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Mentioned in the Bible by name
Simon (of Cyrene)

Time-period: ❼ Jesus - (0-100 e.Kr.)
Age: -



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Usage in the Bible


Simeon H8095
שִׁמְעוֹן (Shimon)
44 times in OT
Simon G4613
Σίμων (Simon)
75 times in NT
Total    119 times

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References (3)

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Matt 27:32
  Interlinear
On the way out [to Golgotha], they happened to meet a man from Cyrene named Simon, whom they forced to carry Jesus' cross.
[The vertical pole was permanently attached to the place of execution, which was often located on a hill just outside the city. The condemned man had to carry the crossbeam, which weighed 90-110 punds (40-50 kg), there himself. According to Roman law, government employees could force anyone to carry their luggage and equipment for one Roman mile (0,92 miles; 1,5 km), see Matt. 5:41. Simon was born in the city of Cyrene in North Africa. Since he is named (along with his sons Alexander and Rufus, see Mark 15:21; Rom. 16:13), he was probably a follower of Jesus when the Gospels were written.]
Mark 15:21
  Interlinear
Simon from Cyrene [a city in North Africa], the father of Alexander and Rufus, was on his way in [to Jerusalem] from the country (the fields). They forced him [according to Roman law] to carry Jesus' cross [crossbeam].
[Simon is a typical Jewish name, which suggests that he was a jew who had come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. The expression that he came from the country, Gk. agros, has sometimes been interpreted as meaning that he worked in the fields. However, this is unlikely. According to Jewish Sabbath laws, it was forbidden to even inspect the fields on the Sabbath. The event also takes place before nine in the morning, long before the end of the working day, see verse 25. The same expression is used about the travelers to Emmaus to describe that they had left the city and were "on their way out to the country," see Mark 16:12.
The fact that Simon's sons are mentioned by name is probably because they are known to the readers of the Gospel of Mark. In the Epistle to the Romans, Paul sends special greetings to Rufus and his mother, see Rom. 16:13. If it is the same Rufus, Simon's family later belonged to the congregation in Rom.]
Luke 23:26
  Interlinear
As they led Jesus away [toward Golgotha], they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in [to Jerusalem] from the country. They put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.
[According to Roman law, government officials could force anyone to carry their luggage and equipment for a Roman mile (1.5 km), see Matt. 5:41. Simon was born in the city of Cyrene in North Africa. Since he is named (along with his sons Alexander and Rufus, see Mark 15:21; Rom. 16:13), he was probably a follower of Jesus when the Gospels were written.]