The Apostolic Age · AD 4–70
Simon of Cyrene
fl. AD 30 (death unrecorded) · Bearer of the cross · Cyrene → Jerusalem
The Apostolic Age
Who Simon of Cyrene was
A Jew of Cyrene in North Africa, “coming out of the country” as the execution procession passed, compelled by the soldiers to carry the cross behind Jesus. Mark identifies him for his readers as “the father of Alexander and Rufus” — names evidently known in the church for which Mark wrote, commonly connected with the Rufus greeted by Paul at Rome. Through his sons, the man conscripted at random became a Christian household’s remembered patriarch.
Common questions
When was Simon active?
Simon of Cyrene is dated fl. AD 30 (death unrecorded) in the archive, which places Simon in the Apostolic Age (AD 4–70).
Which early sources mention Simon?
Simon of Cyrene is named in 3 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Matthew the Evangelist, Mark and Irenaeus of Lyon. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Simon from?
The archive associates Simon of Cyrene with Cyrene, Jerusalem. The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.
Who were Simon’s contemporaries?
The archive links Simon of Cyrene to 5 other figures, including Rufus of Rome, The Mother of Rufus, John Mark and Dismas (the Penitent Thief). Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.
Scripture record
Primary-source mentions (3)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Matthew 27:32
c. AD 50They found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.Matthew the Evangelist · read ↗
Mark 15:21
c. AD 70And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.Mark · read ↗
Against Heresies I.24.4 (against Basilides's claim that Simon died in Christ's stead)
c. AD 180Simon, a certain man of Cyrene, being compelled, bore the cross in his stead... and was crucified, through ignorance and error, while He Himself received the form of Simon, and, standing by, laughed at them.Irenaeus of Lyon · Against Heresies I.24.4 · source text
Connected in the archive
People
- Rufus of Rome
- The Mother of Rufus
- John Mark
- Dismas (the Penitent Thief)
- Alexander, son of Simon of Cyrene
Events in this lifetime
- AD 30 · Crucifixion, Resurrection and Pentecost, AD 30–33
- AD 44 · Persecution under Herod Agrippa I, AD 44
- AD 49 · The Council of Jerusalem, AD 49
Place
Places served
The 2 places the sources put Simon, in the order the record moves through them. This is what the sources attest, not a reconstructed route.