Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Luke 23:26. It’s a really important part of the story of Jesus’ arrest and trial. Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, they were about to take Jesus away from his people. "As they led him away..." – This describes what was happening – Jesus was being taken to the place where he would be punished. "...they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian..." – “Lay holding” means to grasp or secure something. This refers to a Jewish man named Simon who had been out of the country. He was a poor, injured man who had come to Jesus seeking help. "...and on him they laid the cross..." – This is the key part. They placed the cross – which is a very important symbol of sacrifice and suffering – on Simon. The cross represents Jesus’ death as a final act of atonement for our sins. So, what's happening next? They were about to put him on the cross. The verse says they “laid hold upon” him, which means they firmly grasped him. It was his fate to bear the cross. Why is this significant? This verse shows: Jesus’ Sacrifice: It highlights that Jesus willingly took the punishment for our sins – a big deal in Christian belief. Importance of Simon: It emphasizes Simon's role as a witness and a participant in this event, even though he wasn't part of the original group who brought him to Jesus. In short, it’s a pivotal moment where Jesus was deliberately placed on the cross, marking his death and setting the stage for his resurrection. --- Do you want me to explain any of these parts in more detail? Perhaps you'd like to know: What "Cyrenian" means? What does the cross symbolize?