Luk 23:26 | JFB | STEP | 26. Cyrenian-- of Cyrene, in Libya, on the north coast of Africa, where were many Jews who had a synagogue at Jerusalem ( , and see ). He was "the father of Alexander and Rufus" ( ), probably better known afterwards than himself, as disciples. (See ). out of the country-- and casually drawn into that part of the crowd. laid the cross-- "Him they compel to bear His cross," ( )--sweet compulsion, if it issued in him or his sons voluntarily "taking up their cross!" It would appear that our Lord had first to bear His own cross ( ), but being from exhaustion unable to proceed, it was laid on another to bear it "after Him."

‏ Luke 23:26

26. Cyrenian--of Cyrene, in Libya, on the north coast of Africa, where were many Jews who had a synagogue at Jerusalem (Ac 6:9, and see Ac 2:10). He was "the father of Alexander and Rufus" (Mr 15:21), probably better known afterwards than himself, as disciples. (See Ro 16:13).

out of the country--and casually drawn into that part of the crowd.

laid the cross--"Him they compel to bear His cross," (Mt 27:32)--sweet compulsion, if it issued in him or his sons voluntarily "taking up their cross!" It would appear that our Lord had first to bear His own cross (Joh 19:17), but being from exhaustion unable to proceed, it was laid on another to bear it "after Him."