Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousnessThis phrase highlights the paradox of the Christian life, where suffering for doing what is right is considered a blessing. In the biblical context, persecution often came from both religious and secular authorities who opposed the teachings of Jesus. The early Christians faced persecution from Jewish leaders and the Roman Empire, as seen in the Acts of the Apostles. This persecution was not just physical but also social and economic, as believers were often ostracized from their communities. The concept of being "blessed" in the face of persecution echoes the Old Testament, where figures like Daniel and the prophets faced opposition for their faithfulness to God. This phrase also connects to Jesus' own life, as He was persecuted and ultimately crucified for His righteousness. The call to endure persecution is a call to follow in the footsteps of Christ, who promised that His followers would face similar trials (
John 15:20).
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
This promise assures believers that despite earthly suffering, they have a secure place in God's eternal kingdom. The "kingdom of heaven" is a central theme in Jesus' teachings, representing both a present spiritual reality and a future hope. It signifies God's rule and reign in the hearts of believers and the ultimate fulfillment of His promises. This assurance would have been particularly comforting to early Christians who faced severe persecution, reminding them that their suffering was not in vain. The phrase also ties back to the Beatitudes' opening statement, creating an inclusio that frames the entire section with the promise of the kingdom. This promise is not just for the future but is a present reality for those who live under God's rule, as seen in passages likePhilippians 3:20, where believers are described as citizens of heaven.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Jesus ChristThe speaker of the Beatitudes, delivering the Sermon on the Mount, where He outlines the characteristics of those who belong to the kingdom of heaven.
2.
Disciples and FollowersThe immediate audience of Jesus' teaching, representing all believers who strive to live according to His teachings.
3.
The Kingdom of HeavenA central theme in Jesus' teachings, representing the reign and rule of God, both in the present spiritual sense and the future fulfillment.
4.
Persecuted BelieversThose who suffer for their faith and adherence to righteousness, a common experience for early Christians and many believers throughout history.
5.
The Sermon on the MountThe setting of this teaching, a collection of Jesus' teachings found in Matthew chapters 5-7, which outlines the values and ethics of the kingdom of heaven.
Teaching Points
Understanding PersecutionRecognize that persecution is a reality for those who live righteously in a fallen world. It is not a sign of God's disfavor but a mark of true discipleship.
The Blessing of PersecutionEmbrace the paradox that those who are persecuted for righteousness are blessed. This blessing is not necessarily material but spiritual, with the promise of the kingdom of heaven.
Responding to PersecutionDevelop a Christ-like response to persecution, characterized by love, forgiveness, and prayer for persecutors, following Jesus' example.
Eternal PerspectiveMaintain an eternal perspective, understanding that earthly suffering for righteousness is temporary and leads to eternal reward in the kingdom of heaven.
Encouragement in CommunitySupport and encourage fellow believers who face persecution, standing together in faith and prayer, and sharing in each other's burdens.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Matthew 5:10?
2.How can we prepare for persecution as described in Matthew 5:10?
3.What does "for the sake of righteousness" mean in Matthew 5:10?
4.How does Matthew 5:10 connect with 2 Timothy 3:12 on persecution?
5.In what ways can we support others facing persecution for righteousness?
6.How can we find joy in persecution, knowing "theirs is the kingdom"?
7.What does "persecuted for righteousness' sake" mean in Matthew 5:10?
8.How does Matthew 5:10 relate to modern Christian persecution?
9.Why does God allow persecution according to Matthew 5:10?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 5?
11.Is martyrdom the seed of the church's growth?
12.Who are blessed for enduring persecution for righteousness?
13.Who was John Foxe and what did he write?
14.What are the core teachings of the Sermon on the Mount?What Does Matthew 5:10 Mean
Blessed are those“Blessed” in Scripture means more than a passing feeling; it is a settled, God-given favor that endures. This promise is not conditional on earthly comfort but on God’s declaration. InLuke 6:22-23 we see a parallel statement where Jesus says we are “blessed” when people hate us for His sake, underscoring that true blessing often stands in contrast to worldly approval.Psalm 1:1-3 portrays the blessed person as planted by streams of water, flourishing because of wholehearted devotion to the Lord. Jesus echoes that image here: the blessed life is rooted in Him, not in changing circumstances.
who are persecutedPersecution takes many forms—slander, exclusion, or physical harm.Acts 5:40-41 records the apostles rejoicing after flogging because they were considered worthy to suffer for Christ’s name. Paul reminds Timothy, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12).
• Persecution is not accidental but expected for faithful believers.
• It often sharpens our witness, just asPhilippians 1:12-14 shows the gospel advancing through Paul’s imprisonment.
• God never wastes suffering;Romans 8:28 affirms He works all things together for good.
because of righteousnessThe suffering Jesus blesses is not for wrongdoing but for doing what is right before God. In1 Peter 3:14 we read, “Even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.” Righteousness is practical: loving truth, rejecting sin, standing for justice, and confessing Christ openly. When we suffer for these reasons, we share in the heart of Christ Himself, who “committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth” (1 Peter 2:22-23), yet bore the cross for our salvation.
for theirs is the kingdom of heavenJesus repeats this reward from the first Beatitude (Matthew 5:3), framing the whole list with the promise of present and future citizenship in His kingdom.Colossians 1:13 celebrates that God “has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son.”
• “Theirs” signals certainty: the kingdom already belongs to those who trust Christ.
• This kingdom is both now and not yet—experienced in spiritual rebirth (John 3:3-5) and fully realized when Christ returns (Revelation 21:1-4).
• Present hardships cannot rival future glory;Romans 8:17-18 assures us that if we share in His sufferings we will also share in His glory.
summaryMatthew 5:10 assures believers that God’s lasting favor rests on those who endure opposition for living rightly. Such persecution is a mark of genuine faith, aligning us with prophets, apostles, and Christ Himself. While the world may reject us, God grants a greater reward—the kingdom of heaven, ours now and forever.
(10)
Persecuted for righteousness sake.--Here again there is a profound significance in the order. The work of the peacemakers is not a light and easy work. Often, as of old, when we "labour for peace," men "make them ready for battle" (
Psalm 120:7); but not the less is the blessing sure to follow. Amid seeming failure or seeming success, those who are persecuted, not for opinions, but for right conduct, the true martyrs and confessors of righteousness, attain their reward at last. There is something suggestive in the fact that the last promise is the same as the first. We end, as we began, with "the kingdom of heaven;" but the path by which we have been led leads us to see that that includes all the intermediate blessings, of which at first it seemed but the prelude and beginning.
Verse 10. -
Which are persecuted;
which have been persecuted (Revised Version);
οἱδεδιωγμένοι. "Those who are harassed, hunted, spoiled. The term is properly used of wild beasts pursued by hunters, or of an enemy or malefactor in flight" (Wetstein). Our Lord, by the use of the perfect, wishes to indicate
(1) the fact that they have endured persecution, and still stand firm; and probably
(2) the condition of temporal loss to which they have been reduced by such persecution. They have "suffered the loss," possibly, "of all things," but they are "blessed."For righteouness' sake (ἕνεκενδικαιοσύνης). No article (contrast ver. 6), either as indicating that for even a part of righteousness persecution can be undergone, or, and more probably, simply dwelling on the cause of persecution without idealizing it. St. Peter also says, perhaps with a reference to our Lord's words, that they who sufferδιὰ δικαιοσύνην areμακάριοι (1 Peter 3:14).For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. The same promise that was given to "the poor in spirit" (ver. 3) is here given to the persecuted for righteousness' sake. In the former case, poverty in the sphere of the spirit obtains the fullest possessions; here the same promise is given to temporal loss produced by faithfulness to the cause of righteousness. In ver. 3 our Lord removed all occasion for intellectual and spiritual pride. Here he comforts for temporal and social losses (cf. especially2 Corinthians 6:10; further see ver. 3, note). Clement of Alexandria, 'Strom.,' 4:6 (p. 582, Potter)
(1) confuses this and the preceding Beatitude; . . .
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Blessed [are]Μακάριοι(Makarioi)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3107:Happy, blessed, to be envied. A prolonged form of the poetical makar; supremely blest; by extension, fortunate, well off.those whoοἱ(hoi)Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.are persecutedδεδιωγμένοι(dediōgmenoi)Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1377:To pursue, hence: I persecute. A prolonged form of a primary verb dio; to pursue; by implication, to persecute.because ofἕνεκεν(heneken)Preposition
Strong's 1752:Or heneken hen'-ek-en or heineken hi'-nek-en; of uncertain affinity; on account of.righteousness,δικαιοσύνης(dikaiosynēs)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1343:From dikaios; equity; specially justification.forὍτι(Hoti)Conjunction
Strong's 3754:Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.theirsαὐτῶν(autōn)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.isἐστιν(estin)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.theἡ(hē)Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.kingdomβασιλεία(basileia)Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 932:From basileus; properly, royalty, i.e. rule, or a realm.ofτῶν(tōn)Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.heaven.οὐρανῶν(ouranōn)Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3772:Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.
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NT Gospels: Matthew 5:10 Blessed are those who have been persecuted (Matt. Mat Mt) 
