It is possible that Simon was not a stranger in Jerusalem but residing a fair distance from Jerusalem, he may not have had the privilege of hearing Christ preach. B. Father of Alexander and Rufus. Normally, under Roman law, the convicted criminal had about 10 days from conviction to death. However, in Christ's case, He barely had time enough to breathe. This was totally rushed from beginning to end.
Fear makes cowards out of man.
This is seemingly what happened with His disciples. The burden was laid upon Simon. So it is with sin. Simon carried his burden to Golgotha's Hill. Then, Christ took the burden of sin from the life of Simon and bore it in Simon's place.