1. The Man on the Cross
This person is not specifically named in the Bible. However, since he is referred to as a thief and was sentenced to crucifixion, it is highly likely that he was someone who had rebelled against Rome. Normally, ordinary thieves would not be crucified; their hands might be cut off, but they would not receive this particular punishment. Therefore, in my story, I portrayed him as a Zealot who comes to recognize Jesus’ identity, providing a reason for his change of heart on the cross.
In Matthew and Mark, he insults Jesus, but in Luke, he rebukes the other criminal and makes a confession of faith. I wanted to explore why he underwent such a transformation, while also interpreting the meaning of Jesus’ words on the cross. Of course, this is simply a literary device for the novel, and there is no need to take it as fact.
2. Simon of Cyrene
The exact location of Cyrene is uncertain, but it is generally believed to have been near present-day Tripoli, Libya. At that time, Cyrene was a Greek-founded city where many Diaspora Jews had lived since ancient times. Simon of Cyrene was someone who traveled from this city to Jerusalem for Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. In the Bible, he is mentioned as the father of Alexander and Rufus. Rufus is thought to be the same person Paul refers to in Romans:
“Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who is a mother to me also.” (Romans 16:13, WEB)
From this, it can be inferred that the gospel entered their household after the event in which Simon carried Jesus’ cross. I combined his story with that of a young boy who met Joseph and Mary, creating a fictional narrative. This was added to conclude the boy’s story, so it should not be regarded as historical fact.
3. The Women by the Cross
The Gospels mention the names of women who were near the cross when Jesus was crucified:
“Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.” (Matthew 27:56, WEB)
“There were also women watching from afar, among whom were both Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome.” (Mark 15:40, WEB)
“But there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.” (John 19:25, WEB)
Many people compare these four names and conclude that Mary, the mother of James the less and of Joses, is the same person as Mary the wife of Clopas, and that Jesus’ aunt, Salome, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee (James and John) are the same individual. If this is the case, then Jesus’ disciples James and John would be his cousins, which could explain why Jesus entrusted his mother to their care. This interpretation also helps explain why Jesus traveled with these two men separately and why their mother asked Jesus to let her sons sit at his right and left. However, one should be cautious about accepting this as absolute fact.
This caution is necessary because many other women were present near the cross at that time:
“Many women were there watching from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, serving him.” (Matthew 27:55, WEB)
“who, when he was in Galilee, followed him and served him; and many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem were there.” (Mark 15:41, WEB)
If we consider that the Gospel writers only recorded some names from among the many women present, it is not necessary to identify all these women as the same person to have a consistent understanding. Of course, it is possible that James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were Jesus’ cousins. This possibility is not denied, but it is also not the only correct interpretation from a biblical perspective. This explanation is offered to encourage thoughtful consideration rather than to present a definitive conclusion.
