Thematic Bible: Instances of persecution


Thematic Bible



And the spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, and he stepped up above the people and said to them, "Thus sayeth God: 'Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD? Ye shall therefore not prosper, but as ye have forsaken him, so shall he forsake you.'" Whereupon they conspired against him and stoned him with stones, at the commandment of the king: even in the court of the house of the LORD.

Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, "How is the spirit of the LORD gone from me, to speak in thee?" And Micaiah said, "Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go from chamber to chamber to hide thee." And the king of Israel said, "Take Micaiah and carry him back again into Amon the governor of the city, and unto Joab the king's son, read more.
and say, 'Thus sayeth the king. Put ye this fellow in the prison house and feed him with bread and water straightly, until I return in peace.'"

Then the chief priest rose up, and all they that were with him: which is the sect of the Sadducees: and were full of indignation, and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors and brought them forth, and said, read more.
"Go step forth, and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life." When they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning and taught. The chief priest came and they that were with him and called a council together, and all the elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to fetch them. When the ministers came and found them not in the prison, they returned and told, saying, "The prison found we shut as sure as was possible and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened we found no man within." When the chief priest of all and the ruler of the temple and the high priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow. Then came one and showed them, "Behold, the men that ye put in prison stand in the temple, and teach the people." Then went the ruler of the temple with ministers, and brought them without violence. For they feared the people lest they should have been stoned. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the chief priest asked them, saying, "Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? And behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and ye intend to bring this man's blood upon us." Peter and the other apostles answered, and said, "We ought more to obey God than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on tree. Him hath God lift up with his right hand, to be a ruler and a saviour: for to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are his records as concerning these things: and also the holy ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him." When they heard that, they clave asunder, and sought means to slay them. Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a doctor of law, had in authority among all the people and bade to put the apostles aside a little space, and said unto them, "Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. Before these days rose up one Theudas boasting himself, to whom resorted a number of men, about a four hundred, which was slain, and they all which believed him were scattered abroad, and brought to nought. After this man arose there up one Judas of Galilee, in the time when tribute began, and drew away much people after him. He also perished: and all, even as many as harkened to him, are scattered abroad. And now I say unto you: refrain yourselves from these men, let them alone: For if the counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: but and if it be of God, ye cannot destroy it, lest haply ye be found to strive against God." And to him they agreed, and called the apostles, and beat them, and commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the council rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer rebuke for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house they ceased not, teaching and preaching Jesus Christ.

and because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further, and took Peter also. Then were the days of sweetbread. And when he had caught him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to be kept, intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Then was Peter kept in prison. But prayer was made without ceasing of the congregation unto God for him. read more.
And when Herod would have brought him out unto the people, the same night slept Peter between two soldiers, bound with two chains; And the keepers before the door kept the prison. And behold, the angel of the Lord was there present, and a light shined in the lodge. And he smote Peter on the side, and stirred him up, saying, "Arise up quickly." And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, "Gird thyself and bind on thy sandals." And so he did. And he said unto him, "Cast on thy mantle about thee, and follow me." And he came out, and followed him: and wist not that it was truth which was done by the angel; but thought he had seen a vision. When they were past the first and the second watch, they came unto the iron gate, that leadeth unto the city, which opened to them by his own accord. And they went out and passed through one street, and by and by the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, "Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the waiting for of the people of the Jews." And as he considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of one John, which was called Mark also, where many were gathered together in prayer. As Peter knocked at the entry door, a damsel came forth to hearken, named Rhoda. And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the entry for gladness, but ran in and told how Peter stood before the entry. And they said unto her, "Thou art mad." And she bare them down that it was even so. Then said they, "It is his angel." Peter continued knocking: When they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. And he beckoned unto them with the hand to hold their peace, and told them by what means the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, "Go show these things unto James and to the brethren." And he departed and went into another place. As soon as it was day there was no little ado among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. When Herod had called for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded them to depart. And he descended from Jewry to Caesarea, and there abode.

Whereupon Asa was wroth with the seer and put him in the converting house, for he was displeased with him because of that. Moreover Asa oppressed certain of the people the same season. Verse ConceptsCruelty, examples ofAnger, HumanImprisonmentsOppression, Nature OfPrisonersProphets, Lives OfSpiteTemperAnger, Sinful ExamplesVindictiveness