What About Simon?

I have watched several movies about Jesus, including his crucifixion. And if memory serves, all of them depicted him struggling up Calvary hill under a cross (or part of one). To that end, the following quotations are proffered.

"And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross." (Matthew 27:32).

"And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross." (Mark 15:21).

"And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus." (Luke 23:26).

"And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of the skull …" (John 19:17). (Note the lack of commas: "he bearing his cross went forth" rather than "he, bearing his cross, went forth".)

So what gives? Have the movie makers been taking artistic liberties? Whatever. Here’s to Simon, that unsung hero ignored by Golly Wood, who shouldered Jesus’ burden up to the hilltop of sorrows.