Mark 15:21

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.

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Interpretation

Christ met death in its greatest terror. It was the death of the vilest malefactors.

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This thought runs through Mark 15:20-24.

Alexander Person: Man-defender. (1. ) A relative of Annas the high priest, present when Peter and John were examined before the Sanhedrim ( Acts 4:6 ). (2. ) A man whose father, Simon the Cyrenian, bore the cross of Christ ( Mark 15:21 ).
Cyrene Place: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Cyrene.
Rufus Person: Red, the son of Simon the Cyrenian ( Mark 15:21 ), whom the Roman soldiers compelled to carry the cross on which our Lord was crucified. Probably it is the same person who is again mentioned in Rom.