Devine Scripture

Matthew 27:32

What does Matthew 27:32 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 27:32 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 27:32 means

As they lead Jesus out, they compel Simon of Cyrene to carry his cross. Simon, a passerby coming from the country, is forced into the role. This incident reveals the physical toll of the scourging and the humiliation of Jesus being unable to carry the burden himself. Simon’s compelled service later becomes significant: he is named explicitly, hinting at the lasting mark this encounter had. The scene prefigures discipleship’s themes—bearing the cross—even though Simon’s initial involvement is compelled, not voluntary.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And while they were coming out, they saw a man of Cyrene, Simon by name, and they made him go with them, so that he might take up his cross.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And coming forth, they found a man, a Cyrenian, by name Simon: him they impressed that he might bear his cross;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And going out, they found a man of Cyrene, named Simon: him they forced to take up his cross.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And as they went forth they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name; him they compelled to go [with them] that he might bear his cross.

Context

This verse follows the soldiers’ leading of Jesus to crucify (v. 31) and introduces Simon’s forced assistance. It moves the narrative onto the road to Golgotha and highlights Jesus’ weakness after scourging. The detail about Simon of Cyrene will echo in early Christian memory and teaching about cross-bearing.

v.31And when they had mocked him, they took off from him the robe, and put on him his garments, and led him away to crucify him.

v.32This passage

v.33And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, The place of a skull,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 11:20

    But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.

  • Leviticus 4:21

    And he shall carry forth the bullock without the camp, and burn it as he burned the first bullock: it is the sin-offering for the assembly.

  • 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 16:24

    Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

  • Acts 13:1

    Now there were at Antioch, in the church that wasthere, prophets and teachers, Barnabas, and Symeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen the foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

  • John 19:17

    They took Jesus therefore: and he went out, bearing the cross for himself, unto the place called The place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgotha:

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