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.

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