Thematic Bible: Suffering for righteousness' sake


Thematic Bible









And He chose what the world considers insignificant and contemptible, and [even] what it considers "nothing," in order to nullify what appears to be something. Verse ConceptsChosen InstrumentsHumilityArrogant ExistenceChosen DisciplesOther Unimportant PeopleimportanceJustification Excluding Boasting












But, watch out for people, for they will turn you over to the [Jewish] councils [for judgment] and will have you flogged in their synagogues. Verse ConceptsFloggingPersecution, Forms OfPersecution, Nature OfSanhedrinSuffering, Of BelieversSynagogueBeing BewarePersecution PredictedHanding Over PeopleBeating BelieversDanger From Men

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. Verse ConceptsGovernorsImprisonmentsPersecution, Nature OfPersecution PredictedBeforeHanding Over PeopleGentile RulersPersecutionjail

Remember what I said to you, 'A slave is not greater [in importance] than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will [also] persecute you, too; if they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. Verse ConceptsFate Of The GodlyFaith, As A Body Of Beliefsdiscipleship, cost ofHumiliationRememberingServanthood, In SocietySuffering, Causes OfPersecution, Nature OfPersecution, OriginPersecution PredictedInferioritySlavesThey Do Not Keep CommandsPersecution




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. Verse ConceptsFaultsReproachClaimsHatredSeparationSpiritual Warfare, Enemies InHated SaintsExcommunicationNames Blotted OutExclusionPeople Being HatedBlessing OthersRejectionhaters

He considered suffering ridicule for Christ's sake to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking forward to his reward. Verse ConceptsReproachHeavenly RewardsRiches, SpiritualTreasureSufferings RewardedSpiritual TreasuresSeeking Things AboveChoosing God's WayTreasure In HeavenReward For WorksWorthAbuseValueaccounting


Sometimes you were subjected to public ridicule and abuse, and at other times you shared [vicariously] with those people who were treated that way. Verse ConceptsReproachSpectaclePersecutionAbuse

So, we should go out to Him, outside of the camp [Note: This probably signifies separating from the whole system of Judaism, as well as full commitment to Christ], bearing the abuse that He suffered. Verse ConceptsReproachPersecution, Forms OfDislikingOutside The CampSharingAbuse

[But] Paul answered, "What are you trying to do [by your] crying and breaking my heart [like this]? [Do you not know that] I am ready, not only to be chained up, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus?" Verse ConceptsGiving, Of OneselfAfflicted Saints, Examples OfeagernessMartyrdom, Qualities OfReadinessSelf DenialShepherds, As Church LeaderWeepingLove Towards Christ, The Nature OfMartyrdom Of The SaintsLove For GodMartyrdom, Believers Attitude TowardsDeath Of God's PeopleEvangelismBreaking Chainsjerusalem

And if I donate all my possessions to feed poor people, and if I surrender my body to be burned [Note: This probably refers to becoming a martyr, but some manuscripts read, "that I may be able to boast"], but do not have love [for people], it is no benefit to me. Verse ConceptsPoverty, Causes OfSelf SacrificeZealGenerosityLoving OthersLove To OthersBenevolenceMartyrdom, Methods OfDamage To The BodyBurning PeopleHalf Of PossessionsGiving To The PoorUnlovingI Am UnimportantThe Surrendered lifeMartyrdomLoving YourselfSurrenderHelping The PoorTrue LoveUnconditional LoveBeing LovedHardshipFeeding The Poorpossessionslovingbranding

Then I saw thrones, with individuals sitting on them who had been given [authority] to judge. And I [also] saw the souls of those who had been decapitated because they had testified about Jesus and [had proclaimed] the message of God. [They are] the ones who had refused to worship the beast or his statue, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And these ones lived again and ruled with Christ for a thousand years. Verse ConceptsForeheads666Faithfulness, To Godevil, victory overdefianceBeheadingThe BeastJudgesJudgment SeatPunishment, Legal Aspects OfSelf SacrificeThe Immortal SoulMartyrdom, Methods OfSufferings RewardedRemoving HeadsCosmic CreaturesBelievers JudgingMarks On PeopleAuthority Of DisciplesAvoiding IdolatrySubsequent Witness To ChristWorshipping The DevilMark Of The BeastHow First Resurrection Is Spread OutSigns Of The Timesend times prophecyMartyrdom



Then Herod and his soldiers treated Jesus with contempt and mocked Him. They dressed Him in a luxurious robe and then sent Him back to Pilate. Verse ConceptsClothingMockeryRidicule, Objects OfSoldiersPersecution Of ChristFine ClothesMocking ChristSoldiers Treatment Of ChristFunassertiveness

So, for this reason the Jews began persecuting Jesus, because He did these [kinds of] things on the Sabbath day. Verse ConceptsPersecution, Nature OfPlottingPersecution Of ChristThe Sabbath And ChristWhy People Did Things

They rose up and threw Jesus out of the city, leading Him to the top of the hill on which the city was built, in order to throw Him down [from a cliff]. Verse ConceptsRejection Of ChristPersecution Of ChristThrowing PeopleDriving Out ChristPeople Getting Upjumping

Then after these things happened, Jesus traveled in Galilee [only], for He did not want to move around in Judea because the Jews [there] were trying to kill Him. Verse Conceptsenemies, of Jesus ChristAssassinations, AttemptedJews, ThePersecution Of ChristChrist Would Be Killed

I know that you people are [all] descendants of Abraham; yet you are trying to kill me because you will not allow my message to affect you. Verse ConceptsPersecution Of ChristChrist Knowing About PeopleChrist Would Be KilledNo Room

[Then] the Jews again tried to arrest Him, but He escaped from their hands. Verse ConceptsExamples Of EscapingPersecution Of ChristArresting ChristOthers Who Fledtrying

[Upon hearing this], the head priest Ananias ordered that those standing closest to Paul hit him on the mouth. Verse ConceptsConfrontationHigh Priest, In NtSmitingSmiting Of The RighteousOther References To MouthsRivers

And they spat on Him and took the stick and beat Him on the head with it. Verse ConceptsSmitingThe Smiting Of JesusSpittingSmiting Of The RighteousBatteryBeating JesusSaliva



When Jesus said this, one of the guards standing there struck Him [in the face], saying, "Is that any way to talk to the head priest?" Verse ConceptsIndignities Suffered By ChristSmitingSmiting Of The RighteousAnswering People


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]. Verse ConceptsDying With ChristSuffering For Christ's SakeLife With Christ

So, I am pleased to [endure] weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and difficulties, [all] for Christ's sake. For when I am weak [physically], then I am strong [spiritually]. Verse ConceptsInsultsPersecution, Nature OfWeakness, SpiritualInfirmitiesSuffering For Christ's SakeGod Giving StrengthGod Gives StrengthHard TasksGrace Being SufficientPersecutionWeaknessStaying Strong During Hard TimesHardship


They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were executed by the sword. They traveled around in sheepskin and goatskin clothing; they were destitute, afflicted and mistreated. Verse ConceptsFleecesDeath penaltyMartyrdom Of The SaintsStoningMartyrdom, Methods OfPeople Cut In PiecesAnimal SkinsFoul ClothesHalf Of BodiesPeople Actually Doing Evil



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. Verse ConceptsFools, Characteristics OfFolly, Examples OfWeakness, SpiritualWisdom, Human NatureWisdom, Source Of HumanSuffering For Christ's SakeStrong PeopleCounted As FoolsGod Bestowing GloryWise Men In The ChurchFoolsWeaknesschristianity


Whoever hits you on one side of the face, allow him [to hit you on] the other side also; and when someone takes away your coat, do not stop him from also taking away your shirt [i.e., if he insists on it]. Verse ConceptsCloaksCheeksSelf DefenceDressSmitten CheeksSmiting Of The RighteousPeople Giving ClothesOuter GarmentsInner GarmentsAccepting BeatingsRobbing PeopleTurning The Other Cheek




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] Verse ConceptsGiving, Of OneselfFindingCommitment, to Jesus ChristLife, HumanSuffering For Christ's SakeKeeping Oneself AliveFinding ThingsLosing One's LifeThe Surrendered lifelosing a loved oneFinding LoveLosing A FriendLosing FriendsBeing LostNever Giving UpLoss Of A Loved OneLosing SomeoneriskLife That Is Worth Living



Yes, I tell you, this generation will be punished [for the death of the prophets], from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zachariah, who died between the Altar and the sanctuary [i.e., in the Temple area]. [Note: This punishment began about Verse ConceptsAbel and CainMartyrdom Of The SaintsNamed Prophets Of The LordMartyrdom


And immediately the king sent a soldier who served as his guard and ordered him to bring John's head to him. So, he went and decapitated him in the prison, Verse ConceptsMartyrdom Of The SaintsDeath penaltyCommands, in NTPrisonersPunishment, Legal Aspects OfExecutionersRemoving HeadsKilling DisciplesDeath Penalty For Killing

They threw him out of the city and stoned him [to death]. Those who witnessed [the incident] placed their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. Verse ConceptsCrimesevangelists, ministry ofMartyrdom, Examples OfMartyrdom Of The SaintsMartyrdom, Methods OfOutside The City