Simon of Cyrene
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- ANCIENT SOURCES: see Simon of Cyrene (sources)
- LIST OF SCHOLARLY AND FICTIONAL WORKS: see Category:Simon of Cyrene (subject)
Simon of Cyrene was, according to Christian tradition, a passerby at the Crucifixion of Jesus.
Overview
Simon of Cyrene is mentioned only in Christian sources, in the Gospels of Mark, Matthew and Luke. He is introduced as a passerby who was compelled by the Romans to carry the cross of Jesus of Nazareth on the way to Golgotha. Mark adds that "he was coming in from the country" (a detail reported also by Luke), and was "the father of Alexander and Rufus."
Simon of Cyrene in ancient sources
The character is absent in the Gospel of John.
Simon of Cyrene in Scholarship
The lack of evidence makes any historical discourse on Simon of Cyrene virtually impossible.