MARK 15:21 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

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

Key: khaki:verbs, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor.
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 they press into service a certain passerby, Simon, a Cyrenean (the father of Alexander and Rufus), coming from the country, so that he might carry his cross.

UST Meanwhile, a man was walking nearby. He had left the farm areas and was entering the city of Jerusalem. He was from the city of Cyrene, and his name was Simon. His sons were Alexander and Rufus. The soldiers forced this man to carry the cross for Jesus.

BSB [Now] Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and [the soldiers] forced [him] to carry the cross of [Jesus].

BLB And they compel one passing by, Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, coming from the country, that he might carry His cross.

AICNT And they compel a certain passerby, Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.

OEB ¶ They led Jesus out to crucify him; and they compelled a passer-by, Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to go with them to carry his cross.

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

WMBB (Same as above)

NET The soldiers forced a passerby to carry his cross, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country (he was the father of Alexander and Rufus).

LSV And they impress a certain one passing by—Simon, a Cyrenian, coming from the field, the father of Alexander and Rufus—that he may carry His cross,

FBV They forced a passer-by, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the countryside, to carry his cross. Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus.

TCNT Now a certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the countryside. The soldiers pressed him into service, forcing him to carry Jesus' cross,

T4T After Jesus carried his cross a short distance, a man named Simon from Cyrene city came along. He was the father of Alexander and Rufus. He was passing by while he was returning home from outside the city. The soldiers compelled Simon to carry the cross for Jesus.

LEB ¶ And they forced a certain man who was passing by, Simon of Cyrene (the father of Alexander and Rufus), who was coming from the country, to carry his cross.

BBE 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.

Moff They forced Simon a Cyrenian who was passing on his way from the country (the father of Alexander and Rufus) to carry his cross,

Wymth One Simon, a Cyrenaean, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing along, coming from the country: him they compelled to carry His cross.

ASV 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.

DRA 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.

YLT 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,

Drby 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.

RV 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.

SLT And they constrain a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, passing by, coming from the field, the father of Alexander and Rufus, that he might take up his cross.

Wbstr And they constrain one Simon, a Cyrenian, who was passing by, coming from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.

KJB-1769 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.

KJB-1611 And they compell one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, comming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to beare his Crosse.
(And they compell one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his Cross.)

Bshps And they compelled one that passed by, called Simon of Cyrene (commyng out of the fielde, the father of Alexander and Rufus) to beare his crosse.
(And they compelled one that passed by, called Simon of Cyrene (comming out of the field, the father of Alexander and Rufus) to bear his crosse.)

Gnva And they compelled one that passed by, called Simon of Cyrene (which came out of the countrey, and was father of Alexander and Rufus) to beare his crosse.
(And they compelled one that passed by, called Simon of Cyrene (which came out of the country, and was father of Alexander and Rufus) to bear his crosse. )

Cvdl And they compelled one that passed by, called Symon of Cyren (which came from the felde, and was the father of Alexander and Ruffus) to beare his crosse.
(And they compelled one that passed by, called Simon of Cyren (which came from the field, and was the father of Alexander and Ruffus) to bear his crosse.)

TNT And they compelled one that passed by called Symon of Cyrene (which cam oute of the felde and was father of Alexander and Rufus) to beare his crosse.
(And they compelled one that passed by called Simon of Cyrene (which came out of the field and was father of Alexander and Rufus) to bear his crosse. )

Wycl And thei compelliden a man that passide the weie, that cam fro the toun, Symount of Syrenen, the fader of Alisaundir and of Rufe, to bere his cross.
(And they compelliden a man that passed the way, that came from the town, Simon of Syrenen, the fader of Alisaundir and of Rufe, to bear his cross.)

Luth Und zwangen einen, der vorüberging, mit Namen Simon von Kyrene; der vom Felde kam (der ein Vater war des Alexander und Rufus), daß er ihm das Kreuz trüge.
(And zwangen a, the/of_the passed_by, with name(s) Simon from Kyrene; the/of_the from_the field came (der a father what/which the Alexander and Rufus), that he him the Kreuz deceptive.)

ClVg Et angariaverunt prætereuntem quempiam, Simonem Cyrenæum venientem de villa, patrem Alexandri et Rufi, ut tolleret crucem ejus.[fn]
(And angariaverunt passing_by someone, Simonem Cyrenæum coming from/about villa, father Alexandri and Rufi, as would_take_away cross/frame his. )

15.21 Et angariaverunt. BEDA. Ipse Dominus primo crucem suam portavit, sicut Joannes dicit: Post iste Simon, de quo et alii dicunt, et hoc satis congruo ordine mysterii. Christus enim passus pro nobis, vobis relinquens exemplum ut sequamini vestigia ejus Joan. XIX; I Petr. 2.. HIER. Simon qui portat crucem in angaria, hic est qui laborat pro laude humana. Cogunt eum homines huic labori quem non cogit timor vel dilectio Dei. Patrem Alexandri. Magnæ opinionis Simon iste videtur esse, cum et filii ejus tanquam noti omnibus ex nomine designantur. HIER. Alii per merita patrum suorum commemorantur, alii per merita filiorum. Hic autem Simon, etc., usque ad unde: per Jeremiam ad Judæam dicitur: Olivam uberem, pulchram, fructiferam, speciosam vocavit Dominus nomen tuum.

15.21 And angariaverunt. BEDA. Exactly_that Master at_first cross/frame his_own carried, like Yoannes he_says: After this Simon, from/about where and others they_say, and this enough congruo in_order mysteries. Christ/Messiah because suffered for us, to_you(pl) leaving exemplum as sequamini footsteps his Yohan 19; I Petr. 2.. HIER. Simon who/which carries cross/frame in/into/on angaria, this/here it_is who/which works for praise human. Cogunt him people/men to_this worki which not/no forces fear or love/delight of_God. Father Alexandri. Magnæ opinionis Simon this it_seems to_be, when/with and children his as_if noti to_all from by_name are_designated. HIER. Others through merits of_the_fathers of_his_own commemorantur, others through merits of_children. Here/This however Simon, etc., until to from_where/who: through Yeremiam to Yudeam it_is_said: Olivam uberem, beautiful, fruitful, beautiful he_called Master name your(sg).

UGNT καὶ ἀγγαρεύουσιν, παράγοντά τινα Σίμωνα Κυρηναῖον, ἐρχόμενον ἀπ’ ἀγροῦ, τὸν πατέρα Ἀλεξάνδρου καὶ Ῥούφου, ἵνα ἄρῃ τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ.
(kai angareuousin, paragonta tina Simōna Kuraʸnaion, erⱪomenon ap’ agrou, ton patera Alexandrou kai Ɽoufou, hina araʸ ton stauron autou.)

SBL-GNT Καὶ ἀγγαρεύουσιν παράγοντά τινα Σίμωνα Κυρηναῖον ἐρχόμενον ἀπʼ ἀγροῦ, τὸν πατέρα Ἀλεξάνδρου καὶ Ῥούφου, ἵνα ἄρῃ τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ.
(Kai angareuousin paragonta tina Simōna Kuraʸnaion erⱪomenon apʼ agrou, ton patera Alexandrou kai Ɽoufou, hina araʸ ton stauron autou.)

RP-GNT Καὶ ἀγγαρεύουσιν παράγοντά τινα Σίμωνα Κυρηναῖον, ἐρχόμενον ἀπ' ἀγροῦ, τὸν πατέρα Ἀλεξάνδρου καὶ Ῥούφου, ἵνα ἄρῃ τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ.
(Kai angareuousin paragonta tina Simōna Kuraʸnaion, erⱪomenon ap' agrou, ton patera Alexandrou kai Ɽoufou, hina araʸ ton stauron autou.)

TC-GNT Καὶ ἀγγαρεύουσι παράγοντά τινα Σίμωνα Κυρηναῖον, ἐρχόμενον ἀπ᾽ ἀγροῦ, τὸν πατέρα Ἀλεξάνδρου καὶ Ῥούφου, ἵνα ἄρῃ τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ.
(Kai angareuousi paragonta tina Simōna Kuraʸnaion, erⱪomenon ap agrou, ton patera Alexandrou kai Ɽoufou, hina araʸ ton stauron autou. )

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

SOTN SIL Open Translation Notes:

Section 15:21–32: The soldiers nailed Jesus to a cross

In this section, Jesus was crucified. This is the climax of the book of Mark. Three times Jesus had predicted these events (8:31, 9:31, and 10:33–34). Now they really happened. Mark has presented Jesus as the Messiah and King who the prophets in the Old Testament predicted would come. By dying on the cross, Jesus did what the Messiah had to do to save his people.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

The soldiers fastened Jesus to a cross to kill him

Jesus was executed on a cross

The crucifixion of Jesus

There are parallel passages for this section in Matthew 27:32–44, Luke 23:26–43, and John 19:17–27.

15:21

This verse introduces a new character in the story (Simon). It gives some details about him and tells what he did. See the General Comment on 15:21a–b at the end of 15:21b for suggestions on how to change the order of the information in this verse.

15:21a

Now Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country,

¶ There was a certain man named Simon who was from Cyrene. (He was the father of Alexander and Rufus.) At that moment, he was coming into the city from the rural area outside of it.
¶ As they were going out of the city, a man was by chance coming into it. His name was Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus. He was from the city of Cyrene.

Verse 15:21a introduces Simon and gives several details about him. Some English versions (for example, the GNT) place some of these details in parentheses to show that they are background information. Translate this information in a way and in an order that is natural in your language.

Now Simon of Cyrene: This is the first (and only) mention of this Simon in Mark. Consider how you would naturally introduce a new person into the story in your language.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

There was a certain man. His name was Simon. He came from the town of Cyrene.

There was a certain man from Cyrene named Simon.

At that moment a man named Simon was passing by. He was from Cyrene.

of Cyrene: Cyrene is the name of a city. It was on the coast of north Africa in what is present-day Libya. Simon was of Cyrene in the sense that it was his home town.

the father of Alexander and Rufus: Mark mentioned that Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus. He probably included this information because he expected his readers to know these men.

was passing by: The verb was passing by indicates that Simon was by chance walking by. He was walking by at the time when the soldiers were looking for someone to carry Jesus’ cross. He was not part of the group that went out with Jesus toward the place where Jesus was crucified.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

Simon…happened to be coming in (CEV)

Simon…was coming in from the country just then. (NLT96)

Simon…was on his way in from the country and was there by chance/accident.

on his way in from the country: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as on his way in from the country is literally “coming from (the) field/countryside.” Here it means that Simon was coming into the city from the rural area outside of it. Try to use a general expression that indicates that he was coming from an area that was not a “town” or “city.”

In some languages, you may want to say that he was coming “into the city.” If you do, it may not be necessary to explicitly translate the phrase from the country.

15:21b

and the soldiers forced him to carry the cross of Jesus.

The soldiers forced him/Simon to carry the cross.
The soldiers ordered him to carry the cross to the place where they would crucify Jesus.
The soldiers ordered him, “Take^(sing) this cross and carry it!”

and the soldiers forced him to carry the cross of Jesus: It was the custom for Roman soldiers to force a criminal to carry his own cross. Jesus started to carry his cross (see John 19:17), but it is implied that he became too tired to carry it any further. You may want to explain this in a footnote. For example:

Jesus carried the cross first (see John 19:17). When he could not carry it any further, the soldiers forced Simon to carry it. Roman soldiers had a legal right to command anyone to carry something for them.

forced him to carry: The Greek word that the BSB translates as forced refers to the authority that soldiers could use to force someone to carry something for them. Some English versions translate this word with a specific military term. For example:

drafted (NET)

enlisted (NJB)

pressed into service (NASB)

Here are some other ways to translate the phrase forced him to carry:

ordered him to carry

forced/caused him to carry against his will

In some languages it may be natural to translate the idea of forced him to carry as direct speech. For example:

…and they ordered him, “You, take this cross and carry it for this man.”

the cross: A cross refers to two large wooden boards or beams that were attached to each other. Roman soldiers used crosses to kill criminals. They nailed or tied a criminal to these wooden beams, then set them upright. They did this in order to cause the criminal to die slowly and painfully.

The word cross comes from the fact that the beams were crossed and attached. This made the shape of a + 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 8:34d.

General Comment on 15:21a–b

This verse contains (a) some background information about Simon and (b) a main event in the story. The BSB gives the background information first. In other languages it may be more natural to state what happened first and then to give the background information.

Here are some examples of ways to order the information in this verse:

And they compelled a passer-by, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. (RSV)

They ordered a man named Simon to carry the cross for Jesus. This Simon was from Cyrene and was the father of Alexander and Rufus. He was just coming into town from the rural area at that moment.

On the way they met a man named Simon, who was coming into the city from the country, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross. (Simon was from Cyrene and was the father of Alexander and Rufus.) (GNT)

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: writing-participants

καὶ ἀγγαρεύουσιν, παράγοντά τινα Σίμωνα Κυρηναῖον, ἐρχόμενον ἀπ’ ἀγροῦ, τὸν πατέρα Ἀλεξάνδρου καὶ Ῥούφου, ἵνα ἄρῃ τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ἀγγαρεύουσιν παράγοντα τινά Σίμωνα Κυρηναῖον ἐρχόμενον ἀπʼ ἀγροῦ τόν πατέρα Ἀλεξάνδρου καί Ῥούφου ἵνα ἄρῃ τόν σταυρόν αὐτοῦ)

Here Mark introduces Simon as a new participant in the story. If your language has its own way of introducing new participants, you could use it here in your translation. Alternate translation: [And a certain man was passing by, Simon, a Cyrenean (the father of Alexander and Rufus). He was coming from the country. They pressed him into service so that he might carry his cross]

Note 2 topic: translate-unknown

ἀγγαρεύουσιν

˱they˲_˓are˒_compelling

According to Roman law, Roman soldiers could press someone into service, which means that they could force a person to carry a load for them or work for them. In this case, they forced Simon to carry Jesus’ cross. If your readers would not be familiar with this type of forced service, you could use the name of something similar in your area or you could use a more general term. Alternate translation: [they conscripted] or [they compelled to work for them]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἀγγαρεύουσιν

˱they˲_˓are˒_compelling

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of service, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: [they forced to serve them]

Note 4 topic: translate-names

Σίμωνα & Ἀλεξάνδρου & Ῥούφου

Simon & ˱of˲_Alexander & Rufus

The words Simon, Alexander, and Rufus are the names of men.

Note 5 topic: writing-background

Κυρηναῖον & τὸν πατέρα Ἀλεξάνδρου καὶ Ῥούφου

Cyrenian & (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί ἀγγαρεύουσιν παράγοντα τινά Σίμωνα Κυρηναῖον ἐρχόμενον ἀπʼ ἀγροῦ τόν πατέρα Ἀλεξάνδρου καί Ῥούφου ἵνα ἄρῃ τόν σταυρόν αὐτοῦ)

The phrases a Cyrenean and the father of Alexander and Rufus include background information about the man whom the soldiers forced to carry Jesus’ cross. Use a natural form in your language for expressing background information. Alternate translation: [who was a Cyrenean and who was the father of Alexander and Rufus]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἐρχόμενον ἀπ’ ἀγροῦ

coming from ˓the˒_country

Here Mark implies that Simon was coming from the farmlands outside Jerusalem and going toward Jerusalem. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make that idea more explicit. Alternate translation: [coming into Jerusalem from outside the city]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / go

ἐρχόμενον

coming

In a context such as this, your language might say “going” instead of coming. Alternate translation: [going]

Note 8 topic: grammar-connect-logic-goal

ἵνα

in_order_that

The phrase so that introduces the purpose for which they pressed Simon into service, namely so that they could require him to carry Jesus’ cross. Use a natural form in your language for introducing a purpose clause. Alternate translation: [in order that]

Parallel MARK 15:21

Section 15:21–32: The soldiers nailed Jesus to a cross

15:21

15:21a

15:21b

General Comment on 15:21a–b

Jesus’ Arrest, Trial, Crucifixion, and Burial