Matthew 5:41 kjv
And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
Matthew 5:41 nkjv
And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
Matthew 5:41 niv
If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.
Matthew 5:41 esv
And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
Matthew 5:41 nlt
If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles.
Matthew 5 41 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lk 6:29 | If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not withhold your tunic as well. | Echoes radical non-retaliation and generous giving. |
| Matt 5:39 | But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. | Precedes and complements Mt 5:41's call for radical non-resistance. |
| Matt 5:40 | And if anyone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. | Builds on giving beyond expectation. |
| Lk 6:27-28 | But I tell you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. | Expands the attitude of love to enemies. |
| Lk 6:35 | But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. | Call to self-less, unconditional kindness. |
| Rom 12:20-21 | Rather, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. | Overcoming evil with proactive good, an extra mile. |
| Phil 2:3-4 | Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. | Humility and valuing others, going beyond self. |
| Rom 13:7 | Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. | Though different context, speaks to duties towards authorities. |
| 1 Pet 2:13-17 | Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority... for this is the will of God... | Christian submission to earthly authorities, including burdensome ones. |
| 1 Cor 9:19 | For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. | Paul's example of becoming a servant to all, radical self-giving. |
| Isa 50:6 | I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mockery and spitting. | Prophetic example of suffering servant's willingness to endure. |
| Lam 3:30 | Let him offer his cheek to one who strikes him, and let him be filled with disgrace. | Old Testament echo of accepting affliction, without retaliation. |
| Mic 6:8 | He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. | Radical obedience encompasses mercy and humility. |
| Col 3:23-24 | Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. | Working with wholehearted dedication, seeing it as service to Christ. |
| Lk 17:7-10 | "Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant... 'Come at once and sit down to eat'? Won’t he rather tell him, 'Get my supper ready...' We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty." | Illustrates the mindset of a true servant, doing more than obligated. |
| Jn 13:12-15 | When he had finished washing their feet... "You call me Teacher and Lord... I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." | Jesus models humble, sacrificial service, doing for others what is least expected. |
| 2 Cor 9:7 | Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, but cheerfully, for God loves a cheerful giver. | Highlights willingness and cheerful giving over compulsion, though in a different context. |
| Heb 12:1-2 | ...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus... endured the cross, scorning its shame. | Calls for endurance and willingness to suffer as Jesus did. |
| Rom 5:6-8 | You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. ...God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. | God's supreme "extra mile" in giving salvation. |
| Eph 5:1-2 | Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. | Christians called to imitate Christ's sacrificial love. |
| Matt 20:26-28 | Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. | Reversal of worldly greatness; service and giving life is the highest honor. |
| Matt 26:52-53 | "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?" | Demonstrates Jesus' willingness to endure despite having power to resist. |
Matthew 5 verses
Matthew 5 41 Meaning
Matthew 5:41 is a profound command from Jesus, teaching a principle of radical generosity and humility beyond what is legally or customarily required. It instructs followers to willingly go beyond the demanded measure of service, especially when faced with imposition or inconvenience from an authority figure or an oppressor. It represents an active demonstration of self-giving love, rejecting resentment and fostering an attitude of servant-heartedness, which seeks to bless even those who demand service.
Matthew 5 41 Context
Matthew 5:41 is part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), specifically within the section (Matthew 5:38-48) where Jesus challenges the prevailing legalistic interpretations of the Mosaic Law ("You have heard that it was said... But I tell you..."). This passage contrasts the Old Testament principle of "an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth" (lex talionis) with Jesus' radical ethic of non-retaliation and active love toward those who wrong or oppress you.
The immediate preceding verses (Matt 5:39-40) command not to resist an evil person, and to turn the other cheek if struck, or to give one's cloak if sued for a tunic. Matthew 5:41 directly extends this principle by addressing a specific form of Roman imperial imposition: the Roman right to compel civilians to carry burdens. The broader historical context includes Judea being under Roman occupation, with Roman soldiers frequently traversing the land, imposing their authority and, at times, their physical burdens upon the populace. This instruction from Jesus was counter-cultural, going against both the desire for retaliation and the expectation of merely fulfilling a minimum legal obligation.
Matthew 5 41 Word analysis
- And: Connects this command to the previous ones (Matt 5:39-40), indicating a continuing theme of radical love and submission.
- whoever: Emphasizes that this command applies to any follower of Jesus, without exception or status.
- compels (ἀγγαρεύσει - angareusei): From the Greek verb angareuō. This word has a Persian origin, initially referring to a royal messenger (an angaras or royal courier) who had the right to impress transport or porters into service. By Jesus' time, it had become a general term for forcing someone to carry a burden or perform a service. It was specifically known in Roman law, under the angareia system, where a Roman official or soldier could legitimately commandeer persons, animals, or goods for imperial service, especially transport. This meant that a Roman soldier could force a Jewish civilian to carry their heavy pack, typically a set distance. This was often deeply resented as a symbol of oppressive foreign rule.
- you: The direct recipient of the compulsion, emphasizing the personal challenge and choice.
- to go: To accompany or journey with.
- one: Refers to the singular, prescribed "mile" distance.
- mile (μίλιον - milion): A Roman mile, approximately 1000 paces, or about 1618 meters (roughly 1.6 kilometers). This was a significant distance, particularly under duress with a heavy load, representing a tangible and burdensome imposition.
- go (ὕπαγε - hupage): A command to depart or proceed.
- with him: Emphasizes accompanying the one who compelled, reinforcing the relational aspect of the action.
- two: This is the critical, revolutionary word in the command. It signifies doing double what is legally or forcefully required, thus going "above and beyond." This excess transforms forced obligation into voluntary, generous service.
Word-groups analysis
- whoever compels you to go one mile: This phrase directly addresses the reality of Roman occupation. It speaks to a common, yet oppressive, experience for the Jewish people under Roman rule, where a Roman soldier had the legal right to force a civilian to carry his military pack for a fixed distance (the "one mile"). This act was not merely an inconvenience but a humiliating symbol of their subjugation.
- go with him two: This is the revolutionary part of Jesus' teaching. Instead of begrudgingly completing the required mile, resisting, or retaliating, the instruction is to willingly go twice the distance. This transforms an act of forced servitude into a voluntary expression of self-giving, changing the dynamics from victimhood and resentment to active love and potentially surprising the oppressor. It signifies an act of extreme humility, breaking the cycle of perceived humiliation and power imbalance. This is not about passive acceptance of evil, but proactive transformation of a negative situation through positive action.
Matthew 5 41 Bonus section
The "one mile" rule was such a distinct practice in Roman times that it resonated deeply with Jesus' audience, giving the example immediate and clear meaning. It's also interesting to note that this was likely a maximum legal limit; the soldier couldn't compel someone beyond that first mile. Jesus' instruction to go a "second mile" therefore steps beyond all legal bounds and social expectations, making the action purely voluntary and demonstrating immense character. This principle underlines that Christian righteousness isn't about avoiding punishment or even simply fulfilling requirements, but about expressing a generous heart and genuine love. It is about spiritual posture rather than physical force, cultivating humility and empathy rather than resentment or hostility in the face of demands.
Matthew 5 41 Commentary
Matthew 5:41 encapsulates one of Jesus' most radical ethical teachings, an instruction that calls His followers to a righteousness surpassing that of the Scribes and Pharisees (Matt 5:20). It moves beyond legal compliance or even the widely accepted principle of reciprocity, advocating for an extraordinary and sacrificial form of love. This "going the extra mile" challenges believers to overcome evil not by resistance or retaliation, but by overwhelming good. It transforms a forced, humiliating act into a deliberate, empowering display of selfless service.
The command serves multiple purposes:
- Transforming Adversity: It reframes a burdensome or unjust situation (being compelled) into an opportunity for spiritual growth and a demonstration of God's love. It shifts focus from personal rights and grievances to the will of God.
- Witness and Evangelism: Such an unexpected response could disarm an oppressor, making them reconsider their actions or the nature of the one they are oppressing. It offers a powerful, non-verbal witness to the radical difference of a life lived by kingdom principles.
- Inner Freedom: By choosing to go the second mile, the individual reclaims agency from the oppressor. What was initially an act of coercion becomes an act of free will, releasing the individual from the inner bondage of bitterness or resentment. It frees the heart to truly love.
- Imitation of Christ: Jesus Himself embodied this principle perfectly. He willingly subjected Himself to injustice, suffered for His enemies, and went beyond all obligation to offer salvation (Phil 2:5-8). Followers are called to mirror His self-sacrificing love.
This teaching is not a call to anarchy or to passively enable every injustice. Instead, it applies to personal interactions where one is personally targeted and can choose a path of transforming love. It emphasizes the believer's inner disposition and heart attitude over outward circumstances or the actions of others. The core message is proactive, self-emptying love for even the demanding or antagonistic individual.