{Compelled} ((8867)gareusan). This word of Persian origin was
used in  Mt 5:41 , which see. There are numerous papyri examples
of Ptolemaic date and it survives in modern Greek vernacular. So
the soldiers treat Simon of Cyrene (a town of Libya) as a Persian
courier (aggaros) and impress him into service, probably
because Jesus was showing signs of physical weakness in bearing
his own Cross as the victims had to do, and not as a mere jest on
Simon. "Gethsemane, betrayal, the ordeal of the past sleepless
night, scourging, have made the flesh weak" (Bruce). Yes, and the
burden of sin of the world that was breaking his heart. {His
cross} (	on stauron autou). Jesus had used the term cross about
himself ( 16:24 ). It was a familiar enough picture under Roman
rule. Jesus had long foreseen and foretold this horrible form of
death for himself ( Mt 20:19  23:24  26:2 ). He had heard the cry
of the mob to Pilate that he be crucified ( 27:22 ) and Pilate's
surrender ( 27:26 ) and he was on the way to the Cross ( 27:31 ).
There were various kinds of crosses and we do not know precisely
the shape of the Cross on which Jesus was crucified, though
probably the one usually presented is correct. Usually the victim
was nailed (hands and feet) to the cross before it was raised and
it was not very high. The crucifixion was done by the soldiers
( 27:35 ) in charge and two robbers were crucified on each side
of Jesus, three crosses standing in a row ( 27:38 ).