The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is one of the most well-known events in history. As Jesus carried the cross on which He would be crucified, the Bible gives some indication of who may have helped Him bear the burden. Though the Gospel accounts do not provide many details, some conclusions can be drawn about who likely offered aid to Jesus on His walk to Calvary.
Simon of Cyrene
The Gospel of Mark provides the clearest indication of who helped Jesus carry the cross. Mark 15:21 states, “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.” Simon was apparently selected at random by the Roman soldiers to carry Jesus’ cross. The other Synoptic Gospels, Matthew and Luke, also record this event (Matthew 27:32, Luke 23:26).
Simon came from Cyrene, located in northern Africa in modern-day Libya. He had two sons named Alexander and Rufus, who were likely known to Mark’s audience at the time. Beyond those details, little more is known about Simon from Cyrene. But his act of carrying the cross of Jesus is noteworthy and demonstrates how God can use anyone in a moment to glorify Christ.
The Choice of Simon
Why did the Roman soldiers choose Simon of Cyrene to carry Jesus’ cross? Most likely because Jesus had been severely beaten and tortured and was physically depleted. Carrying the heavy wooden crossbeam would have been exhausting for Jesus in His weakened state.
In their mocking of Jesus, the soldiers may have wanted Him to walk farther carrying the cross before finally collapsing. But it became clear that Jesus was not physically capable of finishing the journey. So the soldiers pressed Simon into service to keep the crucifixion procession moving.
Though Simon was an unwilling participant, he played a vital role in bearing the cross for the Savior. His assistance allowed Jesus to conserve strength and focus on the fulfillment of His mission on the cross.
Jesus Bore His Cross Initially
The Gospel of John provides additional insight that Jesus Himself carried the cross for some distance before Simon was compelled to help. John 19:17 states, “and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha.”
Jesus initially carried the patibulum, or crossbeam, Himself after being condemned to death. He likely carried it from Pilate’s palace to outside the city gates, where the upright portion was already standing. This was meant to be part of His humiliation, forced to publicly carry the instrument of His own execution.
But Jesus could only bear the heavy weight of the cross for so long in His human body which had endured beatings and floggings. Simon was brought in to help when Jesus physically stumbled. But Jesus bore the cross initially, setting an example of humility, sacrifice and obedience.
An Act of Cruel Mockery
In addition, the act of compelling Simon to carry the cross could be seen as the soldiers mocking Jesus and His claim to be the Messiah. Part of the inscription placed above Jesus on the cross read, “The King of the Jews” (Luke 23:38). Forcing someone else to carry the cross could have been one more opportunistic act of cruelty and derision.
As the Son of God, Jesus had the power and authority to carry out His own crucifixion. But He willingly laid down His rights and privileges as God to complete the task the Father gave Him (Philippians 2:5-8). Jesus submitted to the Father’s will even when it meant allowing Himself to be mistreated and mocked by sinful men.
Simon’s carrying of the cross fulfilled prophecy (Isaiah 53:4) and pointed to the fact that Jesus took on Himself the sins of the world. He humbly accepted aid on the road to Golgotha in order to fulfill God’s redemptive plan.
The Cross Was Heavy
The cross that Jesus bore was no small load. The patibulum or crossbeam likely weighed anywhere from 80 to 110 pounds. The shape of the beam necessitated carrying it across the shoulders, an awkward position that quickly put strain on the upper body. In addition, the beam had to be carried through the uneven streets of Jerusalem, requiring balance and coordination.
Jesus had been brutally scourged, leaving His skin flayed and muscles exposed. The massive blood loss from His flogging coupled with the weight of the cross was simply too much for Jesus’ human body to bear. Hence the Roman soldiers recognized the need for Simon’s assistance in carrying the cross the rest of the way.
Others May Have Helped
While Simon of Cyrene is the only individual specifically named as helping Jesus carry the cross, the Gospel writers use plural pronouns in some passages that could indicate other people also took turns bearing the burden.
Mark 15:21 says the soldiers compelled Simon to carry “his cross.” Luke 23:26 states, “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.” The use of “they” and “him” implies multiple people involved, more than just Simon.
However, only Simon’s name is recorded. This suggests he bore the primary responsibility of carrying the cross after Jesus was unable to continue. But given the use of plurals by the Gospel writers, it is reasonable to propose that Simon was not alone in providing aid along the Via Dolorosa. Roman soldiers and others may have taken turns bearing the weight of the crossbeam. But the Scriptures only record the name of Simon.
The Cross Was Christ’s Alone
While Simon and perhaps others carried the cross for Jesus during the walk to Golgotha, ultimately Christ carried the burden alone. The physical cross was laid upon Him as He was nailed to it. And the spiritual weight of the cross – the sins of the world – only Jesus could bear (1 Peter 2:24).
Hebrews 12:2 describes Jesus as the author and perfecter of our faith who “endured the cross, despising the shame.” Though bystanders were compelled to carry the wooden crossbeam, the full weight of the cross was Christ’s alone to bear. No one else could atone for the sins of the world. Jesus willingly took up both the physical and spiritual burden of the cross.
Simon Played An Important Role
Though his role was likely unwilling and small in terms of recorded biblical detail, Simon of Cyrene played an important part in the Passion narrative. His carrying of the crossbeam allowed Jesus to arrive at Golgotha in the condition necessary to be crucified. Simon bore the weight temporarily so that Christ could achieve the pinnacle of His earthly ministry.
In Mark 15:21, Simon is described as “coming in from the country” (some translations say “passing by”). But his presence there was no coincidence. God engineered events so that Simon would come along the road precisely when needed. God chose him for a special purpose, to carry the instrument of Christ’s sacrifice.
Church tradition holds that Simon later became a believer who taught his sons about the meaning of the cross. If so, then Simon came to realize the great privilege of helping the Savior carry the cross, even for just a portion of the journey to Calvary. His service gave him a unique connection to the Passion of Christ.
Jesus Accepted Help
As the perfectly obedient Son, Jesus complied with the Father’s will throughout His earthly life and ministry. When His human body gave out under the weight of the cross, Jesus accepted the aid that His circumstances required. He understood the importance of allowing others to serve God’s purposes, even in small ways.
Jesus took no offense at the fact that Simon carried the cross, recognizing that His mission was bigger than pride. He welcomed whatever enabled the will of the Father to be accomplished, including Simon’s assistance.
All four Gospel accounts implicitly endorse Simon’s role as appropriate and helpful. Though Jesus bore the cross alone in a spiritual sense, He affirmed the service that Simon and others provided along the road to Calvary. For the sake of His mission, Jesus humbly accepted necessary help when His humanity faltered.
Jesus Bore the Cross Willingly
It is significant that in all four Gospels, Jesus carries His cross as He leaves Pilate’s palace. Only later along the Via Dolorosa does Simon become involved. No one took up Jesus’ cross against His will; He willingly picked it up and carried it at first, intent on accomplishing redemption (John 10:17-18).
Jesus chose the cross, just as He chose to allow Simon’s assistance. Jesus directed every part of the narrative, though wicked men presumed to be in control. His sacrifice was voluntary, including the temporary sharing of the crossbeam with Simon of Cyrene and perhaps others.
Ultimately, Jesus decided how the events would unfold, down to the details. And He accepted aid from bystanders, from those compelled into service, knowing it was the Father’s will to reach Calvary with the cross – and then to bear it alone.
Jesus Endured Perfectly
The fact that Simon carried the cross for Jesus does not in any way detract from Christ’s perfection in completing the Father’s plan. Jesus’ endurance was flawless and complete. When Jesus could go no farther, He entrusted the cross to others so that God’s purposes would be fulfilled.
Jesus did not give up or falter short of the goal. He courageously persevered until the cross was mounted at Golgotha. Simon’s role was merely a divinely appointed provision to aid Jesus in drinking the cup the Father had given Him (Matthew 26:39). It was an intermediary step on the path to the Savior’s ultimate triumph on Calvary.
Summary
The Gospel accounts do not provide full details about who carried Jesus’ cross on the way to Calvary. But Mark’s mention of Simon of Cyrene offers helpful insight. Simon was compelled into service by Roman soldiers when Jesus was unable to continue carrying the patibulum. Simon bore the weight of the cross for much of the journey, though Jesus Himself had carried it initially after being condemned. Others may also have taken turns carrying the crossbeam for Jesus besides Simon. But in the end, Christ alone bore the full weight – both physical and spiritual – of the cross as the perfect sacrifice for sins. Simon played his part in the Father’s redemptive plan so that through Jesus’ endurance, salvation would be accomplished.
