Matthew 27:32

ἐξερχόμενοι : going out (of the city) according to later Roman custom, and in harmony also with Jewish usage (Numbers 15:35; 1 Kings 21:23; Acts 7:58). ἄνθρ. Κυρ.: a man of Cyrene, in Libya, presumably recognisable as a stranger, with whom liberties might be taken. ἠγγάρευσαν, compelled; a military requisition. cf. at chap. Matthew 5:41. ἵνα ἄρῃ τ. σ. Jesus, carrying His cross according to the custom, has broken down under His burden; Gethsemane, betrayal, the ordeal of the past sleepless night, scourging, have made the flesh weak. No compassion for Him in finding a substitute; the cross must be carried, and the soldiers will not. σταυρὸν : see on Matthew 27:35. Γολγοθᾶ : Weiss remarks on the double λεγόμενον before the name, and in the following interpretation and thinks it a sign that Mt. is copying from Mk. One wonders indeed why Mt., writing for Jews, should explain the word at all. κρανίου τόπος, place of a skull (“Calvariae locus,” Vulg [150], whence “Calvary” in Lk., A. V [151]), of skulls rather, say many interpreters; a place of execution, skulls lying all about (Jerome started this view). Recent interpreters (including Schanz) more naturally take the word as pointing to the shape of the hill. The locality is quite uncertain.

[150] Vulgate (Jerome's revision of old Latin version).

[151] Authorised Version.