And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.
All Commentaries on Matthew 27:32 Go To Matthew 27
Theophylact of Ochrid
AD 1107
The three evangelists say that Simon carried the cross of Jesus, while John says that the Lord carried it Himself. It is likely that both events occurred. At first Jesus carried the cross as no one else was willing to carry it; but along the way they found Simon and placed the cross on him. You, O reader, learn this as well, that "Simon" means "obedience"; therefore he who possesses obedience is he who carries the cross of Christ. And Cyrene was one of the five cities of Pentapolis, signifying the five senses that are compelled to bear the cross.
