Definition and Usage in Biblical Context:

The term "mile" as understood in contemporary measurement does not appear directly in the Bible. However, the concept of distance and measurement is present throughout the Scriptures, often using terms like "stadia" or "cubits" in the original texts. The Roman mile, which was approximately 1,000 paces or about 4,854 feet, is the closest ancient equivalent to the modern mile. This measurement was commonly used during the time of the New Testament, when the Roman Empire exerted significant influence over the regions mentioned in the Bible.

Biblical References and Context:

1. Matthew 5:41 : "If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles." This verse is part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, where He teaches about going beyond what is required or expected. The context here refers to the Roman practice of impressment, where a Roman soldier could compel a civilian to carry his equipment for one mile. Jesus' instruction to go an extra mile emphasizes the principle of selfless service and love, even towards those who may oppress or inconvenience us.

2. Historical and Cultural Background:
· The Roman mile was a standard unit of distance in the Roman Empire, which dominated the Mediterranean world during the time of Jesus and the early church. The Roman road system, known for its engineering and efficiency, utilized this measurement to connect various parts of the empire, facilitating travel and communication.
· The concept of a mile in biblical times was not just a measure of distance but also a symbol of Roman authority and the imposition of Roman law on subject peoples. Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:41 subverts this symbol of oppression by transforming it into an opportunity for demonstrating the kingdom values of grace and generosity.

3. Spiritual and Moral Implications:
· The "extra mile" principle has become a metaphor in Christian teaching for going beyond the minimum requirements in our relationships and duties. It calls believers to exhibit a spirit of generosity and kindness, reflecting the character of Christ.
· This teaching challenges Christians to respond to demands and injustices not with resentment or mere compliance, but with a heart of service that seeks to bless others, even those who may be seen as adversaries.

Related Concepts:

· Service and Sacrifice: The call to go the extra mile aligns with the broader biblical themes of service and sacrifice. Jesus Himself exemplified the ultimate act of going beyond what was required through His sacrificial death on the cross (Philippians 2:5-8).
· Love for Enemies: The instruction to go two miles when compelled to go one is part of Jesus' radical teaching on loving one's enemies and praying for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44). It underscores the transformative power of love and grace in the life of a believer.

Conclusion:

While the term "mile" is not explicitly used in the Bible, its conceptual presence in the teachings of Jesus provides profound insights into Christian conduct and the call to live out the values of the kingdom of God in everyday life.1695. Emmaous -- Emmaus, a place 60 stadia (7.5 miles) west of Jer ...
... 1694, 1695. Emmaous. 1696 . Emmaus, a place 60 stadia (7.5 miles) west of Jer. ...
yem Definition Emmaus, a place 60 stadia (7.5 miles) west of Jer. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1695.htm - 6k

5018. Tarseus -- of Tarsus
... 5018 -- , the leading city in ancient Cilicia (a province between Syria and Asia
Minor), located about 10 miles inland from the coast of present-day Turkey. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5018.htm - 7k

4999. taberne -- "hut," a tavern, spec. Treis Tabernai, "Three ...
... tab-er'-nahee) Short Definition: taverns Definition: taverns; Three Taverns, the
name of a village or town on the Appian Way, about thirty-three miles from Rome ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4999.htm - 6k

675. Appiou Phoron -- Market of Appius, the name of a city south ...
... Appiou Phoron Phonetic Spelling: (ap'-pee-os) Short Definition: Appius Definition:
the township Appi Forum on the Appian Way, 43 Roman miles from Rome, was ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/675.htm - 6k

2802. Klauda -- Clauda, an island near Crete
... Transliteration: Klauda Phonetic Spelling: (klow'-day) Short Definition: Cauda,
Clauda Definition: Cauda, Clauda, an island twenty-three miles south of the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2802.htm - 6k

137. Ainon -- Aenon, a place in the Jordan Valley
... Transliteration: Ainon Phonetic Spelling: (ahee-nohn') Short Definition: Aenon
Definition: Aenon; Eusebius and Jerome place this site 8 (Roman) miles south of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/137.htm - 6k

4712. stadion -- a stadium (a Gr. measure of length), by impl. a ...
... a Gr. measure of length), by impl. a racecourse NASB Word Usage distance (1),
miles (5), race (1). stadium, arena, furlong. Or masculine ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4712.htm - 7k

2484. Itouraios -- Ituraea, a region North of Pal.
... Spelling: (ee-too-rah'-yah) Short Definition: Ituraean Definition: Ituraean, an
adjective applied to a district also called Trachonitis, about 60 miles east of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2484.htm - 6k

Wesley Rides Ninety Miles
... Chapter 8. Wesley and the Soldiers; In Ireland and Wales Again; Wesley Burned
in Effigy; Wesley as an Editor Wesley Rides Ninety Miles. ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesley rides ninety miles.htm

Twelve and a Half Miles in Heavy Rain
... Chapter 19. An Ideal Circuit; Wesley in his Eighties; Wesley Visits Holland;
Incidents in Scotland Twelve and a Half Miles in Heavy Rain. ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/twelve and a half miles.htm

CM Mrs. Miles. Summer.
... VIII. VARIOUS OCCASIONS. 395. CM Mrs. Miles. Summer. 1 The earth, all light
and loveliness, In summer's golden hours, Shines, in ...
/.../various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/395 c m mrs miles.htm

HM Mrs. Miles. In Affliction.
... VII. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. 333. HM Mrs. Miles. In Affliction. 1 Thou, infinite
in love! Guide this bewildered mind, Which, like the ...
/.../various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/333 h m mrs miles.htm

Mrs. Miles. Looking unto Jesus.
... IV. REMEMBRANCE OF CHRIST. 142. 6 & 10s. M. *Mrs. Miles. Looking unto Jesus.
1 It was no path of flowers, Which, through this world ...
/.../various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/142 6 & 10s m.htm

CM Mrs. Miles. Foretaste of Heaven.
... VII. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. 359. CM Mrs. Miles. Foretaste of Heaven. 1 When,
on devotion's seraph wing, The spirit soars above, And ...
/.../various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/359 c m mrs miles.htm

Wesley Rides Twenty-Four Hundred Miles in Seven Months
... "I do Indeed Live by Preaching"; Wesley's Advice to Travelers; Wesley and the French
Prisoners Wesley Rides Twenty-four Hundred Miles in Seven Months. ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesley rides twenty-four hundred miles.htm

Some Miscellaneous Matters Belonging to the Country About Jericho.
... Numbers 33:49: "They encamped near Jordan from Beth-jeshimoth unto Abel-shittim."""
From Beth-jeshimoth to Abel-shittim were twelve miles." It is a most ...
/.../from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 48 some miscellaneous matters.htm

A Description of the Sea-Coast, Out of Pliny and Strabo.
... The tower of Strato; the same is Caesarea. The bounds of Palestine are a hundred
and eighty-nine miles from the confines of Arabia. Then begins Phoenice." ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 10 a description of.htm

Tsok: and Beth Chadudo.
... and so to the tenth. From the tenth to the rock Tsok, whence the goat was
cast down, were two miles. They, therefore, who received ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 54 tsok and beth.htm

Miles (5 Occurrences)
...Miles (5 Occurrences). ... John 6:19 When, however, they had rowed three or four miles,
they saw Jesus walking on the water and coming near the boat. ...
/m/miles.htm - 7k

Euphrates (36 Occurrences)
... From its source in the Armenian mountains to the Persian Gulf, into which
it empties itself, it has a course of about 1,700 miles. ...
/e/euphrates.htm - 26k

Cyprus (12 Occurrences)
... One of the largest islands of the Mediterranean, about 148 miles long and 40
broad. It is distant about 60 miles from the Syrian coast. ...
/c/cyprus.htm - 27k

Ramah (38 Occurrences)
... It is probably identical with the modern er-Rameh, a large Christian village on
the highway from Cafed to the coast, about 8 miles West-Southwest of that city. ...
/r/ramah.htm - 26k

Nile (37 Occurrences)
... These unite at the town of Khartoum, whence it pursues its course for 1,800 miles,
and falls into the Mediterranean through its two branches, into which it is ...
/n/nile.htm - 29k

Memphis (8 Occurrences)
... half buried in the sand, the site of this ancient city has been discovered near
the modern village of Minyet Rahinch, or Mitraheny, about 16 miles above the ...
/m/memphis.htm - 14k

Nebo (13 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 32:49; 34:1). It has been identified with Jebel Nebah, on the eastern
shore of the Dead Sea, near its northern end, and about 5 miles south-west of ...
/n/nebo.htm - 17k

Sharon (9 Occurrences)
... A plain, a level tract extending from the Mediterranean to the hill country to the
west of Jerusalem, about 30 miles long and from 8 to 15 miles broad ...
/s/sharon.htm - 13k

Goshen (16 Occurrences)
... Dr. Naville in 1887 found the word as denoting the vicinity of Pi-sopt (now
Saft el Henneh), 6 miles East of Zagazig-in the form Qsm. ...
/g/goshen.htm - 19k

Phoenicians
... Cassius on the North to Gaza or beyond on the South, a distance of some 380 miles,
or about 400 miles if we include the sweep of indentations and bays and the ...
/p/phoenicians.htm - 38k

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