# a reed

"a stick" or "a staff"

# bent their knees

A person who kneels bends his knees, so those who kneel are sometimes said to "bend their knees." AT: "kneeled" or "knelt" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

# they forced him to carry his cross

According to Roman law, a solider could force a man he came upon along the road to carry a load. In this case, they forced Simon to carry Jesus' cross.

# from the country

"from outside the city"

# A certain man, ... Rufus), and

This is background information about the man whom the soldiers forced to carry Jesus' cross. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])

# Simon ... Alexander ... Rufus

These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

# Cyrene

This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

# translationWords

* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/mock]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/crucify]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/cross]]