Verse 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 those who rode post, and were maintained at the king's expenses; and had power to take horses, and other carriages, and even men, into their service, by force, when they had occasion for them: hence the word is used to force, or compel persons to do this or the other thing; the word אנגריא is often to be met with in the Jewish writings, and is in them expounded to be F11 Vid. Maimon. & Bartenora in Misn. Bava Metzia, c. 6. sect. 3. , the taking of anything for the service of the king. David de Pomis renders it by עול , "a yoke" F12 Tzemach David, fol. 8. 4. ; meaning, any servile work, which such, who were pressed into the king's service, were obliged unto. And F13 Vid. Buxtorf. Lex. Rabb. p. 131,132. עשה אנגריא is used to compel persons to go along with others, to do any service; in which sense it is here used: and Christ advises, rather than to contend and quarrel with such a person, that obliges to go with him a mile, to
go with him twain : his meaning is, not to dispute such a matter, though it may be somewhat laborious and disagreeable, but comply, for the sake of peace. The Jews F14 Toldos Jesu, p 22. , in their blasphemous book of the birth of Christ, own that he gave advice in such words as these, when they introduce Peter thus speaking of him.
"He, that is, Jesus, hath warned and commanded you to do no more evil to a Jew; but if a Jew should say to a Nazarene, go with me one mile, he shall go with him two miles; and if a Jew shall smite him on the left cheek, he shall turn to him also the right.'
Can a Jew find fault with this advice?
Be the first to react on this!
