Simon of Cyrene, who was compelled to carry Jesus' cross, was the father of________

Simon of Cyrene, who was compelled to carry Jesus' cross, was the father of Alexander and Rufus. According to the New Testament, Simon of Cyrene was a passerby who was pressed into service to carry Jesus' cross as Jesus was on his way to be crucified. The Gospels of Mark (15:21) and Matthew (27:32) mention Simon by name, and the Gospel of Luke (23:26) refers to him as "the father of Alexander and Rufus." These two individuals are not otherwise mentioned in the New Testament, but they may have been known to the early Christian communities to which Luke was writing, as they are identified by name. The fact that they are mentioned suggests that Simon of Cyrene and his family were seen as important witnesses to the events of Jesus' crucifixion, and their testimony was remembered and valued by the early Church.