# 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]])

# from the country

"from outside the city"

# he was the father of Alexander and Rufus

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


# 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.