The Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 5:41

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Matthew only. Shall compel thee to go; Revised Version margin, "Gr. impress" ( ἀγγαρεύσει). From the Persian. Hatch shows that while the classical usage strictly refers to the Persian system or' mounted couriers (described in Herod.

, 8.98; Xen., 'Cyr.,' 8.6. 17), the post-classical usage refers to the later development of a system, not of postal service, but of the forced transport of military baggage. It thus indicates, not merely forced attendance, but forced carrying.

Hence it is used in Matthew 27:32 and Mark 15:21 of Simon the Cyrenian, "who was pressed by the Roman soldiers who were escorting our Lord not merely to accompany them but also to carry a load." Thus here also the thought is doubtless that of being compelled to carry baggage.

There may also be a reference, as Hatch suggests, to the oppressive conduct of the Roman soldiers (cf. Luke 3:14). (For the spirit of our Lord's saying, vide also 'Aboth,' 3.18 (Taylor), where the probable translation is, "Rabbi Ishmael said, Be pliant of disposition and yielding to impressment."

) A mile; Revised Version, one mile; but see Matthew 8:19, note. A Roman mile of a thousand paces.

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