And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.
Ver. 32. They found a man of Cyrene] A stranger, coming out of the field towards Jerusalem, meets with an unexpected cross, and follows Christ, which occasioned him to inquire into the cause, and got him renown among the saints. In like sort, the faithful Christian (a stranger upon earth) comes out of the field of this world, with his face set toward Sion, and meets with many crosses by the way. But all while he follows Christ, let him inquire into the cause, and the issue shall be glorious.
Him they compelled to bear his cross] Not so much to ease Christ, who fainted under the burden, as to hasten the execution, and to keep him alive till he came to it. See Trapp on " Joh 19:17 "