This moment is powerfully etched into Christian tradition, appearing in all three Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21, and Luke 23:26).
But who was Simon of Cyrene beyond that singular, dramatic encounter? What became of him after that fateful day, and does he play a larger role in the Christian faith than is often recognised?
The answer is yes, and his story invites us to reflect deeply on discipleship, suffering, and the hidden ways in which God calls us to Himself.
A Stranger Drawn Into the Passion
Simon was from Cyrene, a city in what is now modern-day Libya, in North Africa. Cyrene was home to a significant Jewish community, and Simon may have been in Jerusalem for the Passover festival, as many Jews from the diaspora travelled to the Holy City during this time. He may not have been a follower of Jesus at all - at least, not at that moment. He was merely passing by, unaware that history was about to place him in the centre of the greatest story ever told.
It is easy to imagine Simon’s initial resistance. He had not volunteered for this task; he was compelled.
Roman soldiers had absolute authority in such matters, and to refuse their command could mean severe punishment. Yet in that moment, he found himself walking beside the suffering Christ, feeling the weight of the Cross, sharing in His burden. What must it have been like to see Jesus up close, to witness His agony, to lock eyes with Him as He stumbled under the crushing weight of the sins of the world?
The Transformation of Simon
Though we have no explicit record of Simon’s thoughts or words, his presence in the Gospels suggests that his experience with Jesus left a profound impact on him. Mark’s Gospel provides a fascinating detail - Simon is described as "the father of Alexander and Rufus" (Mark 15:21). Why would Mark include this information unless his readers knew who Alexander and Rufus were? This suggests that Simon's family later became known in the early Christian community.
Many scholars believe that the Rufus mentioned here may be the same Rufus Paul greets in his letter to the Romans (Romans 16:13), calling him "chosen in the Lord." If this is the case, then Simon's encounter with Jesus was not just a passing moment but the beginning of a faith that transformed his household.
Did Simon become a Christian after helping Jesus carry the Cross? Did he go home that day changed, unable to shake the image of the Man who bore such suffering with such love?
It seems likely. The mere fact that Simon’s sons were recognised among the early Christians suggests that their father had been deeply impacted by his experience. Perhaps he was among the converts at Pentecost. Perhaps he became one of those who spread the Gospel to others, telling them how he had carried the Lord’s Cross with his own hands.
The Call to Carry the Cross
Simon’s story is more than just a historical account - it is a profound lesson for all Christians. Jesus had already taught His disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:24). Simon of Cyrene literally lived this call. He shows us that discipleship is not always something we choose, but something that chooses us. He was pulled from the crowd, given a burden he did not seek, yet through it, he encountered Christ in an intimate and powerful way.
In our own lives, we often face crosses that we do not ask for - suffering, hardship, unexpected trials. Like Simon, we may at first resist, feeling unfairly burdened by circumstances beyond our control. Yet, if we embrace these crosses, walking alongside Christ rather than fighting against the weight, we may find that they lead us closer to Him. We may find that they transform us, drawing us into deeper faith and a greater understanding of God's plan.
Simon’s Legacy in the Early Church
Beyond his mention in the Gospels, Simon’s legacy seems to echo in the early Christian Church. The possibility that his son Rufus became a prominent Christian figure suggests that his family played a role in spreading the Gospel. Some traditions even hold that Simon himself became a missionary, taking the message of Christ back to Cyrene and beyond.
The early Church in North Africa was strong, producing great theologians such as St Augustine centuries later. It is not unreasonable to wonder if Simon’s encounter with Christ played some part in planting the seeds of Christianity in that region. Whether he preached the Gospel openly or simply lived a life transformed by his experience, his story did not end at Calvary.
A Model for All Christians
Simon of Cyrene stands as a model for all of us who are called - sometimes unwillingly - into suffering. He reminds us that even the most unexpected encounters with Christ can change our lives forever. He teaches us that carrying the Cross, though difficult, can be the path to true discipleship.
His story is also a call to action. How often do we turn away from suffering, from burdens that seem too great to bear? How often do we resist when God asks us to step forward and serve in ways we did not anticipate? Simon was forced into his role, yet through it, he encountered Christ in a way few others ever did.
Perhaps, like Simon, we will one day look back on the crosses we have carried and realise they were the very means by which God drew us to Himself. Perhaps we will see that what seemed like an unfair burden was actually a blessing in disguise, shaping us into the disciples we were always meant to be.
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May we, like Simon, embrace the crosses placed before us. May we walk with Christ even when the path is difficult. And may we come to see, in the weight of the Cross, the weight of love - a love that redeems, transforms, and leads us to eternal life.