Mark 15:21
ESV - 21 And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.
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Rufus was the brother of Alexander and the Son of Simon of Cyrene. Simon carried the cross of Jesus. It is curious that Rufus is greeted by Paul in Romans 16:13; "Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine," is the Apostle's affectionate phrase. If the two references are to one man, it may be conjectured that Simon or Simon's widow became a Christian, and emigrated from Cyrene to Rome, this being the reason for Mark's cryptic reference. Mark was probably writing in Rome. The people there were likely familiar with Rufus.
Rufus was mentioned twice in the Bible. Mark 15:21 KJ21: “And they compelled one Simon, a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, who was passing by, coming from the country, to bear His cross.” This Rufus was son of Simon the Cyrenian who was compelled to carry the cross of Jesus Christ, whose brother was Alexander. The other Rufus is found in Romans 16:13: “Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.” This Rufus was one of the Christian believers that Paul sent letter of greetings and salutation to towards the end of his letter to the Romans. The mother of this Rufus was also a Christian believer. There is nothing in the Bible to indicate that the two are the same person.
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