11 Bible Verses about Martyrdom, Reasons For

he had power likewise to animate the image made for the beast, so that the image was made to speak, and as many as would not worship the image were order'd to be killed.

and said to his servants, this is John the baptist, he is risen from the dead, and consequently is invested with miraculous power. for Herod having secur'd John, bound him, and put him in prison to please Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. for John had said to him, it is not lawful for thee to have her.read more.
he would have put him to death, but for fear of the people, who reckoned him a prophet. but when Herod's birth-day was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced in publick, and made such an impression upon Herod, that he promised her upon oath, to give whatever she should ask; who being before instructed by her mother, pray, said she, order John Baptist's head to be brought here in a charger. and the king relented: nevertheless out of regard to the oath, and to those who sat with him at table, he commanded it to be brought to her. and pursuant to order, John was beheaded in the prison, whence his head was brought in a charger, and given to the young lady, who carried it to her mother. upon which, his disciples came to take away the body, and having buried it, they went to tell Jesus what had happened.

for Herod had given orders to seize John, and had confin'd him in prison, to gratify Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom he had married; upon which John told him, "it is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." which Herodias resented, and form'd a design against his life, but could not execute it;read more.
because Herod had a respect for John, knowing him to be a very honest good man, and therefore protected him; having reform'd many things upon his remonstrances, which he us'd to receive very graciously. however, a favourable opportunity happen'd for her, upon Herod's making an entertainment the birth-night, for all the great officers of the court, and army, and persons of the first distinction in Galilee. for Herodias made her appearance there, and danc'd with such an engaging air in the eye of Herod, as well as of all the company, that the king thus addrest himself to the young lady, "ask of me whatever you please, and it shall be granted." nay, he ratified his promise with an oath, "I will give you whatever you require, said he, tho' it be even the half of my kingdom." then she withdrew, and said to her mother, what shall I ask? the head of John the Baptist, said she. upon which she instantly fled to the king, and said, I desire to have John the Baptist's head brought hither immediately in a charger. at this the king was exceedingly concern'd; however, in regard to his oath, and to those who were at table with him, he would not refuse her; but immediately dispatch'd the proper officer with orders to bring the head of John the Baptist. accordingly he went, and beheaded him in the prison, and bringing the head in a charger, he presented it to the young lady, who gave it to her mother: of which John's disciples being inform'd, they came to fetch his corps, which they laid in a sepulchre.

stubborn people, whose hearts and ears like the uncircumcised, are always averse to the holy spirit: as your fathers did, so do ye. was there ever any prophet whom your fathers did not persecute? have they not slain those who predicted the coming of that just person whom you have so lately betrayed and murder'd? you, I say, who received the law by the administration of angels, but have not however observ'd it.read more.
When they heard these things, they were transported with rage, and gnashed their teeth against him. but he, full of the holy spirit, fix'd his eyes towards heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. and he said, there I see the heavens open, and the son of man standing on the right hand of God. then they broke out into a loud cry, and stopping their ears, fell upon him all at once. then they dragg'd him out of the city, and stoned him: the false witnesses having laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit, will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which in the mystical stile is called Sodom and Egypt, where our Lord was crucified. the people of different tribes, languages, and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and not suffer them to be buried in the grave.read more.
the inhabitants of the land will rejoice, and triumph over them, they will send presents to one another; because the two prophets had gall'd the inhabitants of the land.

then shall they deliver you up to torments, and to death: and ye shall be hated by all nations upon my account.

then the brother shall betray his brother to death, and the father his son: children shall prosecute their parents, and be the instruments to take away their lives: you will be the object of universal hatred upon my account; but he that shall persevere unto the end, shall be saved.

you will be betrayed even by your very parents, and brethren, and kindred, and friends. nay, some of you they will prosecute even to death. you will be hated by all mankind for professing my name,

not acting like Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother: but why did he slay him? because his own actions were evil, and his brother's were virtuous.

Upon her forehead this mystical title was written, Babylon the great, the mother of harlots, and abominations of the earth.

When he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they maintain'd.