LUKE 23:26 Parallel Verse View

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Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) As the Roman soldiers led Yeshua out of the city, they grabbed a man that was coming in from the countryside. He was Simon from Cyrene, and they forced him to carry the post and follow along behind Yeshua.

Key: khaki:verbs, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT And as they led him away, seizing Simon, a certain Cyrenean coming from the country, they put the cross on him, to carry behind Jesus.

UST Now there was a man named Simon, who was from the city of Cyrene in Africa. He was coming into Jerusalem from the countryside. As the soldiers were leading Jesus away, they grabbed hold of Simon. They took from Jesus the cross that they had made him carry, and they put it on Simon’s shoulders. They told him to carry it and follow behind Jesus.

BSB As [the soldiers] led Him away, they seized Simon of Cyrene on his way in from the country, [and] they put the cross on him to carry behind Jesus.

BLB And as they led Him away, having laid hold on Simon, a certain man of Cyrene coming from the country, they put upon him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus.

AICNT And as they led him away, they seized a certain Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and laid on him the cross [to carry][fn] behind Jesus.

23:26, to carry: Absent from ℵ(01).

OEB ¶ And, as they were leading Jesus away, they laid hold of Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and they put the cross on his shoulders, for him to carry it behind Jesus.

WEBBE When they led him away, they grabbed one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and laid the cross on him to carry it after Jesus.

WMBB When they led him away, they grabbed one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and laid the cross on him to carry it after Yeshua.

NET As they led him away, they seized Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country. They placed the cross on his back and made him carry it behind Jesus.

LSV And as they led Him away, having taken hold on Simon, a certain Cyrenian, coming from the field, they put the cross on him to carry [it] behind Jesus.

FBV As the soldiers[fn] led him away, they seized a man called Simon of Cyrene, who had come in from the countryside. They put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.

23:26 Implied.

TCNT As the soldiers led him away, they took hold of Simon, a Cyrenian man who was coming in from the countryside, and they laid on him the cross, forcing him to carry it behind Jesus.

T4T As the soldiers were taking Jesus away, they seized a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene city in Africa. He was returning to Jerusalem from out in the countryside. They took from Jesus the cross that he had been carrying. Then they put it on Simon’s shoulders, and told him to carry it behind Jesus.

LEB ¶ And as they led him away, they seized Simon, a certain man of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and[fn] placed the cross on him, to carry it[fn] behind Jesus.

23:26 *Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“seized”) has been translated as a finite verb

23:26 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation

BBE And 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.

Moff As they led him off they caught hold of Simon a Cyrenian on his way from the country and laid the cross on him to carry after Jesus.

Wymth As soon as they led Him away, they laid hold on one Simon, a Cyrenaean, who was coming in from the country, and on his shoulders they put the cross, for him to carry it behind Jesus.

ASV 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.

DRA And 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.

YLT And 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 [it] behind Jesus.

Drby And 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.

RV 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.

SLT And as they led him away, seizing upon Simon, a certain Cyrenian, coming from the field, they laid the cross upon him, to carry after Jesus.

Wbstr And 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.

KJB-1769 And 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.

KJB-1611 And as they led him away, they laid hold vpon one Simon a Cyrenian, comming out of the countrey, and on him they laid the crosse, that hee might beare it after Iesus.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation)

Bshps And as they ledde hym away, they caught one Simon of Cyrene comming out of the fielde, and on hym layde they the crosse, that he myght beare it after Iesus.
(And as they led him away, they caught one Simon of Cyrene coming out of the field, and on him laid they the cross, that he might bear it after Yesus/Yeshua.)

Gnva And as they led him away, they caught one Simon of Cyrene, comming out of the fielde, and on him they layde the crosse, to beare it after Iesus.
(And as they led him away, they caught one Simon of Cyrene, coming out of the field, and on him they laid the cross, to bear it after Yesus/Yeshua. )

Cvdl And as they led him awaye, they toke one Simon of Cyren (which came from the felde) and layed ye crosse vpon him, to beare it after Iesus.
(And as they led him away, they took one Simon of Cyren (which came from the felde) and laid ye/you_all cross upon him, to bear it after Yesus/Yeshua.)

TNT And as they ledde him awaye they caught one Symon of Syrene commynge out of the felde: and on him layde they the crosse to beare it after Iesus.
(And as they led him away they caught one Simon of Syrene coming out of the field: and on him laid they the cross to bear it after Yesus/Yeshua. )

Wycl And whanne thei ledden hym, thei token a man, Symon of Syrenen, comynge fro the toun, and thei leiden on hym the cross to bere aftir Jhesu.
(And when they led him, they token a man, Simon of Syrenen, coming from the town, and they laid on him the cross to bear after Yhesu.)

Luth Und als sie ihn hinführeten, ergriffen sie einen, Simon von Kyrene, der kam vom Felde, und legten das Kreuz auf ihn, daß er‘s JEsu nachtrüge.
(And as they/she/them him/it hinführeten, seized they/she/them a, Simon from Kyrene, the/of_the came from_the field, and laid the Kreuz on/in/to him/it, that he's Yesu aftertrüge.)

ClVg Et cum ducerent eum, apprehenderunt Simonem quemdam Cyrenensem venientem de villa: et imposuerunt illi crucem portare post Jesum.[fn]
(And when/with to_leadnt him, they_arrested Simonem someone Cyrenensem coming from/about villa: and they_imposed them cross/frame to_carry after Yesus. )

23.26 Apprehenderunt quemdam, etc. Primo Dominus crucem portavit, sed postea imposita est Simoni, quem exeuntes obviam habuerunt, et hoc congrue: Christus enim passus est pro nobis ut sequamini vestigia ejus I Petr. 2.. Qui vero eum vult sequi, tollat crucem suam et sequatur. Quia vero Simon non Isrælita, sed Cyrenæus erat, per eum Gentiles designantur, prius peregrini et hospites testamentorum, sed nunc in fide cives et domestici Dei et cohæredes Christi, unde Simon obediens Cyreneæ hæres interpretatur. Sed Simon venit de villa, id est de pago, a quo pagani, qui a civitate Dei alieni urbanæ sunt conversationis ignari. Sed Simon pago egrediens crucem portat post Jesum, cum populi gentium paganis ritibus derelictis obedienter amplectuntur vestigia Dominicæ passionis.

23.26 Apprehenderunt someone, etc. At_first Master cross/frame carried, but afterwards imposita it_is Simoni, which leaving to_meet they_had, and this congrue: Christ/Messiah because suffered it_is for us as sequamini footsteps his I Petr. 2.. Who indeed/however him wants to_follow, take_away cross/frame his_own and follow. Because indeed/however Simon not/no Israelita, but Cyrenæus was, through him Gentiles are_designated, first/before peregrini and hospites testamentrum, but now in/into/on with_faith citizen and domestic of_God and co-heirs Christi, from_where/who Simon obedient Cyreneæ heir interprets. But Simon he_came from/about villa, that it_is from/about pago, from where pagani, who/which from city of_God strangers urbanæ are conversation ignari. But Simon pago going_out cross/frame carries after Yesus, when/with of_the_people nations paganis ritibus derelictis obedienter amplectuntur footsteps Sunday passion.

UGNT καὶ ὡς ἀπήγαγον αὐτόν, ἐπιλαβόμενοι Σίμωνά, τινα Κυρηναῖον ἐρχόμενον ἀπ’ ἀγροῦ, ἐπέθηκαν αὐτῷ τὸν σταυρὸν, φέρειν ὄπισθεν τοῦ Ἰησοῦ.
(kai hōs apaʸgagon auton, epilabomenoi Simōna, tina Kuraʸnaion erⱪomenon ap’ agrou, epethaʸkan autōi ton stauron, ferein opisthen tou Yaʸsou.)

SBL-GNT Καὶ ὡς ἀπήγαγον αὐτόν, ἐπιλαβόμενοι ⸂Σίμωνά τινα Κυρηναῖον ἐρχόμενον⸃ ἀπʼ ἀγροῦ ἐπέθηκαν αὐτῷ τὸν σταυρὸν φέρειν ὄπισθεν τοῦ Ἰησοῦ.
(Kai hōs apaʸgagon auton, epilabomenoi ⸂Simōna tina Kuraʸnaion erⱪomenon⸃ apʼ agrou epethaʸkan autōi ton stauron ferein opisthen tou Yaʸsou.)

RP-GNT Καὶ ὡς ἀπήγαγον αὐτόν, ἐπιλαβόμενοι Σίμωνός τινος Κυρηναίου ἐρχομένου ἀπ' ἀγροῦ, ἐπέθηκαν αὐτῷ τὸν σταυρόν, φέρειν ὄπισθεν τοῦ Ἰησοῦ.
(Kai hōs apaʸgagon auton, epilabomenoi Simōnos tinos Kuraʸnaiou erⱪomenou ap' agrou, epethaʸkan autōi ton stauron, ferein opisthen tou Yaʸsou.)

TC-GNT Καὶ ὡς ἀπήγαγον αὐτόν, ἐπιλαβόμενοι [fn]Σίμωνός τινος Κυρηναίου ἐρχομένου ἀπ᾽ ἀγροῦ, ἐπέθηκαν αὐτῷ τὸν σταυρόν, φέρειν [fn]ὄπισθεν τοῦ Ἰησοῦ.
(Kai hōs apaʸgagon auton, epilabomenoi Simōnos tinos Kuraʸnaiou erⱪomenou ap agrou, epethaʸkan autōi ton stauron, ferein opisthen tou Yaʸsou. )

23:26 σιμωνος τινος κυρηναιου ερχομενου ¦ σιμωνος τινος κυρηναιου του ερχομενου TR ¦ σιμωνα τινα κυρηναιον ερχομενον CT

23:26 οπισθεν ¦ οπισω ANT

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 23:26–43: Soldiers nailed Jesus to a cross

In this section the Roman soldiers did what their commander Pontius Pilate had ordered them to do. They led Jesus outside the town to the place where they crucified criminals. There they nailed Jesus on a cross. They did the same to two other men, who were criminals. Then they made the three men hang there until they died. The Jewish leaders, the soldiers, and even one of the criminals mocked Jesus. But the other criminal believed in him.

Other examples of headings for this section are:

The Crucifixion (NIV)

Jesus Is Nailed to a Cross (CEV)

Roman soldiers nailed Jesus to a cross

There are parallel passages for this section in Matthew 27:31–44, Mark 15:21–32, and John 19:17–27.

23:26a

As the soldiers led Him away,

¶ As Pilate’s men/soldiers led Jesus away from there,
¶ Then the soldiers took Jesus away to crucify/kill him. As they were on the way,

As the soldiers led Him away: This clause introduces something that happened while Pilate’s soldiers were leading Jesus away to be crucified. Some other ways to translate the clause are:

From there, they took Yesus outside the town, and on the way…Uma back translation on TW.

Then they began to lead Jesus out of the city to crucify him. As they were walking there…

the soldiers led Him away: Here the phrase the soldiers refers to Pilate’s soldiers. These soldiers led Jesus away from his trial at Pilate’s house. They were taking Jesus as a prisoner to his execution. Some other ways to translate the soldiers led Him away are:

the soldiers led Jesus away (GW)

Jesus was being led away (CEV)

23:26b

they seized Simon of Cyrene

they grabbed a certain man called Simon who was a Cyrene person/native.
they saw/met a man named Simon. He was from the town of Cyrene.

23:26b–c

they seized Simon: The Greek word that the BSB translates as seized means “to grasp/grab.” The soldiers grabbed Simon so that they could force him to do something. Some other ways to translate they seized Simon are:

some soldiers grabbed hold of…Simon (CEV)

they met…Simon…They caught himKankanaey back translation on TW.

Simon of Cyrene: This man named Simon is mentioned here for the first time in the book of Luke. In some languages there is a special way to introduce a new person and give background information about him. For example:

they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon.Western Bukidnon Manobo back translation on TW.

It may also be more natural to give all the background information about Simon before telling what he did. See the General Comment on 23:26a–e at the end of 23:26e for examples.

Cyrene: Cyrene was a town on the coast of north Africa. In some languages it may be helpful to indicate in the text that Cyrene refers to a place. For example:

the town of Cyrene

the place called Cyrene

23:26c

on his way in from the country,

He was coming into Jerusalem from the countryside.
He was coming from the fields and at that moment was entering the city of Jerusalem.

on his way in from the country: This clause tells more background information about Simon. Simon had come from the countryside and at that moment was coming/going into the city of Jerusalem. Other ways to translate the clause are:

Simon was coming into Jerusalem (GW)

was coming in from the fields (NCV)

on his way in from the country (REB)

from the country: The phrase from the country refers to fields or small villages and towns. It contrasts with the city. In this context the phrase does not indicate that Simon had been working in his field or farm. The name Simon is Jewish. Work was forbidden to a Jew during an important festival like Passover. Translate the phrase in an appropriate way in your language.

23:26d

and put the cross on him

The soldiers put the cross on Simon
When the soldiers saw him, they took him and put the large cross beam on his back/shoulders.

put the cross on him: The phrase the cross refers here to the cross to which Jesus would be nailed to die. Usually criminals were forced to carry one of the large beams of their own cross. They carried it to the place where they would be nailed to it.

In this context the soldiers forced Simon to carry the cross for Jesus. They put the cross on Simon’s shoulders. Some ways to translate put the cross on him are:

laid the cross on him (NRSV)

placed the cross on his back/shoulders

commanded/forced him to carry the cross that Jesus was carrying

cross: The word cross refers to two large beams of wood that were joined in the form of a cross (+ or ✝ or sometimes a T). In many languages there may be no word for cross. If that is true in your language, you may need to use a descriptive phrase. For example:

board/wood of death

crossed-beam(s) of death

a tree for killing people

a stake/plank to which they fasten/nail someone to kill him

See how you translated cross at 14:27.

23:26e

to carry behind Jesus.

and forced him to carry it and walk behind Jesus.
They ordered/forced him to carry it and follow Jesus to the place of execution.

to carry behind Jesus: The soldiers forced Simon to walk behind Jesus while he (Simon) carried the cross. Another way to translate this is:

forced him to carry the cross, then they had him follow JesusKankanaey back translation on TW.

General Comment on 23:26a–e

This verse gives background information about Simon and also tells about his part in the events of Jesus’ crucifixion. It may be more natural to give all the background information about Simon before telling what he did. For example:

^26aThe soldiers led Jesus away, and as they were going, ^26bthey met a man from Cyrene named Simon ^26cwho was coming into the city from the country. ^26bThey seized him, ^26dput the cross on him, ^26eand made him carry it behind Jesus.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

ὡς ἀπήγαγον αὐτόν

as ˱they˲_led_away him

Alternate translation: [while the soldiers were leading Jesus away from where Pilate had judged him]

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἐπιλαβόμενοι Σίμωνά & ἐπέθηκαν

˓having˒_taken_hold_of (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ὡς ἀπήγαγον αὐτόν ἐπιλαβόμενοι Σίμωνα τινά Κυρηναῖον ἐρχόμενον ἀπʼ ἀγροῦ ἐπέθηκαν αὐτῷ τόν σταυρόν φέρειν ὄπισθεν τοῦ Ἰησοῦ)

Luke assumes that his readers will know that Roman soldiers had the authority to compel people to carry their loads. Be sure that your translation does not suggest that the soldiers arrested Simon or that he had done anything wrong. Alternate translation: [making use of their authority, they conscripted Simon … and put]

Note 2 topic: writing-background

Σίμωνά, τινα Κυρηναῖον ἐρχόμενον ἀπ’ ἀγροῦ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ὡς ἀπήγαγον αὐτόν ἐπιλαβόμενοι Σίμωνα τινά Κυρηναῖον ἐρχόμενον ἀπʼ ἀγροῦ ἐπέθηκαν αὐτῷ τόν σταυρόν φέρειν ὄπισθεν τοῦ Ἰησοῦ)

If it would be helpful to your readers, you could treat this information about this man, where he was from, and what he was doing as background information and put it first in the verse, as UST does.

Note 3 topic: writing-participants

Σίμωνά, τινα Κυρηναῖον

Luke uses this phrase to introduce this new character into the story. Alternate translation: [a man named Simon, who was from the city of Cyrene]

Note 4 topic: translate-names

Κυρηναῖον

Cyrenian

The term Cyrenean is a name that refers to a person who is from the city of Cyrene.

ἐρχόμενον ἀπ’ ἀγροῦ

coming from ˓the˒_country

Alternate translation: [who was coming into Jerusalem from the countryside]

ἐπέθηκαν αὐτῷ τὸν σταυρὸν

˱they˲_put_on ˱to˲_him (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ὡς ἀπήγαγον αὐτόν ἐπιλαβόμενοι Σίμωνα τινά Κυρηναῖον ἐρχόμενον ἀπʼ ἀγροῦ ἐπέθηκαν αὐτῷ τόν σταυρόν φέρειν ὄπισθεν τοῦ Ἰησοῦ)

Alternate translation: [the soldiers put the cross on his shoulders]

ὄπισθεν τοῦ Ἰησοῦ

behind ¬the Jesus

Alternate translation: [and made him walk along behind Jesus carrying it]

Parallel LUKE 23:26