Mark 15:21

they compel The condemned were usually obliged to carry either the entire cross, or the cross-beams fastened together like the letter V, with their arms bound to the projecting ends. Hence the term furcifers = "cross-bearer." "Patibulum ferat per urbem, deinde affigatur cruci." This had a reference to our Lord being typified by Isaac bearing the wood of the burnt offering, Genesis 22:6. But exhausted by all He had undergone, our Lord sank under the weight laid upon Him, and the soldiers had not proceeded far from the city gate, when they met a man whom they could "compel" or "impress" into their service. The original word translated "compel" is a Persian word. At regular stages throughout Persia (Hdt. viii. 98; Xen. Cyrop. viii. 6, 17) mounted couriers were kept ready to carry the royal despatches. Hence the verb (angariareVulg.) denotes (1) to despatch as a mounted courier;(2) to impress, force to do some service. It occurs also in Matthew 5:41, "Whosoever shall compelthee to go a mile, go with him twain."

Simon a Cyrenian The man thus impressed was passing by, and coming from the country(Luke 23:26). His name was Simon, a Hellenistic Jew, of Cyrene, in northern Africa, the inhabitants of which district had a synagogue at Jerusalem (Acts 2:10; Acts 6:9).

the father of Alexander and Rufus St Mark alone adds this. Like "Bartimæus, the son of Timæus," these words testify to his originality. From the way they are mentioned it is clear that these two persons must have been well known to the early Christians. Rufus has been identified with one of the same name saluted by St Paul, Romans 16:13.

to bear his cross The cause of execution was generally inscribed on a white tablet, called in Latin titulus(" qui causam pœnæ indicaret," Sueton. Calig. 32). It was borne either suspended from the neck, or carried before the sufferer. The latter was probably the mode adopted in our Lord's case. And Simon may have borne both title and Cross. St Mark does not mention our Lord's words on the way to the women (Luke 23:28-31).