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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Matthew 27:32 - 27:32
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32. ἄνθρωπον Κυρηναῖον. (1) ‘coming out of the country’ (Mark and Luke), (2) the father of Alexander and Rufus (Mark).
(1) This has been thought to imply that Simon was returning from work, and hence that it cannot have been the actual day of the Feast. Simon was probably coming into the city for the Paschal sacrifice, the hour for which was close at hand. (2) Rufus is probably the Christian named Rom 16:13, who would be known to St Mark’s readers. May not Simon have been one of those ‘Men of Cyrene’ who preached the word to Greeks when others preached to the Jews only? (Act 11:20.) The inference that he was already an adherent of Christ is quite uncertain.
For an account of the foundation of Cyrene see Hdt. III. 158 foll. For the origin of the Jewish colony there see Joseph. c. Apion. II. 4: Πτολεμαῖος ὁ Λάγου … Κυρήνης ἐγκρατῶς ἄρχειν βουλόμενος καὶ τῶν ἄλλων τῶν ἐν τῇ Λιβύῃ πόλεων εἰς αὐτὰς μέρος Ἰουδαίων ἔπεμψε κατοικῆσον. The expression in Act 2:10, τὰ μέρη τῆς Λιβύης τῆς κατὰ Κυρήνην, points to its position as metropolis of the district. The Cyrenians had a synagogue in Jerusalem (Act 6:9), of which Simon was probably a member. Lucius of Cyrene is named among the ‘prophets and teachers’ at Antioch (Act 13:1) who bidden by the Holy Ghost separated Barnabas and Saul for the work, and laid their hands on them and sent them away. This Lucius, according to tradition, was first bishop of Cyrene. The district was however connected politically with Crete, together with which it formed a Roman Province—this arrangement would probably, as in other cases, determine the ecclesiastical jurisdiction.
ἠγγάρευσαν. See note ch. Mat 5:41, where the same word is used, and the custom referred to of which this is an instance. If, as was probable, Simon became a Christian, it would be his pride to have been ‘pressed into the service’ of the Great King.