Matthew 27:31-33

New English Translation

Footnotes

1. Matthew 27:31 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
2. Matthew 27:31 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
3. Matthew 27:32 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
4. Matthew 27:32 tn Or “conscripted”; or “pressed into service.”
5. Matthew 27:32 sn Jesus was beaten severely with a whip before this (the prelude to crucifixion, known to the Romans as verberatio, mentioned in Matt 27:26; Mark 15:15; John 19:1), so he would have been weak from trauma and loss of blood. Apparently he was unable to bear the cross himself, so Simon was conscripted to help (in all probability this was only the crossbeam, called in Latin the patibulum, since the upright beam usually remained in the ground at the place of execution). Cyrene was located in North Africa where Tripoli is today. Nothing more is known about this Simon. Mark 15:21 names him as father of two people apparently known to Mark’s audience.
6. Matthew 27:33 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.
7. Matthew 27:33 tn This is an Aramaic name; see John 19:17.
8. Matthew 27:33 sn A place called Golgotha (which means “Place of the Skull”). This location is north and just outside of Jerusalem. The hill on which it is located protruded much like a skull, giving the place its name. The Latin word for the Greek term κρανίον (kranion) is calvaria, from which the English word “Calvary” is derived (cf. Luke 23:33 in the KJV).