Devine Scripture

Mark 15:21

What does Mark 15:21 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 15:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 15:21 means

The soldiers compel Simon of Cyrene to carry Jesus’ cross. Simon is a passerby from the country and father of Alexander and Rufus, perhaps noted so the readers know him. The compulsion highlights Jesus’ weakened state after scourging and the Roman practice of forcing others to carry the crossbeam. Simon’s reluctant involvement becomes service for the Savior. This moment introduces an unwitting disciple who aids Jesus in his humiliation—an image of how believers bear Christ’s burdens alongside him.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And they compel one passing by, Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to go with them, that he might bear his cross.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And they compel one passing by, Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to go with them, that he might bear his cross.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And they made one, Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, who was going by, coming from the country, go with them, so that he might take his cross.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And they impress a certain one passing by--Simon, a Cyrenian, coming from the field, the father of Alexander and Rufus--that he may bear his cross,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And they forced one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and of Rufus, to take up his cross.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And they compel to go [with them] a certain passer-by, Simon, a Cyrenian, coming from the field, the father of Alexander and Rufus, that he might carry his cross.

Context

This occurs as the soldiers lead Jesus out to crucify him. It explains why Jesus does not carry the cross all the way: he had been so weakened by beating and scourging. The mention of Simon’s sons may connect him to known Christians. The verse leads directly to the arrival at Golgotha and the offering of wine mingled with myrrh.

v.20And when they had mocked him, they took off from him the purple, and put on him his garments. And they lead him out to crucify him.

v.21This passage

v.22And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.

Cross references

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Romans 16:13

    Salute Rufus the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

  • Luke 14:27

    Whosoever doth not bear his own cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

  • 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 23:26

    And 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.

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