Easter: Shape of the cross

Exodus 12:22 And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. [kjv]

λημψεσθε δε δεσμην υσσωπου και βαψαντες απο του αιματος του παρα την θυραν καθιξετε της φλιας και επ αμφοτερων των σταθμων απο του αιματος ο εστιν παρα την θυραν υμεις δε ουκ εξελευσεσθε εκαστος την θυραν του οικου αυτου εως πρωι [lxx]

… tinguite sanguine … [v]

The Latin word "tingo" ≈ "wet, moisten, dip, dye" and is the source of the English word "tincture", "tinge" and "intinction" as a means of communion by "dipping" the bread in the wine.

The Hebrew instructions for "splashing the blood" for "Passover" have the effect of creating an optical illusion of the "cross". The Greek for "dip" in the LXX (Septuagint) is the same word as for "baptize".

The blood is to be splashed, as in "strike", on the "lintel" and the two "side posts". [Moses and the rock]

More: Kanizsa triangle: seeing what is not there

More: Exodus 12: Passover

Exodus 17:13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. [kjv]

17:14 And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. [kjv]

Moses was on the hill, with his hands held up on each side.

Who is fighting the actual battle on the ground?
Who fought the Battle of Jericho?
Has sin been defeated?

Who might we see helping us with battles when we look up through the fog of war? Oh death where is thy sting?

More: Exodus 17:8-16 Battle with Amalek

Numbers 2:32 These are those which were numbered of the children of Israel by the house of their fathers: all those that were numbered of the camps throughout their hosts were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty. [kjv]

The book of Numbers is named for the detailed census appearing in Numbers 2. The details can be boring but are part of an "algorithm" provided by God for their camp in the desert.
If the Israelites in the desert had followed the "algorithm" provided by God as how to precisely camp, their camp would have been laid out in the shape of a cross from the point of view of the "rising sun" in the morning.

Notice the top-down nature of the reporting with the summary totals first and then the details.

More: Numbers 2:1-34 Algorithms and the camp of Israel

Numbers 21:8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. [kjv]

και ειπεν κυριος προς μωυσην ποιησον σεαυτω οφιν και θες αυτον επι σημειου και εσται εαν δακη οφις ανθρωπον πας ο δεδηγμενος ιδων αυτον ζησεται [lxx]

What does the "serpent" represent? What does the "pole" represent?

John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: [kjv]

και καθως μωυσης υψωσεν τον οφιν εν τη ερημω ουτως υψωθηναι δει τον υιον του ανθρωπου [gnt]

3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. [kjv]

ινα πας ο πιστευων εν αυτω εχη ζωην αιωνιον [gnt]

More: Numbers 21: Fiery serpent on a pole in the wilderness

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[FIVE and NINE]

The best way to determine the meaning of a word is not to use a dictionary.

[constraint logic puzzle, abductive reasoning]
The best way to determine the meaning of a word is to look at the use of the word and infer a meaning or meanings from context.

[expert systems, rule-based, pattern-based, artificial/machine intelligence]

A mondegreen is pun consisting of a misheard lyric or verse that sounds like something other than what was written.
The term was coined by Sylvia Wright in 1954 who as a child had heard the poem line "laid him on the green" as "Lady Mondegreen".

Here are some hymn titles or lines that are mondegreens.

Gladly, the cross-eye bear
Come on oh kinky turtle
Andy walks with me
Bringing in the sheets
A maze of grapes, how sweet and round

More: Mondegreens: misheard lyrics

There have been many Christian cross variants over time.

Symbol	Unicode	Name
✙	U+2719	OUTLINED GREEK CROSS
✚	U+271A	HEAVY GREEK CROSS
✛	U+271B	OPEN CENTER CROSS
✜	U+271C	HEAVY OPEN CENTER CROSS
✝	U+271D	LATIN CROSS
✞	U+271E	SHADOWED WHITE LATIN CROSS
✟	U+271F	OUTLINED LATIN CROSS
✠	U+2720	MALTESE CROSS

ASCII - 128
extended ASCII -256
Unicode - 65,526
extended Unicode - 65,526+

The German word "Kreuz" ≈ "cross" which is related to the English word "cross".

The German word "Eisernes Kreuz" ≈ "Iron Cross" was a military decoration doting from the Kingdom of Prussia during the Napoleonic wars and continued later by the German Empire (1871-1918) and continued by Nazi Germany (1933-1945). The design dates back to the medieval Teutonic Order and knights, from the 1300's. The Iron Cross is the emblem of the Bundeswehr - the modern German armed forces.

χ + ρ = ☧ = Χ + Ρ

The "chi rho" symbol became established under Constantine as a combination of two Greek letters, "chi" and "rho", the first two letters of "Χριστός" ≈ "Christ".

Might there by any interesting gematria meanings from the two letters?

"χ" or "Χ" = 600
"ρ" or "Ρ" = 100

Details are left as a future topic.

The Unicode for "Chi Rho" in the miscellaneous symbols block is "U+2627" or ☧.

More: The Roman Empire under Constantine

The so-called "Chrismon of Saint Ambrose" (Chrismon Sancti Ambrosii), on display on the eastern wall of Milan Cathedral, a Chi-Rho combined with Alpha and Omega in a circle. According to Landulf of Milan (12th century), it was used by Saint Ambrose to introduce the catechumens to the mysteries of the Christian faith (whence it was called "oracle" or chresmos of St. Ambrose, written by Landulf as crismon, whence the later Neo-Latin term for the Chi-Rho symbol). Wikipedia. (as of 2025-03-30)
[Augustine, when in Rome]

Esther 2:22 And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai's name. [kjv]

και εδηλωθη μαρδοχαιω ο λογος και εσημανεν εσθηρ και αυτη ενεφανισεν τω βασιλει τα της επιβουλης [lxx]

And the matter was revealed to Mardochaeus, and he made it known to Esther, and she declared to the king the matter of the conspiracy. [bs3]

Crucifixion originated with the Persians. Esther records the hanging of Mordecai and co-conspirator-.

Esther 2:23 And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king. [kjv]

ο δε βασιλευς ητασεν τους δυο ευνουχους και εκρεμασεν αυτους και προσεταξεν ο βασιλευς καταχωρισαι εις μνημοσυνον εν τη βασιλικη βιβλιοθηκη υπερ της ευνοιας μαρδοχαιου εν εγκωμιω [lxx]

And the king examined the two chamberlains, and hanged them: and the king gave orders to make a note for a memorial in the royal records of the good offices of Mardochaeus, as a commendation. [bs3]

Crucifixion originated with the Persians. Esther records the hanging of Mordecai and co-conspirators.

Esther 2:22

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KJV: And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai's name.

Hebrew: ויודע הדבר למרדכי ויגד לאסתר המלכה ותאמר אסתר למלך בשם מרדכי׃

Greek: και εδηλωθη μαρδοχαιω ο λογος και εσημανεν εσθηρ και αυτη ενεφανισεν τω βασιλει τα της επιβουλης

Brenton: And the matter was revealed to Mardochaeus, and he made it known to Esther, and she declared to the king the matter of the conspiracy.

Esther 2:23

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KJV: And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.

Hebrew: ויבקש הדבר וימצא ויתלו שניהם על עץ ויכתב בספר דברי הימים לפני המלך׃

Greek: ο δε βασιλευς ητασεν τους δυο ευνουχους και εκρεμασεν αυτους και προσεταξεν ο βασιλευς καταχωρισαι εις μνημοσυνον εν τη βασιλικη βιβλιοθηκη υπερ της ευνοιας μαρδοχαιου εν εγκωμιω

Brenton: And the king examined the two chamberlains, and hanged them: and the king gave orders to make a note for a memorial in the royal records of the good offices of Mardochaeus, as a commendation.

Deuteronomy 21:22 And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree: [kjv]

εαν δε γενηται εν τινι αμαρτια κριμα θανατου και αποθανη και κρεμασητε αυτον επι ξυλου [lxx]

Today we hang Christmas ornaments on a Christmas tree.
Paraphrase: We must all hang together or we will all hang separately. Benjamin Franklin.

Deuteronomy 21:22

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KJV: And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree:

Hebrew: וכי יהיה באיש חטא משפט מות והומת ותלית אתו על עץ׃

Greek: εαν δε γενηται εν τινι αμαρτια κριμα θανατου και αποθανη και κρεμασητε αυτον επι ξυλου

Paul, as does Jesus, quotes from the Greek LXX and not from what is known today as the HOT (Hebrew Old Testament).

Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: [kjv]

χριστος ημας εξηγορασεν εκ της καταρας του νομου γενομενος υπερ ημων καταρα οτι γεγραπται επικαταρατος πας ο κρεμαμενος επι ξυλου [gnt]

Galatians 3:13

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KJV: Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Greek: χριστος ημας εξηγορασεν εκ της καταρας του νομου γενομενος υπερ ημων καταρα οτι γεγραπται γαρ επικαταρατος πας ο κρεμαμενος επι ξυλου

Deuteronomy 21:23 His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance. [kjv]

ουκ επικοιμηθησεται το σωμα αυτου επι του ξυλου αλλα ταφη θαψετε αυτον εν τη ημερα εκεινη οτι κεκατηραμενος υπο θεου πας κρεμαμενος επι ξυλου και ου μιανειτε την γην ην κυριος ο θεος σου διδωσιν σοι εν κληρω [lxx]

Why was Jesus taken down off the cross the same day?

Deuteronomy 21:23

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KJV: His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

Hebrew: לא תלין נבלתו על העץ כי קבור תקברנו ביום ההוא כי קללת אלהים תלוי ולא תטמא את אדמתך אשר יהוה אלהיך נתן לך נחלה׃

Greek: ουκ επικοιμηθησεται το σωμα αυτου επι του ξυλου αλλα ταφη θαψετε αυτον εν τη ημερα εκεινη οτι κεκατηραμενος υπο θεου πας κρεμαμενος επι ξυλου και ου μιανειτε την γην ην κυριος ο θεος σου διδωσιν σοι εν κληρω

Brenton: his body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but you° shall by all means bury it in that day; for every one that is hanged on a tree is cursed of God; and you° shall by no means defile the land which the Lord your God gives you for an inheritance.

John 19:31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day, ) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. [kjv]

οι ουν ιουδαιοι επει παρασκευη ην ινα μη μεινη επι του σταυρου τα σωματα εν τω σαββατω ην γαρ μεγαλη η ημερα εκεινου του σαββατου ηρωτησαν τον πιλατον ινα κατεαγωσιν αυτων τα σκελη και αρθωσιν [gnt]

The "Day of Preparation" is the day before the Sabbath or High Sabbath. The modern Greek word "Παρασκευή" (Pa-ra-skev-EE) ≈ "Friday", which is, literally, the day of "Preparation".

There appear to be some mistranslations of the GNT (Greek New Testament) in order to fit the Christian tradition of a Friday crucification at the expense of not having three days and three nights in the "belly of the earth" and rise "after the third day". There are many talking points to explain away the obvious contradictions.in the translations of the Greek texts.

More: The daze of a crucifixion week

How does one get three "days" and three nights in the grave from late Friday afternoon until early Sunday morning?
The Passover week of the crucifixion of Jesus is documented in the four Gospels. There are some variations in the events and many have tried to harmonize the Gospels for events of the Passover week.

Matthew 21-28

Mark 11-16

Luke 19-24

John 12-21

A model providing redundancy might help resolve any discrepancies.

There are octagons, heptagons, hexagons. One person got very upset when I claimed there were 2-sided polygons. How did I reconcile with the person?

I said that we should just let bi-gons by bi-gons.

More: The daze of a crucifixion week

The movie Spartacus, featuring Kirk Douglas (and others) is from 1967 and based on the 1951 novel by Howard Fast.

The slave revolt is called the Third Servile War, also called the Gladiator War or the War of Spartacus (by Plutarch) which happened 73-71 BC at the time of the end of the Roman Republic with the Triumvirate - Julius Caesar, Pompey the Great and Roman senator Marcus Licinius Crassus, the richest man in Rome.

At the end of the conflict in 71 BC, about 6,000 slave survivors were captured and crucified along the Appian Way from Capua to Rome. No order was ever given to take the bodies down.

Jesus was crucified about 31 AD.
[Caesar]
[Pompey the Great]
[Crassus - killed at Carrhae located in modern day Turkey - Parthian shot] Let us investigate.

What was the actual shape of the crucifixion cross?
Some interesting connections arise when the cross has the shape of a "tee" or "T" as in Greek letter "τ" or "Τ" (tau) as related by Barnabas and some other Roman writers. The impression of the traditional shape could come from the addition of a "title" (and supporting piece) placed above to describe the crime.

"χριστός" ≈ "Christ" as in "anointed one".
"χρηστός" ≈ "useful" and appears as a play on words by both Jesus and Paul.
"χρυσός" ≈ "gold".

In particular, in Greek, if the "t" or "tau" or "cross" is removed from "Christ" one gets a play on words of "gold". This may or may not have significance.

More: A golden cross down to the tee


	Greek	Hebrew

Somewhere between 40 and 100 years after the crucifixion, and while crucifixion was still used by the Romans, Barnabas compares the shape of the cross to the Greek letter "T" which is not the traditional shape of the Christian cross.
The Greek letter "T" had a gematria value of 300.

English: And because the cross, which is shaped like the T, was destined to convey grace, it mentions also the "three hundred". (Holmes, 2007, p. 409)

Greek: ὅτι δὲ ὁ σταυρὸς ἐν τῷ ταῦ ἤμελλεν ἔχειν τὴν χάριν, λέγει καὶ τοὺς τριακοσίους. [9.8]

More: Epistle of Barnabas

Genesis 14:14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan. [kjv]

ακουσας δε αβραμ οτι ηχμαλωτευται λωτ ο αδελφος αυτου ηριθμησεν τους ιδιους οικογενεις αυτου τριακοσιους δεκα και οκτω και κατεδιωξεν οπισω αυτων εως δαν [lxx]

Using Greek, and not Hebrew, gematria, Barnabas makes the connection of the "cross" and first two letters of "Jesus" to the story of Abraham and the number 318.

300: "τ" : "Τ" : "tau" : shape of the cross
10: "ι" : "Ι" : "iota" : first letter of "Jesus"
8: "η" : "Η" : "eta" : second letter of "Jesus"
"ιησούς" ≈ "Jesus"
"ΙΗΣΟΥΣ" ≈ "Jesus"

Is it reasonable to create a symbol or connection with an abbreviation of the name "Jesus" in Greek as "ΙΗ" or "ΙΗΣ"?

More: Epistle of Barnabas

Genesis 14:14

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KJV: And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.

Hebrew: וישמע אברם כי נשבה אחיו וירק את חניכיו ילידי ביתו שמנה עשר ושלש מאות וירדף עד דן׃

Greek: ακουσας δε αβραμ οτι ηχμαλωτευται λωτ ο αδελφος αυτου ηριθμησεν τους ιδιους οικογενεις αυτου τριακοσιους δεκα και οκτω και κατεδιωξεν οπισω αυτων εως δαν

Jesus is the "alpha" and the "omega", the "first" and the "last".

Revelation 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. [kjv]

εγω το αλφα και το ω ο πρωτος και ο εσχατος η αρχη και το τελος [gnt]

"Α" ≈ "alpha" is the first letter of the Greek alphabet.

"Ω" ≈ "omega" is the last letter of the Greek alphabet.

The Chrismon "IHS" is often taken to say "In His Service". "ΙΗΣΟΥΣ" ≈ "Jesus" which, in English, is "IHSOUS". The first three letters are (uppercase) "IHS" or (lowercase) "ihs".

More: Chrismons

Justin Martyr (100–165) explicitly says the cross of Christ was of two-beam shape: "That lamb which was commanded to be wholly roasted was a symbol of the suffering of the cross which Christ would undergo". Wikipedia.
The ancient Greek name "Ἰουστῖνος ὁ Μάρτυς" ≈ "Justin Martyr".

The Saint Anthony's cross is sometimes called the crux commissa.
The Latin writer Tertullian (155-240) says that the Greek letter "tau" and the Latin letter "T" are the same shape as the crucifixion cross. In Latin, "Ipsa est enim littera Graecorum Tau, nostra autem T, species crucis".

In the Trial of the Court of the Vowels of non-Christian Lucian (125 – after 180), the Greek letter Sigma (Σ) accuses the letter Tau (Τ) of having provided tyrants with the model for the wooden instrument with which to crucify people and demands that Tau be executed on his own shape: "It was his body that tyrants took for a model, his shape that they imitated, when they set up the erections on which men are crucified. Σταυρός the vile engine is called, and it derives its vile name from him. Now, with all these crimes upon him, does he not deserve death, nay, many deaths? For my part I know none bad enough but that supplied by his own shape—that shape which he gave to the gibbet named σταυρός after him by men" Wikipedia. (as of 2025-04-03)

The crucifixion cross appears to have been a wooden main beam with a cross piece that formed the shape of a "T" or "tee". There are Latin writings that support this idea. Some scholars hold to the idea of the "cross" being a "stake" (without the cross-beam).

The ancient Greek word "σταυρός" ≈ "cross" and is related to the English word "stake" from the Middle English word "stour" ≈ "stake, pole".
The ancient Greek word "ψύλον" ≈ "wood" is used in the GNT to describe the "wood".
The Latin word "crux" ≈ "crucifixion cross" or any wooden frame used for crucifixion of criminals.

The letter "T" in the name of Christ and representing the cross is important here.

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How might the cross have appeared to those present?

Closer up.
Further away.

John 19:19 And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. [kjv]

εγραψεν δε και τιτλον ο πιλατος και εθηκεν επι του σταυρου ην δε γεγραμμενον ιησους ο ναζωραιος ο βασιλευς των ιουδαιων [gnt]

19:20 This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. [kjv]

τουτον ουν τον τιτλον πολλοι ανεγνωσαν των ιουδαιων οτι εγγυς ην ο τοπος της πολεως οπου εσταυρωθη ο ιησους και ην γεγραμμενον εβραιστι ρωμαιστι ελληνιστι [gnt]

… titulum … hebraice graece … latine [v]

We get the English word "title" from the Latin "titulum" and the Greek «τιτλον». The term for "Latin" in the Latin Vulgate appears in John as the language of the "Romans". Latin was the language of the Romans. As was usual, Pilate had an inscription placed above Jesus on the cross, signifying his crime.

A written language can refer to itself or to other languages.

More: John 19:19-22 Languages on the cross

Stephen is speaking. Saul, later Paul, was a witness.

Acts 5:30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. [kjv]

ο θεος των πατερων ημων ηγειρεν ιησουν ον υμεις διεχειρισασθε κρεμασαντες επι ξυλου [gnt]

Acts 5:30

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KJV: The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

Greek: ο θεος των πατερων ημων ηγειρεν ιησουν ον υμεις διεχειρισασθε κρεμασαντες επι ξυλου

Paul later uses this idea.

Acts 10:39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: [kjv]

και ημεις μαρτυρες παντων ων εποιησεν εν τε τη χωρα των ιουδαιων και ιερουσαλημ ον και ανειλαν κρεμασαντες επι ξυλου [gnt]

Acts 10:39

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KJV: And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:

Greek: και ημεις εσμεν μαρτυρες παντων ων εποιησεν εν τε τη χωρα των ιουδαιων και εν ιερουσαλημ ον ανειλον και ανειλαν κρεμασαντες επι ξυλου

Joseph in Egypt, in the prison, interprets the dreams of the butler (wine steward) and the baker. Here is the verse for the dream.

Genesis 40:17 And in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of bakemeats for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head. [kjv]

εν δε τω κανω τω επανω απο παντων των γενων ων ο βασιλευς φαραω εσθιει εργον σιτοποιου και τα πετεινα του ουρανου κατησθιεν αυτα απο του κανου του επανω της κεφαλης μου [lxx]

Here is the verse for the interpretation by Joseph. The birds in the interpreted dream refer to eating his flesh (life) from the basket.

Genesis 40:19 Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head from off thee, and shall hang thee on a tree; and the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee. [kjv]

ετι τριων ημερων αφελει φαραω την κεφαλην σου απο σου και κρεμασει σε επι ξυλου και φαγεται τα ορνεα του ουρανου τας σαρκας σου απο σου [lxx]

Remez: ... in three days, the bread will be broken and the wine will be poured ...

More: Birds in the LXX

Joshua 8:29 And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide: and as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his carcase down from the tree, and cast it at the entering of the gate of the city, and raise thereon a great heap of stones, that remaineth unto this day. [kjv]

και τον βασιλεα της γαι εκρεμασεν επι ξυλου διδυμου και ην επι του ξυλου εως εσπερας και επιδυνοντος του ηλιου συνεταξεν ιησους και καθειλοσαν αυτου το σωμα απο του ξυλου και ερριψαν αυτον εις τον βοθρον και επεστησαν αυτω σωρον λιθων εως της ημερας ταυτης [lxx]

Joshua 8:29

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KJV: And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide: and as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his carcase down from the tree, and cast it at the entering of the gate of the city, and raise thereon a great heap of stones, that remaineth unto this day.

Hebrew: ואת מלך העי תלה על העץ עד עת הערב וכבוא השמש צוה יהושע וירידו את נבלתו מן העץ וישליכו אותה אל פתח שער העיר ויקימו עליו גל אבנים גדול עד היום הזה׃

Greek: και τον βασιλεα της γαι εκρεμασεν επι ξυλου διδυμου και ην επι του ξυλου εως εσπερας και επιδυνοντος του ηλιου συνεταξεν ιησους και καθειλοσαν αυτου το σωμα απο του ξυλου και ερριψαν αυτον εις τον βοθρον και επεστησαν αυτω σωρον λιθων εως της ημερας ταυτης

The ancient Greek word "ἀγγαρεύω" ≈ "dispatch as a courier, press into service" and appears to be of Persian origin and the source of the Greek word for "messenger" or "angel" and the English word for "angel".

Herodotus reports on the Persian system of mounted couriers that was similar to the Pony Express in the 19th century.They could take messages from Susa (Esther) to Sardis (Revelation church), about 1700 miles, in nine days (almost 200 miles a day).

The motto of the Persian postal service became memorable: stopped by neither snow, rain, heat or gloom of night. The US postal service also adopted this motto and the famous Pony Express mail delivery resembled the original Persian design. http://www.mage.com/TLbody.html (as of 2007-02-11)

[pony with a sore throat]

More: Herodotus

More: Matthew 5:41 Walk a mile for a camel

More: Daniel 12: Knowledge shall increase in the end times

Herodotus writes (5th Century BC):

English: It is said that as many days as there are in the whole journey, so many are the men and horses that stand along the road, each horse and man at the interval of a day’s journey; and these are stayed neither by snow nor rain nor heat nor darkness from accomplishing their appointed course with all speed.

Greek: λέγουσι γὰρ ὡς ὁσέων ἂν ἡμερέων ᾖ ἡ πᾶσα ὁδός, τοσοῦτοι ἵπποι τε καὶ ἄνδρες διεστᾶσι κατὰ ἡμερησίην ὁδὸν ἑκάστην ἵππος τε καὶ ἀνὴρ τεταγμένος: τοὺς οὔτε νιφετός, οὐκ ὄμβρος, οὐ καῦμα, οὐ νὺξ ἔργει μὴ οὐ κατανύσαι τὸν προκείμενον αὐτῷ δρόμον τὴν ταχίστην.

General rule: To mail via USPS you need their stamp of approval.

Use FedEx when the package absolutely positively needs to get there tomorrow.
Use the USPS when the package absolutely positively needs to get there eventually.

More: Daniel 12: Knowledge shall increase in the end times

Matthew 27:32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross. [kjv]

εξερχομενοι δε ευρον ανθρωπον κυρηναιον ονοματι σιμωνα τουτον ηγγαρευσαν ινα αρη τον σταυρον αυτου [gnt]

The primary definition of the word translated as "compel" is to "press into service as a courier". If the context permits, it can be "press into service" for some other task. This appears to be the usage at the crucifixion where Simon is "compelled" to carry the cross for Jesus.

Might the "cross", unlike the baggage of a Roman soldier, somehow, represent a "message"? That is, the "message" of the "cross".

What if an "evil" entity "compelled" you to be "pressed into service as a courier" to deliver a false message or indistinct message to a "member", or go a "mile" doing or "speaking" so?

More: Matthew 5:41 Walk a mile for a camel

Mark 15:21 And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross. [kjv]

και αγγαρευουσιν παραγοντα τινα σιμωνα κυρηναιον ερχομενον απ αγρου τον πατερα αλεξανδρου και ρουφου ινα αρη τον σταυρον αυτου [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "ἀγγαρεύω" ≈ "dispatch as a courier, press into service".

The ancient Greek word "παράγω" ≈ "lead past, move along, go past".

Was Simon carrying a message?

More: Matthew 5:41 Walk a mile for a camel

Matthew 5:41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. [kjv]

και οστις σε αγγαρευσει μιλιον εν υπαγε μετ αυτου δυο [gnt]

… quicumque … angariaverit mille passus … cum illo … duo [v]

5:41 paraphrase: Whosoever [enemy, hostile, bones] compels (you) to be a messenger with a message one mile [with an indistinct message, millstone] go away with the message two [of God].

Example: Paul was compelled as a messenger of the religious institution to go one mile (with an indistinct message). Instead, he changed course and went two miles (and more) with a message of God.

More: Matthew 5:41 Walk a mile for a camel

Matthew 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. [kjv]

10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. [kjv]

The English word "acolyte" comes from the late Latin word "acolythus" ≈ "acolyte" which comes from the ancient Greek word "ἀκόλουθος" ≈ "following, attending". That word comes from "κέλευθος" ≈ "road, way, path" which is from "κελεύω" ≈ "urge, command" which appears in the KJV (King James Version) and the LXX.
The idea appears to be that if one is not commanding or leading than one is following or attending. We are told to be "followers" and not "leaders" in the human sense of the word. An interesting use of the word for "command" appears in a verse for the "rapture" and often translated as "shout".

More: Words: Follow as not commanding

More: Matthew 10:38-42 Commanded to follow in the cross walk

Matthew 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. [kjv]

ο γαρ ζυγος μου χρηστος και το φορτιον μου ελαφρον εστιν [gnt]

1:16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. [kjv]

ιακωβ δε εγεννησεν τον ιωσηφ τον ανδρα μαριας εξ ης εγεννηθη ιησους ο λεγομενος χριστος [gnt]

The Greek for "yoke" is, literally, "two going together". There is a play on words of "useful", not "easy", with "Christ". Today these words mean the same thing and are pronounced the same.

"χρηστός" ≈ "useful". Without the play on words: My yoke is useful.
"χριστός" ≈ "anointed one, Christ". With the play on words: My yoke is Christ.

Paul uses the same play on words in Romans 16 where false teachers will use "useful" "words" rather than "Christ" "words"

More: Romans 16 A belly-ache pun on useful Christ-like words

There are interesting words in the intervening verses 18 to 29.

Details are left as a future topic.

More: Matthew 11:15-19 A pipe dream in the market place