Simon of Cyrene helped Jesus carry His cross, as recorded in Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21, and Luke 23:26. After Jesus was condemned to crucifixion by Pontius Pilate and scourged, He was made to carry His own cross towards Golgotha. However, weakened from the scourging and beatings, Jesus was unable to carry it the entire distance. The Roman soldiers compelled Simon, a man from Cyrene (a city in North Africa, in modern-day Libya) who was coming in from the countryside, to carry the cross the rest of the way.
Mark's Gospel provides the additional detail that Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus (Mark 15:21), suggesting that his sons were known to the early Christian community. This forced act of service placed Simon at the centre of one of the most significant moments in Christian history.
The other individuals named had different roles in the Passion narrative. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and member of the Jewish ruling council who visited Jesus at night (John 3) and later helped prepare His body for burial (John 19:39). Peter had denied Jesus earlier that morning and was not present at the crucifixion. Joseph of Arimathea was the wealthy member of the Sanhedrin who provided his own tomb for Jesus' burial (Matthew 27:57-60).
