Yes, you will [even] be brought in front of governors and kings for being loyal to me. [This will give you an opportunity] for witnessing to them [as well] as to the [unconverted] Gentiles.
Matthew 5:11 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition) You will be blessed when people speak against you and harm you and say bad things about you that are untrue, because of [your devotion to] me. More versionsKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous–with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of your outward conditions) are you when people revile you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things against you falsely on My account. American Standard Version (1901) Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Common English Bible “Happy are you when people insult you and harass you and speak all kinds of bad and false things about you, all because of me. Catholic Public Domain Version Blessed are you when they have slandered you, and persecuted you, and spoken all kinds of evil against you, falsely, for my sake: Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake: |
Yes, you will [even] be brought in front of governors and kings for being loyal to me. [This will give you an opportunity] for witnessing to them [as well] as to the [unconverted] Gentiles.
And you will be hated by everyone for being loyal to me. But the person who endures [this persecution by remaining faithful] to the end [of his life] is the one who will be saved [i.e., from spiritual and physical destruction].
A disciple is doing well if he can be [as good] as his teacher, and the slave [as good] as his master. If they have called the master of the house [i.e., Jesus] Beelzebub [i.e., the chief of evil spirits. See Mark 3:22], how much more [likely] will they call members of his household [i.e., the disciples] the same thing!
The person who finds [everything to satisfy him in] this life [here on earth] will lose [never ending life]. But the person who [is willing to] lose [the comforts and security of] this life [here on earth] for my sake [i.e., in loyal service to me] will find it [i.e., never ending life]. [See Mark 10:29-30]
And every person who has left his house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children or property, for my name’s sake [i.e., to become a servant of the Lord], will receive [back] a hundred times as much [in this life] and will [also] inherit never ending life.
At that time people will turn you over [to the authorities] for persecution and will [even] kill you. And people from all countries will hate you for being loyal to me.
And those who passed by [the cross] shouted abuse at Him and shook their heads [in derision],
You will be hated by all people because you belong to me, but the person who holds out [i.e., remains faithful to God] until the end [i.e., the end of this time of severe persecution] will be saved [from destruction].
“But pay attention to yourselves, for people will turn you over to [Jewish] councils [i.e., for judgment] and you will be beaten in synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings for being loyal to me. [This will afford you an opportunity] for witnessing to them.
but [since] they had such shallow roots, they continued on for [only] a little while. Then, when trouble and persecution arose over [obeying] ‘the word,’ immediately they stumbled [i.e., and fell away from God].
For whoever would [try to] save his life [i.e., by neglecting spiritual things] will lose it [i.e., miss out on the blessings of God]. But whoever [is willing] to lose his life [i.e., in commitment to God’s service] for my sake and [the work of] the Gospel’s sake, will save it [i.e., obtain both temporal and spiritual blessings].
But before all these things happen, the authorities will grab hold of you, and persecute you, and turn you over to the synagogues and prisons [i.e., for punishment and confinement]. They will take you in front of kings and governors for being loyal to me.
You are blessed when men hate you and withdraw their fellowship from you and speak abusively about you and reject your name as evil, [all] for being loyal to the Son of man.
For whoever would [try to] save his life [i.e., by neglecting spiritual things] will lose it [i.e., miss out on the blessings of God]. But whoever [willingly] loses his life [i.e., in commitment to God’s service] for my sake, that person will save it [i.e., obtain both temporal and spiritual blessings].
They would not be guilty of sinning if I had not come and spoken to them. But now [that I have], they have no excuse for their sin.
Then they began ridiculing him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are Moses’ disciples.
I will show him how many things he will have to suffer for my name's sake.”
Just as it is written [Psa. 44:22], “We are [in danger of being] killed all the time. We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
We are “fools” for Christ’s sake, but you people [think you] are “wise” in [the fellowship of] Christ. We are weak, but you people [think you] are “strong.” You are honored, but we are despised.
For while we live, we are always exposed to death for Jesus’ sake [See Rom. 8:36], so that the life of Jesus may be demonstrated in our mortal bodies [i.e., in our weak and frail human nature].
Because God has granted you [the privilege], on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.
When He was spoken to with harsh insults, He did not reply in the same way. When He was made to suffer, He did not threaten [His tormentors], but instead entrusted Himself to God, [whom He knew] would make a righteous judgment [in the matter].
If you are spoken against for being Christians, you have God’s blessing, because His glorious Holy Spirit rests upon you [to provide comfort, See John 14:16].
And you have persevered and endured [suffering] for my name’s sake [i.e., in my service] and [yet] have not grown weary.