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.

Cross References

1 Peter 4:14

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].

Luke 21:17

And you will be hated by all people for being loyal to me.

Mark 13:13

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].

Matthew 24:9

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.

Luke 6:22

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.

1 Peter 2:23

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].

John 15:21

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.

Matthew 10:22

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].

Matthew 10:39

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]

Revelation 2:3

And you have persevered and endured [suffering] for my name’s sake [i.e., in my service] and [yet] have not grown weary.

Matthew 19:29

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.

2 Corinthians 4:11

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].

1 Corinthians 4:10

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.

Romans 8:36

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.”

Luke 21:12

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.

Luke 9:24

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].

Mark 8:35

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].

Matthew 10:25

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!

Acts 9:16

I will show him how many things he will have to suffer for my name's sake.”

Mark 13:9

“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.

Matthew 27:39

And those who passed by [the cross] shouted abuse at Him and shook their heads [in derision],

Mark 4:17

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].

Matthew 10:18

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.

John 9:28

Then they began ridiculing him, saying, “You are his disciple, but we are Moses’ disciples.

Philippians 1:29

Because God has granted you [the privilege], on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.