They forced a passerby, named Simon of Cyrene [Note: This was a city in the northern African country of Libya], the father of Alexander and Rufus, who was coming in from the countryside, to go with them so he could carry Jesus' cross [i.e., probably only the cross-beam portion].

Greetings to Rufus, an outstanding servant in [the service of] the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me also.