Luke 23:26,27 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

And as they led him away After he had been barbarously scourged and mocked, as is recorded, Matthew 27:26-31, and Mark 15:15-20, where see the notes; they laid hold on one Simon, coming out of the country Who was probably a friend of Christ's, and known to be so; and on him they laid the cross Which doubtless was done to put a reproach upon him; that he might bear it after Jesus Lest Jesus should faint under it, and die away, and so prevent the farther instances of the malice which they designed. See on Matthew 27:32. And there followed him a great company of people Especially of women. These were not only his friends and well-wishers, but many others of the common people, who were not his enemies, and were moved with compassion toward him, because they had seen, or at least heard of, his wonderful works, and what a wise, holy, and benevolent man he was, and had reason to think he suffered unjustly; this drew a great crowd after him, some of whom were influenced by pity, others probably by curiosity; but they also, as well as those that were his particular friends, bewailed and lamented him So that, though there were many that reproached and reviled him, yet there were some that valued him, were sorry for him, and sympathized with him in his sufferings. Observe, reader, the sufferings and death of the Lord Jesus may move the natural affections of many who are strangers to devout affections; and those may bewail Christ who do not savingly believe in him, and truly love him.