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Matthew 5:41

Matthew 5:41 in Multiple Translations

and if someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.

And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

And whosoever shall compel thee to go one mile, go with him two.

And whoever makes you go one mile, go with him two.

If someone demands that you go one mile, go with them two.

And whosoeuer will compell thee to goe a mile, goe with him twaine.

'And whoever shall impress thee one mile, go with him two,

Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.

And whoever shall constrain thee to go one mile, go with him two.

And whosoever will force thee one mile, go with him other two,

If a military authority compels you to go with him one mile and carry his gear, go with him two miles and carry his gear.

Or a soldier might tell you, ‘Carry my bag for a kilometre.’ All right, help him more than that. Carry it for 2 kilometres.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Matthew 5:41

BAB
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Matthew 5:41 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
GRK και οστις σε αγγαρευσει μιλιον εν υπαγε μετ αυτου δυο
και kai G2532 and Conj
οστις hostis, hētis G3748 who/which Rel-NSM
σε su G4771 you Pron-2AS
αγγαρευσει angareuō G29 to force Verb-FAI-3S
μιλιον milion G3400 mile Noun-ASN
εν ehis G1520 one Adj-ASN
υπαγε hupagō G5217 to go Verb-PAM-2S
μετ meta G3326 with/after Prep
αυτου autos G846 it/s/he Pron-GSM
δυο duo G1417 two Adj-NUI
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Greek Word Reference — Matthew 5:41

και kai G2532 "and" Conj
And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.
Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.
οστις hostis, hētis G3748 "who/which" Rel-NSM
This word means 'who' or 'which' and is used to ask about someone or something's identity, like in Matthew 5:39. It's often used to make general statements.
Definition: ὅστις, ἥτις, ὅ τι (also written ὅ, τι and ὅτι; see LS, see word; WH, §411; Tdf., Pr., 111), in NT scarcely ever except in nom. (M, Pr., 91), the only instance of the oblique cases being found in ἕως ὅτου (see: ἕως), relative of indef. reference (related to simple ὅς as Lat. quisquis to qui), whoever, anyone who; __(a) of an indef. person or thing: in general statements, Mat.5:39, 41 13:12, and freq., Luk.14:27, Gal.5:4, al.; in relative sentences, Mat.7:26, Luk.15:7, Php.3:7, al.; πᾶς, with indic., Mat.7:24 10:32; ὅ ἄν (ἐάν), with subjc., Mat.12:50 13:12, Jhn.14:13, 1Co.16:2, Gal.5:10, al.; __(b) of a definite person or thing, indicating quality, "either generic, which, as other like things, or essential, which by its very nature" (Hort on 1Pe.2:11), who is such as: Mat.2:6 7:26, Luk.2:10 7:37, Jhn.8:53, Act.7:53, Rom.6:2, 1Co.3:17, Gal.4:24, Eph.1:23, al.; __(with) where the relative sentence expresses a reason, consequence, etc. (M, Pr., 92), seeing that he (it, they), and he (it, they): Luk.8:3 10:42, Act.10:47 11:28, Php.4:3, al.; __(d) as in Ionic and late Greek (Bl., §50, 1; M, Pr., l.with), differing but little from ὅς: Luk.2:4 9:30, Act.17:10, Rev.12:13. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 136 NT verses. KJV: X and (they), (such) as, (they) that, in that they, what(-soever), whereas ye, (they) which, who(-soever) See also: 1 Corinthians 3:17; Luke 2:4; 1 Peter 2:11.
σε su G4771 "you" Pron-2AS
This Greek word means 'you' and is used to address someone directly, like in John 1:30 and Matthew 26:64. It's a way to emphasize or contrast the person being spoken to. The KJV Bible translates it as 'thou'.
Definition: σύ, pron. of 2nd of person(s), thou, you, genitive, σοῦ, dative, σοί, accusative, σέ, pl., ὑμεῖς, -ῶν, -ῖν, -ᾶς (enclitic in oblique cases sing., except after prep. (BL, §48, 3), though πρὸς σέ occurs in Mat.25:39). Nom. for emphasis or contrast: Jhn.1:30, 4:10, 5:33, 39, 44, Act.4:7, Eph.5:32; so also perhaps σὺ εἶπας, Mat.26:64, al. (M, Pr., 86); before voc., Mat.2:6, Luk.1:76, Jhn.17:5, al.; sometimes without emphasis (M, Pr., 85f.), as also in cl., but esp. as rendering of Heb. phrase, e.g. υἱός μου εἶ σύ (בְּנִי־אַתָּה, Psa.2:7), Act.13:33. The genitive (σοῦ, ὑμῶν) is sometimes placed bef. the noun: Luk.7:48, 12:30, al.; so also the enclitic σοῦ, Mat.9:6; on τί ἐμοὶ κ. σοί, see: ἐγώ. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2041 NT verses. KJV: thou See also: 1 Corinthians 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Peter 1:2.
αγγαρευσει angareuō G29 "to force" Verb-FAI-3S
This word means to force someone to do something, like a courier being pressed into public service. It appears in Matthew 5:41 and Mark 15:21. The Bible translates it as 'compel' or 'force'.
Definition: ἀγγαρεύω (from the Persian; cf. Vg. angiare, and the Heb. אִגֶרֶת; on the orthogr., see Bl., §6, 1; M, Pr., 46), to impress into public service, employ a courier; hence, to compel to perform a service (prob. common in the vernac.; cf. Deiss., BS, 86f., MM, Exp., iv; VGT, see word): Mat.5:41, 27:32, Mrk.15:21.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 3 NT verses. KJV: compel (to go) See also: Mark 15:21; Matthew 5:41; Matthew 27:32.
μιλιον milion G3400 "mile" Noun-ASN
A mile was a unit of distance in ancient Rome, equivalent to 1000 paces, as seen in Roman writings. It was used to measure long distances, like those traveled by the apostle Paul on his missionary journeys.
Definition: a Roman mile, milliarium , = 1000 paces,= 8 stades, = 1680 yards, i. e. 80 yards less than our mile, (Polybius Historicus), etc. (ML)
Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: mile See also: Matthew 5:41.
εν ehis G1520 "one" Adj-ASN
The Greek word for one, used to describe unity or agreement, as seen in John 10:30 and Romans 12:4-5. It emphasizes oneness and togetherness. This concept is key in Christian teachings.
Definition: εἷς ιά, ἕν, genitive ἑνός, μιᾶς, ἑνός, cardinal numeral, one; __1. one, as opposite to many: Mat.25:15, Rom.5:12, 1Co.10:8, al.; as subst., Rom.5:15, Eph.2:14; id. with genitive partit., Mat.5:19, al.; before ἐκ (ἐξ), Mrk.14:18, Jhn.6:8, al.; metaphorically, of union and concord, Jhn.10:30 17:11, Rom.12:4-5, Php.1:27; ἀπὸ μιᾶς (B1., § 44, 1), Luk.14:18; with neg., εἷς. . . οὐ (μή), more emphatic than οὐδείς, no one, none (cl.), Mat.5:18 10:29, Luk.11:46 12:6. __2. Emphatically, to the exclusion of others; __(a) a single (one): Mat.21:24, Mrk.8:14; absol., 1Co.9:24, al.; οὐδὲ εἷς, Mat.27:14, Jhn.1:3, Rom.3:10, al.; __(b) one, alone: Mrk.2:7 10:18, Luk.18:19; __(with) one and the same: Rom.3:30, 1Co.3:8 11:5 12:11, 1Jn.5:8. __3. In late Gk., with weakened force, = τις or indef. art. (of. Heb. אֶחָד, Gen.22:13, al.; see B1., § 45, 2; M, Pr., 96 f.): Mat.8:19 19:6, Rev.8:13, al.; εἷς τις (Bl., l.with), Luk.22:50, Jhn.11:49 __4. Distributively: εἷς καστος (cl.), Luk.4:40, Act.2:6, al.; εἷς . . . καὶ εἷς (cl., εἷς μὲν . . . εἷς δέ), Mat.17:4, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.20:12, al. (cf. LXX and use of Heb. אֶחָד, Exo.17:12, al); ὁ εἷς . . . ὁ ἕτερος (ἄλλος) = cl. ὁ μὲν (ἕτερος) . . . ὁ δέ (ἕτερος), Mat.6:24, Luk.7:41, Rev.17:10; καθ᾽ εἷς, εἷς κ. είς (in which καθ᾽ is adverbial, or the expression formed from the analogy of ἕν καθ᾽ ἔν; M, Pr., 105), one by one, severally: Mrk.14:19, Rom.12:5, al.; εἷς τὸν ἕνα = ἀλλήλους (B1., 45, 2; M, Pr., 246), 1Th.5:11. __5. As ordinal = πρῶτος (like Heb. אֶחָד; Bl., § 45, 1; M, Pr., 95 f.), first: Mat.28:1, Mrk.16:2, al (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 291 NT verses. KJV: a(-n, -ny, certain), + abundantly, man, one (another), only, other, some See also: 1 Corinthians 3:8; John 12:4; Hebrews 2:11.
υπαγε hupagō G5217 "to go" Verb-PAM-2S
To go or depart is the meaning of this word, used in Matthew 8:3 when Jesus heals a leper and tells him to go show himself to the priests. It means to withdraw or retire from a place or situation.
Definition: ὑπ-άγω [in LXX: Exo.14:21 (הָלַךְ hi.), elsewhere only as seel., Tob.8:21, al. ;] a word of the vulgar language, in Pres. and imperfect only (Bl., § 53, 1). __I. Trans. __1. to lead or bring under, subdue (Hom., Hdt., al.; Ex, l.with). __2. to lead on slowly (Hdt., Xen., al.). __II. Intrans., to go slowly away, withdraw oneself, depart (so less frequently in cl.; Thuc., Eur., al.): absol., Mat.8:32 13:44, Mrk.6:33, Luk.8:42 17:14, Jhn.6:67 8:2 11:44 14:5, 28 18:8; οἱ ἐρχόμενοι κ. οἱ ὑπάγοντες, Mrk.6:31; ὑπῆγον κ. ἐπίστευον, Jhn.12:11; ἵνα ὑπαγῆτε κ. καρπὸν ψέρητε, Jhn.15:16; opposite to ἔρχεσθαι, Jhn.3:8 8:14; imperat., ὕπαγε, Mat.4:10 8:13 20:14, Mrk.2:9 T, Mrk.7:29 10:52; εἰς εἰρήνην (ἐν εἰ.), Mrk.5:34, Jas.2:16; id. prefixed to another imperat. (Bl., § 79, 4), Mat.5:34 8:4 18:15 19:21 21:28 27:65 28:10, Mrk.1:44 10:21 16:7, Jhn.4:16 9:7, Rev.10:8; with καί inserted, Rev.16:1; euphemistically, of death, Mat.26:24, Mrk.14:21; with adv.: ποῦ (which see), Jhn.12:35 14:5 16:5, 1Jn.2:11; ὅπου (which see), Jhn.8:21-22 13:33, 36 14:4 Rev.14:4; ἐκεῖ, Jhn.11:8; with prep.: πρός, Jhn.7:33 13:3 16:5, 10 16:17; εἰς, Mat.9:6 20:4, 7, Mrk.2:11 11:2 14:13, Luk.19:30, Jhn.6:21 7:3 9:11 11:31, Rev.13:10 17:8, 11; εἰς . . . πρός, Mat.26:18, Mrk.5:19; ἐπί, Luk.12:58; μετά, Mat.5:41; ὀπίσω, Mat.16:23, Mrk.8:33; with inf., Jhn.21:3.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 77 NT verses. KJV: depart, get hence, go (a-)way See also: 1 John 2:11; Mark 2:11; James 2:16.
μετ meta G3326 "with/after" Prep
Means with or after, showing accompaniment, as in being among a group or following someone, like Jesus with his disciples in Mark 1:13. It can also show cause and effect. The KJV translates it as after, among, or with. It is used in many New Testament books, including Matthew and Luke.
Definition: μετά (before vowel μετ᾽; on the neglect of elision in certain cases, V. WH, App., 146 b), prep. with genitive, accusative (in poet, also with dative), [in LXX for אַחַד ,עִם ,אֵת, etc.]. __I. C. genitive, __1. among, amid: Mrk.1:13, Luk.22:37 (LXX, ἐν) 24:5, Jhn.18:5, al.; διωγμῶν, Mrk.10:30. __2. Of association and companionship, with (in which sense it gradually superseded σύν, than which it is much more frequently in NT; cf. Bl., §42, 3): with genitive of person(s), Mat.8:11 20:20 Mrk.1:29 3:7 Luk.5:30, Jhn.3:22, Gal.2:1, al. mult.; εἶναι μετά, Mat.5:25, Mrk.3:14, al.; metaphorically, of divine help and guidance, Jhn.3:2, Act.7:9, Php.4:9, al.; opposite to εἶναι κατά, Mat.12:30, Luk.11:23; in Hellenistic usage (but see M, Pr., 106, 246f.), πολεμεῖν μετά = cl. π., with dative, to wage war against (so LXX for נִלְחַם עִם, 1Ki.17:33), Rev.2:16, al.; with genitive of thing(s), χαρᾶς, Mat.13:20, Mrk.4:16, al.; ὀργῆς, Mrk.3:5, al. __II. C. accusative, __1. of place, behind, after: Heb.9:3. __2. Of time, after: Mat.17:1, Mrk.14:1, Luk.1:24, Act.1:5, Gal.1:18, al.; μετὰ τοῦτο, Jhn.2:12, al.; ταῦτα, Mrk.16:[12], Luk.5:27, Jhn.3:22, al; with inf. artic. (BL, §71, 5; 72, 3), Mat.26:32, Mrk.1:14, al. __III. In composition, __1. of association or community: μεταδίδωμι, μετέχω, etc. __2. Exchange or transference: μεταλλάσσω, μετοικίζω, etc. __3. after: μεταμέλομαι. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 444 NT verses. KJV: after(-ward), X that he again, against, among, X and, + follow, hence, hereafter, in, of, (up-)on, + our, X and setting, since, (un-)to, + together, when, with (+ -out) See also: 1 Corinthians 6:6; Acts 25:12; 1 Peter 1:11.
αυτου autos G846 "it/s/he" Pron-GSM
This pronoun refers to a person or thing, like 'he', 'she', or 'it'. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a person or thing, like in John 2:25 where it says 'he himself knew'.
Definition: αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). __1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); __(1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; MM, see word); __(2) emphatic, he, she, it (M, Pr., 86; Bl., §48, 1, 2, 7), Mat.1:21, 12:50, Luk.6:35, al.; pointing to some one as master (cl.), Mat.8:24, Mrk.4:38, al.; αὐ., καὶ αὐ. = οὗτος, ὁ δε (BL, §48, 1), Mat.14:2, Mrk.14:15, 44, Luk.1:22, 2:28, al. __2. In oblique cases (cl.), for the simple pron. of 3rd of person(s), he, she, it, Mat.7:9, 10:12, 26:44, al.; with ptcp. in genitive absol., Mat.9:18, Mrk.13:1, al. (for irreg. constructions, V. Bl., §74, 5); pleonastically after the relative (cf. Heb. אֲשֶׁר לוֹ; WM, 184ff.; Bl., §50, 4; MM, see word), Mrk.7:25, Rev.3:8, 7:2, al.; in constr. ad sensum, without proper subject expressly indicated, Mat.4:23, Act.8:5, 2Co.2:13, al.; genitive αὐτοῦ = ἐκείνου, Rom.11:11, 1Th.2:19, Tit.3:5, Heb.2:4. __3. ὁ, ἡ, τὸ αὐ., the same: Heb.1:12, 13:8; τὸ αὐ., ποιεῖν, Mat.5:46, 47, al.; φρονεῖν, Rom.12:16, 15:5, Php.2:2, al.; τὰ αὐ., Act.15:27, Rom.2:1, al.; κατὰ τὸ (τὰ) αὐ. (MM, see word), Act.14:1, Luk.6:23, al.; ἐπὶ τὸ αὐ., together (MM, see word), Mat.22:34, Act.1:15, al.; ἓν κ. τὸ αὐ., 1Co.11:5, 12:11; with dative (cl.), 1Co.11:5; with a noun, λόγος, Mrk.14:39; μέτρος, Php.1:30; πνεῦμα, 1Co.12:4. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 3773 NT verses. KJV: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 John 3:10; 1 Peter 1:3.
δυο duo G1417 "two" Adj-NUI
Means two in number, used in Matthew 19:6 and Mark 10:8 to describe a married couple, and in Luke 10:1 to describe sending disciples out two by two.
Definition: δύο, numeral, indecl. exc. in dative, δυσί, δυσίν (Attic δυοῖν), two: Mat.19:6, Mrk.10:8, Jhn.2:6, al.; with pl. noun, Mat.9:27 10:10, al.; οἱ, τῶν, τοὺς δ., Mat.19:5 20:24, Mrk.10:8, Eph.2:15, al.; δ. ἐξ, Luk.24:13; distrib., ἀνὰ, κατὰ δ., two and two, two apiece: Luk.10:1 (WH, ἀνὰ δ. [δύο]), Jhn.2:6, 1Co.14:27; δύο δύο (= ἀνὰ δ., as LXX, Gen.6:19 for שְׁנַיִם שְׁנַיִם, but not merely "Hebraism," cf. μυρία μυρία, Æsch., Pers., 981, and for usage in π. and MGr., see M, Pr., 21, 97), Mrk.6:7; εἰς δ. (two and two, Xen., Cyr., 7, 5, 17), into two parts, Mat.27:51, Mrk.15:38. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 121 NT verses. KJV: both, twain, two See also: 1 Corinthians 6:16; Mark 6:7; Hebrews 6:18.

Study Notes — Matthew 5:41

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Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Luke 23:26 As the soldiers led Him away, they seized Simon of Cyrene on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him to carry behind Jesus.
2 Matthew 27:32 Along the way they found a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross of Jesus.
3 Mark 15:21 Now Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and the soldiers forced him to carry the cross of Jesus.

Matthew 5:41 Summary

In Matthew 5:41, Jesus teaches us to respond to difficult situations with love and humility, rather than resistance or retaliation. When someone is forcing us to do something, we can choose to go above and beyond what is required of us, just as Jesus did when He died on the cross for our sins (John 3:16, Romans 5:8). By doing so, we demonstrate the love and character of God to those around us, and bring glory to His name (Matthew 5:16, 1 Peter 2:12). This doesn't mean we let people take advantage of us, but rather that we choose to respond in a way that honors God and shows love to others, even when it's hard.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to be forced to go one mile, and why should I go two miles instead?

In the time of Jesus, Roman soldiers had the authority to compel civilians to carry their equipment for one mile, as stated in Matthew 5:41. By going two miles, we demonstrate a willingness to go above and beyond what is required of us, showing love and kindness even to those who may be taking advantage of us, as seen in Matthew 5:39-40 and Luke 6:27-31.

Is this verse telling me to let people take advantage of me?

While Matthew 5:41 may seem to suggest that, it's actually about responding to aggression or mistreatment with love and humility, rather than retaliation, as taught in Romans 12:14-21 and 1 Peter 2:20-23.

How does this verse relate to the concept of 'loving our enemies'?

In Matthew 5:43-48, Jesus teaches us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, which is in line with the idea of going the extra mile for someone who is forcing us to do something, as it shows we are willing to put their needs before our own, just as Jesus did on the cross, as seen in John 15:13 and Philippians 2:3-8.

What is the ultimate goal of going the extra mile for someone?

The goal is to demonstrate the love and humility of Christ, and to potentially bring that person to a knowledge of God's love, as stated in 1 Peter 2:12 and 3:15-16, and to bring glory to God, as seen in Matthew 5:16 and Colossians 3:17.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways I can 'go the extra mile' for someone in my life today, whether it's a family member, friend, or stranger?
  2. How can I respond to someone who is taking advantage of me or treating me unfairly, in a way that honors God and demonstrates His love?
  3. What are some areas in my life where I am resistant to 'going the extra mile', and how can I surrender those areas to God?
  4. How can I show love and kindness to someone who may not deserve it, just as God has shown love and kindness to me through Jesus Christ?
  5. What would happen if I started to 'go the extra mile' for those around me on a regular basis, and how might it impact my relationships and community?

Gill's Exposition on Matthew 5:41

And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile,.... The word αγγαρευσει, rendered "compel", is generally said to be of Persic original; the "Angari", among the Persians, were the king's messengers, or

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 5:41

And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 5:41

Ver. 39-41. The apostle Paul giveth the best exposition upon this text, ,21, Recompense to no man evil for evil. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. — Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. The general scope of our Saviour is that which they must observe, who would understand the sense of these words; they must not think that the particular things mentioned are their duty, but, 1. That it is the will of their Lord that they should not take any private revenge, but leave the avenging of their injuries unto God, and to the public magistrate, who is God’ s viceregent, before whom, notwithstanding any thing here said, they may seek a just satisfaction. 2. That in lighter cases we should rather remit the wrong done to us for peace’ sake than stand upon a rigour of justice; rather overcome evil with good, than suffer ourselves to be overcome by the evil of others; rather suffer a blow on the other cheek, than with our own hands revenge the blow which is given thus on our cheek; rather lose our cloak also, than contend for our coat, taken away in judgment from us, though we be in that judgment oppressed. No injury can deserve a private revenge. Light injuries are not of that nature that we should contend for a public revenge of them.

Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 5:41

41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Ver. 41. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile] Under colour of the magistrate’ s authority, which he abuseth; rather than by resisting thou shouldest revenge thyself, go with him two miles, yea, as far as the shoes of the preparation of the gospel of peace can carry thee. In the course of a man’ s life many wrongs are to be put up, which whoso cannot frame to, let him make up his pack, and be gone out of the world; for here is no being for him. Many pills are to be swallowed down whole, which if we should chew them would stick in our teeth and prove very bitter. Patience is of continual use to us at every turn; it is as bread or salt, which we cannot make one good meal without. It is a cloak, to keep off all storms; a helmet, to bear off all blows; a paring knife, that cuts the cross less and less, till it comes to nothing. As there be two kinds of antidotes against poison, viz. hot and cold, so against tribulation and temptation, prayer, and patience; the one, hot; the other, cold; the one, quenching; the other, quickening, Daniel 6:20. The king cried unto Daniel with a lamentable voice, Matthew 5:21. Then Daniel talked with the king, &c., with a voice not distressed, as that of the king was: for as by faith he stopped the mouths of the lions, Hebrews 11:33, so by patience he possessed his own soul, Luke 21:19; he became master of himself, which is the only true manhood. So patience had her perfect work in Joseph; therefore he became, as St James hath it, "perfect and entire, wanting nothing," James 1:4. Julius Caesar, beholding the picture of Alexander in Hercules’ temple at Gades, lamented that he had done no worthy exploit at those years, wherein Alexander had conquered the whole world. Joseph at thirty showed more true virtue, valour, piety, patience, purity, policy, knowledge of secrets, skill in government, &c., than either of them. Giles of Brussels, a Dutch martyr, when the friars at any time did miscall him, he ever held his peace at such private injuries, insomuch that those blasphemers would say abroad that he had a dumb devil in him. And Cassianus reporteth, that when a Christian was held captive by infidels, and tormented with various pains and ignominious taunts, being demanded by way of scorn, Tell us what miracle thy Christ hath done? he answered, He hath done what you see, that I am not moved at all by the cruelties and contumelies you cast upon me. Godly people can bear wrongs best of any; and although corrupt nature in them bustles again, and bestirs itself, yet they soon club it down, they reason themselves patient, as David, and pray down their distempers, as Paul, Psalms 43:1; 2 Corinthians 12:9.

Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 5:41

(41) Whosoever shall compel thee.—The Greek word implies the special compulsion of forced service as courier or messenger under Government, and was imported from the Persian postal system, organised on the plan of employing men thus impressed to convey Government dispatches from stage to stage (Herod. viii. 98). The use of the illustration here would seem to imply the adoption of the same system by the Roman Government under the empire. Roman soldiers and their horses were billeted on Jewish householders. Others were impressed for service of longer or shorter duration. A mile.—The influence of Rome is shown by the use of the Latin word (slightly altered) for the mille passuum, the thousand paces which made up a Roman mile—about 142 yards short of an English statute mile. It is interesting to note a like illustration of the temper that yields to compulsion of this kind, rather than struggle or resist, in the teaching of the Stoic Epictetus—“Should there be a forced service, and a soldier should lay hold on thee, let him work his will; do not resist or murmur” (Diss. iv., i. 79).

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 5:41

Verse 41. Shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.] αγγαρευσει. This word is said to be derived from the Persians, among whom the king's messengers, or posts, were called αγγαποι, or angari. This definition is given both by Hesychius and Suidas. The Persian messengers had the royal authority for pressing horses, ships, and even men, to assist them in the business on which they were employed. These angari are now termed chappars, and serve to carry despatches between the court and the provinces. When a chappar sets out, the master of the horse furnishes him with a single horse; and, when that is weary, he dismounts the first man he meets, and takes his horse. There is no pardon for a traveller that refuses to let a chappar have his horse, nor for any other who should deny him the best horse in his stable. See Sir J. Chardin's and Hanway's Travels. For pressing post horses, c., the Persian term is [Persian] Sukhreh geriften. I find no Persian word exactly of the sound and signification of αγγαρος but the Arabic [Arabic] agharet signifies spurring a horse, attacking, plundering, c. The Greek word itself is preserved among the rabbins in Hebrew characters, אנגריא angaria, and it has precisely the same meaning: viz. to be compelled by violence to do any particular service, especially of the public kind, by the king's authority. Lightfoot gives several instances of this in his Horae Talmudicae. We are here exhorted to patience and forgiveness: First, When we receive in our persons all sorts of insults and affronts, Matthew 5:39. Secondly, When we are despoiled of our goods, Matthew 5:40. Thirdly, When our bodies are forced to undergo all kinds of toils, vexations, and torments, Matthew 5:41. The way to improve the injustice of man to our own advantage, is to exercise under it meekness, gentleness, and long-suffering, without which disposition of mind, no man can either be happy here or hereafter for he that avenges himself must lose the mind of Christ, and thus suffer an injury ten thousand times greater than he can ever receive from man. Revenge, at such an expense, is dear indeed.

Cambridge Bible on Matthew 5:41

41. compel thee to go a mile] The Greek text has a Persian word here signifying “to press into service as a courier” for the royal post, then, generally, “to force to be a guide,” “to requisition,” men or cattle. This was one of the exactions which the Jews suffered under the Romans. Alford quotes Joseph. Ant. xiii. 2, 3, where Demetrius promises not to press into service the beasts of burden belonging to the Jews. For an instance of this forced service see ch. Matthew 27:32.

Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 5:41

41. Compel thee to go a mile — The phrase was borrowed from the practice of the oppressive Eastern despotisms. The custom was introduced from the Persian into the Roman government.

Sermons on Matthew 5:41

SermonDescription
Leonard Ravenhill Revival Series 3 by Leonard Ravenhill In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that there is no reason to be intimidated by the darkness and chaos of the world. He refers to a verse in the Bible that talks about a messen
Arthur Blessitt 1982 Testimony by Arthur Blessitt In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of trusting and loving the Lord. He uses the analogy of crossing deep washes and narrow rivers to illustrate the challenges w
George Verwer Cd Gv267 How Ro Grow in Godly Character by George Verwer In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of following the example of Jesus Christ in maintaining commitment to character and unity. The speaker also mentions the goals
From the Pulpit & Classic Sermons Jesus Training the 12 - Bill Mcleod by From the Pulpit & Classic Sermons In this sermon, Phil McLeod discusses the training of the Twelve disciples by Jesus. He emphasizes the uniqueness of the Earth as the theater of the universe and the place where Je
Robert Wurtz II The "Robbers" by Robert Wurtz II Robert Wurtz II delves into the significance of the term 'Robbers' in the context of the Jewish Freedom Movement, shedding light on the events surrounding Jesus' crucifixion. Jesus
Oswald Chambers Knowing & Doing God's Will by Oswald Chambers Oswald Chambers preaches on the importance of obedience to Jesus, emphasizing that true discipleship involves denying oneself, taking up one's cross daily, and following Him withou
Robert E. Webber The Way of Suffering: Revisiting the Stations of the Cross by Robert E. Webber Robert E. Webber preaches on the traditional devotional practice of the Stations of the Cross, where believers meditate on the final events of Jesus' earthly life from Pilate's hou

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