PER350

The way to Mount Golgotha, help from Simon of Cyrene

PER350 examines Jesus’ journey to Mount Golgotha, from Pilate’s praetorium. Weakened by the scourging, Jesus can no longer carry his cross alone. Simon of Cyrene is pressed into service by the soldiers. Luke mentions weeping women in the crowd, while Matthew reports Jesus’ refusal of a drink meant to dull the pain. Mark identifies Simon as the father of Alexander and Rufus, figures known to the early Christian communities. A synopsis of Matthew, Mark and Luke sheds light on this episode, which immediately precedes the crucifixion, dated to Friday morning around 9 o’clock.

14 min Simon of Cyrene way of the cross Golgotha crucifixion Passion of Jesus 21 verses 4 books

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Biblical texts

Matthew

Matthew 27.32-34 (King James Version)

And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.

And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull,

They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Mark

Mark 15.21-23 (King James Version)

And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.

And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.

And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Luke

Luke 23.26-27 (King James Version)

And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.

And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Technical details

Place: The city of Jerusalem, the road leading to Mount Golgotha

Date: Friday, April 1, in the morning

Method: We now follow Luke

Note on the method: Matthew and Mark give us further details

Jesus no longer has the strength to carry his cross, so the soldiers force Simon of Cyrene to help him.

Chronological details, according to our conclusions:

_21 The crowd, gathered in front of Pontius Pilate’s palace, demands the crucifixion. Matthew 27.22 ; Mark 14.11-15 ; Luke 23.23 ; John 19.15.

_22 The departure for Mount Golgotha begins before 9 a.m. Matthew 27.32 ; Mark 15.21-22 ; Luke 23.26-33 ; John 19.17.

_23 The placing on the cross therefore takes place around 9 a.m. according to Mark's text. The imprecision of the measurement allows for the time needed to travel to Mount Golgotha. Mark 15.20-41 ; Matthew 27.31-56 ; Luke 23.26-49 ; John 18.17-30.

You can consult the complete chronology in the study ANN026 : The hour of the crucifixion.

Commentary:

Weakened by the scourging, the lack of sleep and the intensity of the events he had lived through since Gethsemane, Jesus can no longer carry the patibulum alone, as Roman practice nevertheless required (Matthew 27.32). His physical condition bears witness to the violence he has already suffered, but also to the endurance he will show all the way to the cross. The soldiers then requisition Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross in his place (Mark 15.21 ; Luke 23.26). Mark mentions that he is the father of Alexander and Rufus, which suggests that these names were known to the early Christian communities, pointing to a direct testimony or a later integration into the Church (Mark 15.21).

Luke alone reports the presence of a large crowd, notably women who weep and lament over Jesus (Luke 23.27). This detail underlines that, despite the hostility of the authorities, part of the people remains moved by what is unfolding. Matthew mentions that a drink mixed with gall is offered to Jesus, probably to ease the pain, but that he refuses it (Matthew 27.34). This refusal shows that he faces suffering fully, without seeking to lessen its intensity.

This journey to Golgotha, although relatively short, is an ordeal in itself. The condemned man, already weakened, must walk under compulsion, exposed to the gaze of a crowd for whom such executions are often a public spectacle. The crucifixion remains inevitable, and every effort is made to bring the condemned man to the place of execution. Thus, these combined elements, compulsion, physical suffering, Simon’s intervention and the reactions of the crowd, highlight the harshness of this road and the human reality of this moment preceding the crucifixion.

Le chemin jusqu’au Mont Golgotha, aide de Simon de Cyrène. PER350 analyse le chemin de Jésus vers le mont Golgotha, depuis le prétoire de Pilate. Affaibli par la flagellation, Jésus ne peut plus porter seul sa croix. Simon de Cyrène est réquisitionné par les soldats. Luc mentionne des femmes en pleurs dans la foule, Matthieu rapporte le refus de Jésus d'une boisson anesthésiante. Marc identifie Simon comme père d'Alexandre et Rufus, figures connues des premières communautés chrétiennes. Une synopse de Matthieu, Marc et Luc éclaire cet épisode précédant immédiatement la crucifixion, datée du vendredi matin vers 9 heures. Détails chronologiques, selon nos conclusions. _21 La foule, rassemblée devant le palais de Ponce Pilate, exige la crucifixion. Matthieu 27, verset 22 ; Marc 14, versets 11 à 15 ; Luc 23, verset 23 ; Jean 19, verset 15. _22 Le départ pour le mont Golgotha commence avant 9 h. Matthieu 27, verset 32 ; Marc 15, versets 21 à 22 ; Luc 23, versets 26 à 33 ; Jean 19, verset 17. _23 La mise sur la croix a donc lieu vers 9 h selon le texte de Marc. L’imprécision de la mesure permet d’intercaler le temps de déplacement pour aller jusqu’au mont Golgotha. Marc 15, versets 20 à 41 ; Matthieu 27, versets 31 à 56 ; Luc 23, versets 26 à 49 ; Jean 18, versets 17 à 30. Vous pouvez consulter l’intégralité de cette chronologie dans l’étude ANN026 : L’heure de la crucifixion. Commentaire : Affaibli par la flagellation, le manque de sommeil et l’intensité des événements vécus depuis Gethsémané, Jésus ne parvient plus à porter seul le patibulum, comme l’exigeait pourtant la pratique romaine (Matthieu 27, verset 32). Son état physique témoigne de la violence déjà subie, mais aussi de l’endurance dont il fera preuve jusqu’à la croix. Les soldats réquisitionnent alors Simon de Cyrène pour porter la croix à sa place (Marc 15, verset 21 ; Luc 23, verset 26). Marc mentionne qu’il est le père d’Alexandre et de Rufus, ce qui laisse penser que ces noms étaient connus des premières communautés chrétiennes, suggérant un témoignage direct ou une intégration ultérieure dans l’Église (Marc 15, verset 21). Luc est le seul à rapporter la présence d’une foule nombreuse, notamment de femmes qui pleurent et se lamentent sur Jésus (Luc 23, verset 27). Ce détail souligne que, malgré l’hostilité des autorités, une part du peuple reste touchée par ce qui se déroule. Matthieu mentionne qu’une boisson mêlée de fiel est proposée à Jésus, probablement pour atténuer la douleur, mais qu’il la refuse (Matthieu 27, verset 34). Ce refus montre qu’il affronte pleinement la souffrance, sans chercher à en diminuer l’intensité. Ce parcours vers Golgotha, bien que relativement court, constitue une épreuve en soi. Le condamné, déjà affaibli, doit avancer sous la contrainte, exposé aux regards d’une foule pour qui ces exécutions font souvent office de spectacle public. La crucifixion reste inévitable, et tout est mis en œuvre pour conduire le condamné jusqu’au lieu d’exécution. Ainsi, ces éléments conjugués, contrainte, souffrance physique, intervention de Simon et réactions de la foule, mettent en lumière la dureté de ce chemin et la réalité humaine de ce moment précédant la crucifixion.