Zak Scholtz

Many people think the phrase 'go the extra mile' comes from a Roman law about helping soldiers.

But that story, which you might have heard in a sermon or read online, is actually a modern myth.

There is no record in Roman law that required civilians to carry a soldier's gear for one mile.

The true origin is much older and comes directly from the words of Jesus Christ in the Sermon on the Mount, recorded in Matthew 5:41.

In that passage, Jesus says, 'And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.'

He was referring to a practice called 'angareia', where a Roman soldier could legally compel a civilian to carry his heavy pack for one Roman mile, which was about 1,000 paces.

This was not a popular requirement, and it was a symbol of the people's occupation by Rome.

Jesus's teaching was radical. He advised not just to comply, but to voluntarily do double what was required. It was a lesson in generosity and taking control of a situation by turning forced service into a willing gift. 📖

The phrase entered the English language through early Bible translations in the 1500s and has since become a common expression for exceeding expectations. 🙏

Sources: The Gospel of Matthew, Oxford English Dictionary, Tyndale's 1526 Bible Translation