry the cross?
On occasion, a person would be asked to walk ‘an extra mile’ in service to the Romans. This is likely the scenario that led Simon to carry the cross for Jesus. We don’t know why Simon specifically was selected for this task, other than the fact that he was there, he looked capable, and it was clear Jesus had become too weak to carry the cross on his own.
What did Simon do to Jesus?
Simon’s actions seemed to mirror the words Jesus had spoken to his disciples in Matthew 16:24: ‘ Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me ’ . In the same way, we are called to change directions, ‘take up our cross’ and ‘follow Jesus’.
How long was the road Jesus walked on?
The journey would have encompassed about a half-mile of winding road, and it on this road that Simon encounters Jesus, and becomes a part of the story.
Where in the Bible is Simon of Cyrene mentioned?
Simon of Cyrene has just a passing mention in the Scriptures; his name appears in only three verses, all pertaining to carrying the cross for Jesus. This event is recorded in Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21, and in Luke 23:26. While this is the only time he is mentioned in the Bible, it is important enough that he is mentioned by three of the four Gospel writers.
What Does the Bible Say about the Carrying of Jesus’ Cross?
The Bible account of this appears in the Books of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, known as the Synoptic Gospels.
Who Is Simon of Cyrene?
The Bible doesn’t tell us much about the man, but we do know Cyrene was a coastal city located in northern Africa in eastern Libya. Simon’s sons Alexander and Rufus were clearly known by those reading Mark’s text, given their mention.
What does the Bible say about the positioning of the men?
Third, the positioning of the men is significant and also points to discipleship. The Bible tells us Simon of Cyrene walked behind the Christ carrying the cross ( Luke 23:26 ). We, too, are to walk along in life, sometimes in very difficult situations, keeping our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ahead of us as our model and our leader as we shoulder our cross.
What did Jesus do before the walk along the Via Dolorosa?
Prior to the walk along the Via Dolorosa--or “way of sorrows,” a winding route of several streets from Jerusalem to Golgotha--Scripture tells us Jesus was beaten with fists, flogged, crowned with thorns, and struck repeatedly in the head with a staff ( Mark 14:65; Mark 15:15, 19, Matthew 26:67; Matthew 27:29 ).
What is the cross for Christians?
As Christians, it’s heartening to know the cross is more than a place where Jesus died. It’s a place of transformation, where Christ conquered sin and darkness, sacrificing His life so that each one of us who follows Him might have eternal life.
Why did Jesus need help?
Many scholars believe Jesus “needed” help not for Himself, because of any weakness , but rather for other reasons. Someone needed to serve as a walking symbol, a literal cross-bearer, in this dark moment.
Why do we bear the cross for Jesus?
Therefore, we bear the cross for him and share the gospel because he told us to do so.
What did Jesus say to the crowds and to his disciples?
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, so practice and observe whatever they tell you —but not what they do. For they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, ...
What did Amos say about the earthquake?
And he said: “The Lordroars from Zion and utters his voice from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds mourn, and the top of Carmel withers.” Thus says the Lord: “For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they have threshed Gilead with threshing sledges of iron. So I will send a fire upon the house of Hazael, and it shall devour the strongholds of Ben-hadad. I will break the gate-bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitants from the Valley of Aven, and him who holds the scepter from Beth-eden; and the people of Syria shall go into exile to Kir,” says the Lord. ...
What did Moses bring to the Tabernacle?
On the day when Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle and had anointed and consecrated it with all its furnishings and had anointed and consecrated the altar with all its utensils, the chiefs of Israel, heads of their fathers' houses, who were the chiefs of the tribes, who were over those who were listed, approached and brought their offerings before the Lord, six wagons and twelve oxen, a wagon for every two of the chiefs, and for each one an ox. They brought them before the tabernacle. Then the Lordsaid to Moses, “Accept these from them, that they may be used in the service of the tent of meeting, and give them to the Levites, to each man according to his service.” ...
Who brought the silver to Pilate?
And they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate the governor. Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. ...
Who said "I find no guilt in this man"?
Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no guilt in this man.” But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.” ...
Who lays down his life for the sheep?
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Who was the father of Alexander and Rufus?
And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.
What is the cross of Jesus behind the three?
The three carrying the Cross of Jesus behind them is a beautiful but painful illustration of our calling as disciples. It is what Luke 9 wethered Luke wanted us to see, for the call to suffering for Jesus is often unexpected and expensive.
Why did Simon help Jesus?
Four Simon’s assistance was both temporary relief and added suffering as it allowed Jesus to cross the Cross and endure the terrible experience of crucifixion. Five We know that Jesus cried to his Heavenly Father in Gethsemane asking for help. He wanted help so that he would obey. (Who Helped Jesus Carry The Cross)
Why does Simon think he is going to be disallowed from celebrating Passover?
So to think about this, Simon has traveled all this way to get to Jerusalem, to celebrate the Passover, and he thinks because I’m bout to do this, not only have to carry this heavy Cross, help share in the burden of Jesus but I’m gonna be disallowed from celebrating the Passover.
Why do we look at the stations across?
That’s why we look at the stations across because we are called to be like Simon, to carry His Cross, to enter into the story that our lives might be changed forever, that Jesus’ blood might stain us. That our lives would look different. So I just invite you to enter more deeply to the Cross.
Who helped Jesus carry the cross?
In the fifth station, we see Simon of Cyrene, and he’s forced to helped Jesus carry the Cross. And first, we might think that Simon plays this really relatively minor role in the crucifixion, in the story of the Cross, but I think for each of us, we Can see ourselves in Simon.
Did Jesus ask someone else to carry his cross?
Most people assume that Jesus demanded someone else carry his Cross. But, many don’t realize whether the soldiers who decided to send Simon to help were acting out of compassion. Or cruelty or just expediency. I’m referring to the fact that he couldn’t carry his Cross; somebody had to.
Who thinks that because Christ's blood covers him, he's not gonna be able to celebrate?
And so Jesus has this encounter where Simon of Cyrene, Simon who thinks because Christ’s blood covers him, he’s not gonna be able to celebrate the Passover.
What was the influence of the Passion plays in the Middle Ages?
In the later Middle Ages, probably influenced by Passion plays, a large crowd of figures may surround Jesus, displaying a great variety of feelings, from contempt to grief. This development culminates in the large landscape of Pieter Bruegel the Elder 's Procession to Calvary (Vienna).
What are the sentences in Pilate?
Pilate sentences Christ. Jesus is given His cross. Jesus falls the first time. Jesus meets His Mother. Simon of Cyrene carries the cross. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus. Jesus falls the second time. Jesus meets the daughters of Jerusalem. Jesus falls the third time.
What is the parallel to Isaac carrying wood?
In medieval typology, Isaac carrying wood up the mountain for his sacrifice is the most common parallel for the episode, and often shown as a complementary scene; this scene is "Isaac Bearing the Faggots" (or "wood") in traditional art history terminology.
What is the cluster of halos at the left of the Gospels?
The cluster of halos at the left are the Virgin Mary in front , with the Three Marys. Christ Carrying the Cross on his way to his crucifixion is an episode included in all four Gospels, and a very common subject in art, especially in the fourteen Stations of the Cross, sets of which are now found in almost all Catholic churches.
When did the swoon of the Virgin become a subject?
From around 1500, the subject became used for single piece altarpieces in Italy, usually showing either the meeting with Veronica or the Swoon of the Virgin or spasimo, when the Virgin swoons, faints, or at least falls to her knees, both fairly recent and rather controversial introductions, without scriptural authority.
When was the first devotional image of Jesus?
An early example of a type of devotional image showing Jesus alone is a small panel by Barna da Siena of 1330-1350 in the Frick Collection. These continued through the Renaissance and Baroque period, with a "close-up" half length composition first appearing in Northern Italy around 1490.
Where is the fully elaborated traditional account of the episode?
The fully elaborated traditional account of the episode is demonstrated in the Stations of the Cross, where it is divided into a number of incidents, which between them account for most sculptural depictions:
Who carried the cross beam to the place of crucifixion?
The accused would carry the cross beam to the place of crucifixion. Jesus started to carry it but simply couldn’t bear it very far after all the physical trauma He had just gone through. He collapsed. That is when the Romans drafted Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross the rest of the way.
Who was the man of Cyrene in Matthew 27?
Actually, both did. Simon of Cyrene. Matthew 27:31-32, “And after they had mocked Him, they took His robe off and put His garments on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him. 32 And as they were coming out, they found a man of Cyrene named Simon, whom they pressed into service to bear His cross.”.
Did Jesus carry the cross alone?
John 19:17 does not say that Jesus carried the cross alone. It says he bore his own cross. He carried the cross until he couldn’t carry any more than Simon assisted. A contradiction occurs when one statement makes another statement impossible but both are supposed to be true. There is no contradiction.
Did Jesus have a physical trauma?
Jesus had undergone a very physically traumatic few hours. Please consider the following verses placed in order of His ordeal and pay attention to the physical trauma he received before He ever arrived at the cross.
Why did Simon help Jesus?
Simon’s help proved to be both a relief temporarily, but also added suffering because it sustained Jesus to get to the cross and have the horrible experience of crucifixion for us. We know that when Jesus cried out to his heavenly Father in Gethsemane, he was given help.
What does Luke say about Simon carrying the cross?
Luke might say, “Let it be noted that a foreigner served Jesus in his final hour — indeed, an African.”. That’s suggestion number one. 2. Pick Up Your Cross. Second, Luke is the only one of the Gospels that says Simon carried the cross behind Jesus. All the other Gospels that mention this just say he carried it.
What does Matthew Henry mean by "we've got to get nails through his hands and nails through his feet"?
Or — this is what I had not realized — Matthew Henry suggests it may be that they saw Jesus was about to die under the burden and they were so bloodthirsty or fearful of punishment from Pilate that they wanted to make sure he survived for the remaining torture. In other words, just the opposite of compassion: “We’ve got to get nails through his hands and nails through his feet. We can’t let this man just die here of exhaustion under his cross.”
Why was Jesus heard?
In Hebrews 5:7 it says, “Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. ”. “The call to suffer for Jesus is often sudden and costly and seemingly random.”. He was heard because of his reverence, his godly fear.
Is Good Friday a joyful day?
Happy Good Friday — or so we call it. It is a joyful day, even if it is the most solemn day in the church calendar. We talked about reckoning the repulsion and the delight of the cross last time. Today we talk about one of the little stories of the crucifixion narrative, Pastor John, specifically the figure of Simon of Cyrene.
Was Simon a real person?
Simon was a real historical person, and he was there at a real historical moment. He was a foreigner, an African, who served Jesus in his final hour. Carrying the cross behind Jesus is a beautiful and painful picture of our calling as disciples, according to Luke 9. Whether Luke intended us to see that or not, it’s true.
Was Simon a Gentile?
We don’t know if he was Jewish or Gentile because the name Simon was common for Greeks and Jews. We don’t know if he was visiting Jerusalem or lived there, but what we know is that the Gospels draw attention to the fact that this man’s got a foreign origin. He’s an African.
What does Jesus say about the cross?
He said to them, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). In Jesus’ day, a cross wasn’t just a symbol of pain and suffering; it was mainly a symbol of death. What Jesus was telling them is that they needed to put to death their own plans and desires, ...
What does it mean to carry a cross?
In Jesus’ day, a cross was a symbol of suffering, and we all have trials and afflictions that may be very hard for us to bear—even with God’s help. But Jesus meant something far deeper than this when He told His disciples to carry their cross. He said to them, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily ...
What does Jesus say about us?
You see, Jesus doesn’t simply call us to believe that He existed, or even to believe that He can save us. He calls on us to commit our whole lives to Him—to trust Him alone for our salvation, and then to follow Him as His disciples. He said, “Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27).
The Story of The Man Who Helped Jesus Carry The Cross
What Do We Know About Simon of Cyrene?
- We can learn a bit about Simon just by his name. The name ‘Simon’ was a common name at the time and is a name shared with several others in the New Testament, most notably the Apostle Simon Peter. Simon means “hearer” or “he has heard”, and must have had an especially strong meaning for these men in particular, who had literally heard the good news of Jesus, and been s…
Is There Anything Unusual About Jesus' Path to The Crucifixion?
- Roman crucifixion in itself was not unusual but was a common practice of the Romans as a form of capital punishment and intimidation. Crucifixion was considered too horrible a punishment for Roman citizens, as it was a miserable, humiliating, painful form of death. In fact, our word excruciating is derived from the Roman word for crucifixion – crucis.The Romans reinforced thei…
What Should Christians Take Away from The Story of Jesus and Simon?
- As we read the account of Simon of Cyrene today, we see a man who was quite literally thrust into the very heart of the gospel story. It must have been a frightening moment: to be pulled from the crowd by hated Roman soldiers and told to bear the cross of a condemned man. Simon felt the weight of it upon his back and walked away with the blood of Christ still upon him, the blood t…
What Does The Bible Say About The Carrying of Jesus’ Cross?
- The Bible account of this appears in the Books of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, known as the Synoptic Gospels. 1. Matthew’s version is the briefest, simply telling readers, “As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross” (Matthew 27:32). 2. Mark’s gospel account notes, “A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexan…
Who Is Simon of Cyrene?
- The Bible doesn’t tell us much about the man, but we do know Cyrene was a coastal city located in northern Africa in eastern Libya. Simon’s sons Alexander and Rufus were clearly known by those reading Mark’s text, given their mention. A Rufus is mentioned later, in Romans 16:13, and his mother is credited as being like a mother to the author of that book, though we don’t know fo…
Why Did Jesus Need Help with The Cross?
- We don’t know if Jesus needed help, only that the soldiers forced Simon to help him. But scholars speculate that after the beating Jesus received, He would have been in poor condition to carry something that heavy all that way, at least from a human being’s perspective. Historians reveal that most of the time, the condemned were forced to carry the...
What Did Simon of Cyrene symbolize?
- First, Simon is of Cyrene, meaning he is a foreigner. Whether he is or is not a Jew, he is from someplace other than this region, and therefore his very being brings “the other” onto the scene. Very quickly after the church started, the Holy Spirit made the apostles understand their message was not just for Israel but for all people--Jews, Gentiles, and beyond. Second, Simon physically …
Who Helped Jesus Carry The Cross
Significance of Simon Carrying Jesus’s Cross
Two Suggestion
Three Suggestion
Four Suggestion
- Most people assume that Jesus demanded someone else carry his Cross. But, many don’t realize whether the soldiers who decided to send Simon to help were acting out of compassion. Or cruelty or just expediency. I’m referring to the fact that he couldn’t carry his Cross; somebody had to. If they don’t, somebody’s going to be ticked right.
Five Suggestions
Summery