Luke 23:26
What does Luke 23:26 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 23:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 23:26 means
As Jesus is led away, they seize Simon of Cyrene, coming in from the country, and lay the cross on him to carry behind Jesus. This shows Jesus’ physical weakness under the burden of suffering already inflicted. It also becomes a picture of discipleship—following behind the Lord and sharing His reproach. Simon is drawn into the story unexpectedly, yet his service is meaningful: he helps bear the instrument of the world’s salvation. The scene underscores Jesus’ humanity and the cost He bears willingly, even as others must assist Him on the path to the place of execution.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And when they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and laid on him the cross, to bear it after Jesus.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And when they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and laid on him the cross, to bear it after Jesus.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And while they were taking him away, they put their hands on Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and made him take the cross after Jesus.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And as they led him away, having taken hold on Simon, a certain Cyrenian, coming from the field, they put on him the cross, to bear <FI>it<Fi> behind Jesus.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And as they led him away, they laid hold of one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country; and they laid the cross on him to carry after Jesus.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And as they led him away, they laid hold on a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, coming from the field, and put the cross upon him to bear it behind Jesus.
Context
Having been delivered to the crowd’s will, Jesus is escorted to crucifixion. Luke notes the conscription of Simon, a bystander compelled into service. Immediately after, a large crowd follows, including women who weep and lament. Jesus will address them with a prophetic warning about days of distress to come. This interlude on the road sets a sobering frame: the cross is not only about Jesus’ suffering but also about looming judgment on Jerusalem for rejecting Him.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 6:6
whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands upon them.
- Acts 6:9
But there arose certain of them that were of the synagogue calledthe synagogueof the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen.
- Matthew 27:32
And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to go with them, that he might bear his cross.
- Luke 14:27
Whosoever doth not bear his own cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
- Luke 9:23
And he said unto all, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
- Acts 2:10
in Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and sojourners from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,
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