Matthew 5:41 Quotes
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ALL QUOTES POPULAR BROWSE BY AUTHOR BROWSE BY SOURCE BROWSE BY TOPIC BROWSE BY SUBJECTAnd whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
Context
This line is spoken by Jesus in Matthew 5:41.
This is Jesus-speak for "Go the extra mile." Yeah, we thought you might know that saying.
This line, like so many famous quotes by Jesus, is found in the Sermon on the Mount. During this part of the sermon, Jesus is telling the Jews, "Hey, you know all that 'eye for an eye' stuff? Actually not so cool anymore." He's offering examples of his new law: when someone does something bad to you, just smother them with kindness. Turn the other cheek, give the shirt off your back, and just generally go the extra mile.
Where you've heard it
Anytime that know-it-all in your class feels the need to do extra credit even though they already have a 102% in class, your teacher's bound to say some variation of this line. Don't be that know-it-all, Shmoopers. Just don't. That can't be what Jesus meant. It just can't!
This phrase is also shows up a ton in employment contexts. It just has that special corporate ring to it.
Pretentious Factor
If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.
This one's only obnoxious if you're a gym coach. Otherwise, it's so common nobody will bat an eye.