53 Bible Verses about Persecution

So they left Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been deemed worthy to suffer disgrace for the sake of the Name;

"Blessed are you when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my name's sake.

"I came to build a fire upon the earth; what is my desire? "Would it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how am I straitened till it is accomplished! "Do you think that I am come to make peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather dissension. read more.
"From this time there will be five in one house divided, three against two and two against three; "father against son and son against father; mother against daughter and daughter against her mother; mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."

"Blessed are you when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my name's sake.

"Blessed are you when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my name's sake.

So they left Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been deemed worthy to suffer disgrace for the sake of the Name;

Alexander, the coppersmith, manifested bitter hostility toward me. The Lord will requite him according to his works.

Now just at this time, there arose no small commotion concerning the Way. There was a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, and brought rich profit to his workmen. He gathered them together with others of like occupation, and said: "Men, you know that by this business we make our money. read more.
"And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but almost throughout all of Asia, this fellow Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, by telling them that they are no gods at all who are made with hands. "So there is danger not only that our trade come into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana will be brought into disrepute, and that she herself may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world now worships." After listening to this they were filled with rage, and cried out again and again, saying, The city was filled with commotion. They rushed like one man into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul's companions in travel. When Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not let him, and some of the Asiarchs, too, who were his friends, sent word to him repeatedly, entreating him not to venture into the theater. Now some were shouting one thing, some another, for the assembly was in an uproar, and the majority had no idea why they were come together. And they brought Alexander out of the crowd, whom the Jews had pushed forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, would have made a defense to the people, but when they saw that he was a Jew they all, with one voice, for about two hours, shouted, At length the recorder got them quiet. "Men of Ephesus," he said, "who here does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple-guardian of the great Diana and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? "Since these facts cannot be gainsaid, you ought to be calm and do nothing reckless. "For you have brought these men here, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess. If then Demetrius and his craftsmen have a grievance against any one, the courts are open and there are the proconsuls; let them accuse one another. But if you desire anything further, it must be settled in the regular assembly. For indeed we are in danger of being accused in regard to this day's riot, since there is no cause for it, nor shall we be able to give account for this disorderly gathering." With these words he dismissed the assembly.

Now, brothers, I want you to know about the troubles which befell me in Asia; how I was burdened altogether beyond my strength, so that I renounced all hope even of life itself.

As soon as the Jews in Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul in Berea also, they came there, and stirred up and troubled the crowds. Then the brothers at once sent Paul down to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained behind. Those who were caring for Paul brought him as far as Athens, and there left him, with instructions to Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed.

Yes, and all who purpose to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

But it seems to me that God has exhibited us apostles, last of all, like men doomed to death; for we are made a spectacle to the whole world, both to men and to angels. For Christ's sake we are fools, but you are quite philosophic in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong; you are honorable, but we are outcast. Even to his very hour we are enduring hunger and thirst and nakedness and blows. read more.
Homeless men, we toil, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when defamed, we conciliate. We have been made, as it were, scum-o'-the-earth, the very refuse of the world, to this very hour!

As Jesus was walking out of the Temple courts, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and buildings these are!" "You see these mighty buildings? There shall not be left here one stone upon another which shall not be thrown down," he answered. When he had seated himself on the Mount of Olives, facing the Temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, read more.
"Tell us when these things shall be, and what shall be the sign that all these predictions are about to be fulfilled." So Jesus began to tell them. "Be ye watchful lest any one mislead you. Many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he,' and will mislead many. But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars do not be dismayed, such things must come, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise in arms against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines; these are the beginning of birth-pangs. "You yourselves must be on your guard. They will hand you over to the courts, and you will be flogged on the synagogues; and you will stand before rulers and kings for my sake, to witness to them for me. But the gospel must first be proclaimed to all the nations. When, however, they are leading you all to trial, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but whatever is given you in that hour, that say, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. "And brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise up against their parents, and have them put to death. You will be hated by all men for my name's sake, but he that endures to the end shall be saved.

"Behold, it is I who am sending you forth like sheep among wolves. Be then as serpents and as guileless as doves. "But beware of men! For they will give you up to the Sanhedrin, and flog you in their synagogues. "And you will be taken before governors and kings for my sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. read more.
"But whenever they apprehend you, do not be anxious about how you shall speak or what you shall say; for it will be given you in that very hour what to say. "For it will not be you who is speaking, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. "And brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against their parents and put them to death. "You will be hated by all men because of my name; and he who endures to the end shall be saved. "But when they persecute you in one city, flee to the next. In solemn truth I tell you that you shall not have completed the cities of Israel, before the Son of man comes. "A pupil is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his masters. "It is enough for the pupil to fare like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more, the members of his household.

Then Jesus left the Temple courts and was walking away, when his disciples came to point out to him the Temple buildings. "You see all these buildings?" he answered them; "I tell you solemnly that there shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be torn down." When he had seated himself on the Mount of Olives, his disciples came to him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?" read more.
"Take care," Jesus answered, "that no one mislead you; for many will come in my name saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will mislead many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see to it that you are not afraid. Such things must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these things are the beginning of birth-pangs. Then they will deliver you up to suffer affliction, and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. And then many will stumble and fall, and will betray one another, and hate one another.

Fear not what you are about to suffer! Behold, the devil is indeed going to put some of you in prison, that you may be tested, and you will have persecution for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Then they will deliver you up to suffer affliction, and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake.

"But beware of men! For they will give you up to the Sanhedrin, and flog you in their synagogues.

"But before all these things happen, they will apprehend you and persecute you and deliver you to the synagogues and to prisons, and bring you before kings and governors for the sake of my name.

"Remember what I told you, 'A slave is not better than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you. If they have obeyed my word, they will obey yours also.

Here he found a certain Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife, Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome.

Then Herod and his soldiers set him at naught, and mocked him, and throwing about him a gorgeous robe, sent him back to Pilate.

and because of this the Jews began to persecute Jesus, because he had done it on the Sabbath.

they rose, hurried him outside the town, and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, intending to cast him down headlong.

After these things Jesus continued to travel about in Galilee, for he did not wish to go about in Judea, because the Jews kept trying to kill him.

"I know you are Abraham's descendants; but you are seeking to kill me, Because my teaching has no place in you.

He delivered me from such a death, and will deliver me. On him I have set my hopes that he will continue to deliver me,

as well as the persecutions and sufferings which befell me at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. You know all the persecutions I endured, and how the Lord delivered me out of them all!

And when they heard it they all lifted up their voices in prayer to God, saying. "O Sovereign Lord, who madest heaven and earth and sea, and all that in them is, "who saidest through the Holy Spirit, by the lips of thy servant David, our forefather. "Why did the Gentiles rage, And the peoples form futile plans? "The kings of the earth set themselves in array, And the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord and against his Christ. read more.
"In this very city they did gather together against thy holy Servant, Jesus whom thou hast anointed??erod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and also the tribes of Israel??28 "to do all that thy power and thy will had predetermined should be done.

Meanwhile Saul, still breathing out threats of murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and begged of him letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any that were of the Way, either men or women, he could bind them and bring them to Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, when he was approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed round him. read more.
He fell to the ground, and heard a voice which said to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" And he said, "Who are you Lord?"

"I am the vine, and my Father the vine-grower. "He cuts back any of my branches that bear no fruit, and prunes every fruit-bearing branch, that it may bear more. "Now you are clean through the word which I have spoken to you. read more.
"Abide in me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself except it abide in the vine, no more can you, unless you abide in me. "I am the Vine you are the branches. He who abides in me and I in him, bears abundant fruit; because apart from me you can do nothing. "If any one does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers. Such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire and burned. "If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever your will is, and it shall be yours. "By this is my Father glorified, by your bearing abundant fruit, and so being my disciples. "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. "If you obey my commands you will abide in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and abide in his love. "I have told you these things that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. "This is my command, Love one another as I have loved you. "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. "You are my friends if you do what I command you. "I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have learned from my Father. "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. "This is my command. to love one another. If the worlds hates you, "do not forget that it hated me first. "If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, for that reason the world hates you. "Remember what I told you, 'A slave is not better than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you. If they have obeyed my word, they will obey yours also. "But they will do all these things to you for my name's sake, because they know not Him who sent me. "If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. "He who hates me hates my Father also. "If I had not done among them such works as none ever did, they would have had no sin; but now they have both seen and hated both me and my Father. "And so is fulfilled the word written in their Law, 'They hate me without cause.'

The man went to and told the Jews that it was Jesus who made him well; and because of this the Jews began to persecute Jesus, because he had done it on the Sabbath. But he answered them, "My Father has continued working until now, and I am working too." read more.
For this reason the Jews continued to seek the more eagerly to put him to death, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was actually speaking of God as his own Father, thus making himself of God's equal.

"But when, on my journey, I was nearing Damascus, about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone round about me. "I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me, "'Saul! Saul! why are you persecuting me?' "'Who are you, Lord?' I asked. "'I am Jesus, the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting,' he answered me.

When they were gone an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying; "Rise! Take the young child and his mother and flee into Egypt, and there remain until I bring you word; for Herod intends to make a search for the child, in order to put him to death."

"But when they persecute you in one city, flee to the next. In solemn truth I tell you that you shall not have completed the cities of Israel, before the Son of man comes.

The man stretched it out, and it had become sound like the other. But when the Pharisees came out, they consulted together how they might destroy him. So when Jesus knew it, he withdrew from that place, and numbers of people followed him.

If after the manner of men I have fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what good does it do me? If the dead do not rise, Let us eat and drink, For we shall be dead tomorrow.

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all mankind most pitiable.

I, John, who am your brother and who share with you in the woes and kingdom and stedfastness of Jesus, found myself in the island called Patmos, for the sake of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

They arrested them, and put them in prison till the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who had heard the message believed, and the number of the men came to be about five thousand. There was held in Jerusalem, next morning, a meeting of their rulers, the elders and scribes, read more.
and Annas, the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all the members of the high priests family were present. Then they made the men stand before them and demanded, "By what power, or in what name, have you fellows done this?" Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, answered them. "Rulers and elders of the people, if we are being examined today concerning a benefit conferred upon a cripple, as to how has this man been cured, "be it known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, in him does this man stand before you strong and well. "For he is the Stone, cast aside by you builders, which has become the head stone of the corner. "There is no salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men, in which we must be saved." Now when they beheld the glad fearlessness of Peter and John and had perceived that they were amazed; and they began to recognize them, that they were companions of Jesus. But since they saw the man standing with them who had been healed, they had nothing to answer. So they bade them withdraw from the Sanhedrin, while they conferred together. "What," said they, "shall we do with these men? For it is well known throughout Jerusalem that a notable miracle has been performed by them, and we cannot deny it. "But that the matter may spread no further among the people, let us threaten them not to speak to any one hereafter about this name." So they summoned them, and ordered them not to speak at all, nor to teach in the name of Jesus.

and they apprehended the apostles, and threw them into the public prison. But an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors during the night, and let them out. He said to them, "Go take your stand in the Temple, and continue to tell the people all the words of this Life." read more.
When they heard this they went at early dawn to the Temple, and began to teach. Meantime when the high priest and his followers arrived, they summoned the Sanhedrin and all the Council of the Elders of the sons of Israel, and sent to the prison to fetch the apostles. But the officers who went did not find them in the prison; so they came back and reported, "The prison we found locked fast, with the guards stationed at the doors, but when they were opened we found no one inside." When the officer in charge of the Temple and the high priest heard these words, they were perplexed concerning them, wondering what would come of it. And some one came and told them that the very men whom they had put in prison were standing in the Temple, and teaching to the people. On this the officer went off with his men and fetched them, not, however, by force, for they were afraid that the people would stone them. So they brought them, and stood them before the Sanhedrin. Then the high priest questioned them. "We strictly forbade you, did we not, to teach about this Name, and here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us." But Peter and the apostles said in reply. "We must obey God rather than man. The God of our fathers has raised up Jesus, whom you slew by hanging him on a tree. "Him God has exalted at his right hand as Prince and Saviour, to give Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. "And we are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him." When they heard this they were infuriated, and were minded to kill the apostles; but Gamaliel, a Pharisee, a teacher of the law, and held in honor by all the people, rose from his seat, and ordered the apostles to be put outside for a little while. He said: "Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. "Years ago Theudas arose, claiming to be somebody, and was joined by about four hundred men. He was killed, and all of his followers dispersed and annihilated. "After him Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the enrollment, and drew away some of the people after him. He also perished, and all his followers were scattered. "And now, I say to you, hold aloof from these men. Let them alone; for if this scheme or work be of human origin it will come to nothing; "but if it is from God, you cannot put it down; you may even find yourselves fighting against God." They gave in to him; and called the apostles in, and after flogging them, released them, with instructions not to speak about the name of Jesus. So they left Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been deemed worthy to suffer disgrace for the sake of the Name; but not for a single day did they desist from teaching and preaching in the Temple, and in private houses, the Gospel of Jesus, the Messiah.

Now, at about that time, Herod the king put forth his hands to ill-treat certain members of the church; and beheaded James, the brother of John, with the sword. And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. (This was during the days of unleavened bread.) read more.
He had him arrested and thrown in prison, and put under guard of sixteen soldiers. He intended, after the Passover, to bring him forth to the people. So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer to God was made by the church for him. Now when Herod was about to bring him forth, on that very night, while Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison, suddenly an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the cell. Striking Peter on the side, he woke him saying, "Rise up quickly." At once the chains dropped from his hands. "Gird yourself," said the angel, "and put on your sandals." He did so. Then he said unto him, "Throw your cloak about you, and follow me." So Peter went out, following him, but did not realize that what the angel was doing was real, but supposed that he was seeing a vision. And when they had passed the first guard and the second, they came to the iron gate that led to the city. This opened to them of its own accord; and they went out passed on through one street; and suddenly the angel left him. Peter, coming to himself, said, "Now I know for a certainty that the Lord has sent his angel and released me from the hand of Herod, and from all that the Jewish people were anticipating." So, after he had thought things over, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John, surnamed Mark, where a large number of people were assembled, praying. When he knocked at the door of the gate, a maid servant named Rhoda came to answer. And when she recognized Peter's voice, for very joy she did not open the door, but ran in and told them that Peter was standing in front of the gate. "You are mad," they said. But she confidently insisted that it was so. "It is his angel," they said. Meanwhile Peter continued to knock, until at last they opened the door, and were amazed to see that it was really he. He motioned to them to keep quiet, and told them how the Lord had brought him out of prison. "Tell all this to James," he said, "and to the brothers," and away he went to another place. When morning came there was no small stir among the soldiers as to what could possibly have become of Peter. Then Herod had search made for him, and could not find him. After sharply questioning the guards, he ordered them off to execution. He then went down from Judea to Caesarea, where he stayed for some time.

"But before all these things happen, they will apprehend you and persecute you and deliver you to the synagogues and to prisons, and bring you before kings and governors for the sake of my name.

"Remember what I told you, 'A slave is not better than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you. If they have obeyed my word, they will obey yours also.

but shall receive a hundred times as much, now in this present world, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, lands??nd persecutions with them??nd in the world to come eternal life.

Then those who had been scattered by the trouble that arose over Stephen, traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch; but they preached the word to none except Jews. Some of them, however, were Cyprians and Cyrenaeans, who, on reaching Antioch, began to tell the Greeks also the Good News concerning the Lord Jesus. The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.

With these words he fell asleep. And Saul fully approved of his murder. On this very day there broke out a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostle were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

So those who were scattered abroad were going everywhere preaching the word.

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has turned out rather to help than to the hindrance of the gospel. Throughout the whole Praetorian guard and among all the others it has become plain that these chains of mine are for the sake of Christ; and most of the brothers in the Lord, made confident in the Lord through my imprisonment, are much emboldened to speak God's message with free and fearless confidence.

as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which comes through law, blameless.

although I had formerly been a blasphemer and a persecutor and a doer of outrage. But I obtained mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief.

and because of this the Jews began to persecute Jesus, because he had done it on the Sabbath.

For truly God's justice must render back trouble to those who are troubling you,

"Blessed are those who have been persecuted in the cause of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my name's sake. "Rejoice and exult in it, because your reward was great in the heavens; for so did they persecute the prophets before you.

"Blessed are you when men shall hate you, And excommunicate you and reproach you, and cast out your name as evil because of the Son of man. "Rejoice in that day and exult, For your reward is great in heaven; For even so did their fathers to the prophets.

"And those who dwell on the earth are rejoicing over them, and making merry; and they will send gifts to one another; because these two prophets were a torment to those who dwell on the earth.

"Rejoice and exult in it, because your reward was great in the heavens; for so did they persecute the prophets before you.

But be glad in the degree in which you share in the sufferings of Christ; so that when his glory shall be revealed, you too may be glad with triumphant gladness.

"that upon your heads may come every drop of innocent blood spilt upon the earth, from the blood of Abel, the just, to the blood of Zechariah the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the Sanctuary and the altar.

We are not to be like Cain, who belonged to the Evil One, and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? It was because his own deeds were evil, and his brother's, righteous.

He fell to the ground, and heard a voice which said to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" And he said, "Who are you Lord?"

But the Jews urged on the devout women of high rank, and the leading citizens, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of the district,

"I indeed once thought with myself that I ought to do many things against the name of Jesus, the Nazarene. "And this also I did in Jerusalem. Armed with authority from the chief priests, I shut up many of the saints in prison, and when they were condemned to death I gave my vote against them. "In all the synagogues also I punished them oftentimes, and tried to make them blaspheme; and in my mad fury I was pursuing them even to foreign cities.

With these words he fell asleep. And Saul fully approved of his murder. On this very day there broke out a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostle were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how furiously I used to persecute the church of God, and how I kept seeking to root it out;

Meanwhile Saul, still breathing out threats of murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and begged of him letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any that were of the Way, either men or women, he could bind them and bring them to Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, when he was approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed round him. read more.
He fell to the ground, and heard a voice which said to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" And he said, "Who are you Lord?" "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he said: "Stand up and go into the city, and there you shall be told what you must do." Meanwhile the men who were his fellow travelers stood speechless, hearing indeed the voice, but beholding no one. And Saul got up from the ground, but although his eyes were open, he continued to perceive nothing; so they took him by the hand and led him into Damascus. And he remained there three days, seeing nothing, and without eating or drinking. Now there was in Damascus a disciple named Ananias, and the Lord spoke to him in a vision, saying, "Ananias!" And he answered, "Lo, I am here, Lord." And the Lord said to him. "Arise, go into the street named 'Straight,' and make inquiries in the house of Judas for a man of Tarsus, one Saul. He is now praying, and has seen a man named Ananias enter and lay his hands on him to restore his sight." "But, Lord," said Ananias, "I have heard from many about that man, and how much evil he did to the saints at Jerusalem! "In this city, too, he has authority from the chief priests to arrest all those who call upon thy name."

"Blessed are you when men shall hate you, And excommunicate you and reproach you, and cast out your name as evil because of the Son of man.

"Blessed are those who have been persecuted in the cause of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

"If I had not done among them such works as none ever did, they would have had no sin; but now they have both seen and hated both me and my Father.

"Remember what I told you, 'A slave is not better than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you. If they have obeyed my word, they will obey yours also.

and because of this the Jews began to persecute Jesus, because he had done it on the Sabbath.

"that upon your heads may come every drop of innocent blood spilt upon the earth, from the blood of Abel, the just, to the blood of Zechariah the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the Sanctuary and the altar.

and that I may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for all do not hold the faith.

Homeless men, we toil, working with our own hands.

On the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, although the doors of the room where the disciples gathered had been locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came, and there he stood among them, saying. "Peace to you!"

They answered, "You were wholly born in sins, and do you teach us?" Then they cast him out.

This his parents said because they were afraid of the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if any one should confess that he was the Christ, he should be expelled from the synagogue.

persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.

"Listen to another parable: "A man who was a householder planted a vineyard, fenced it about, dug a wine vat in it, built a tower, then rented it to vine-dressers and went abroad. When the time of fruit drew near, he sent his slaves to the vine-dressers to get his fruit. And the vine-dressers seized his slaves, flogged one, killed another, and stoned a third. read more.
Again he sent other slaves, a larger number than at first, and they treated them in the same way. And last he sent his son to them; 'Surely they will respect my son,' he said. But when the vine-dressers saw his son, they said to themselves: "'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and take his inheritance.' "So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him.

Yes, and all who purpose to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

But I, brothers, if I "still preach circumcision," why am I still persecuted? Then surely the stumbling-block of the Cross has ceased to be an obstacle!

Those who are trying to compel you to be circumcised are such as wish to make a fair show in the flesh, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

but just as in old times the son born by the flesh used to persecute the son born by the power of the Spirit, so also it is now.

Others again bore trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, even of chains and imprisonment.

"But he has no root in himself; he continues for a time, but when trouble arises, or persecutions, on account of the word, at once he stumbles and falls.

Then Jesus said to him. "Put back your sword into its place! for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.

"But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.

So let those who are suffering according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

But if any man is suffering as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him ever glorify God in this Name.

But certain men from the so-called "Synagogue of the Freedmen" and certain Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, Cilicians, and men from Roman Asia, started to dispute with Stephen, but were unable to withstand the wisdom and spirit with which he used to speak. Then they instigated some to say, "We have heard him speaking blasphemy against Moses and against God;" and in this way they excited the people. read more.
The elders and the scribes rushed upon him, and seized him, and brought him into the Sanhedrin. They also set up false witnesses who testified. "This fellow is continually talking against the Holy Place and against the law. "For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which were handed down to us by Moses." Then all who were sitting in the council at once fixed their eyes upon him, and saw his face like the face of an angel.

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near."

Bless your persecutors, bless, and curse not.

And the vine-dressers seized his slaves, flogged one, killed another, and stoned a third. Again he sent other slaves, a larger number than at first, and they treated them in the same way.

What shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall anguish, or calamity, or persecution, or famine? Shall nakedness, or peril, or sword?

But the Jews urged on the devout women of high rank, and the leading citizens, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of the district,

had many lashes inflicted upon them, and put them in prison, with a charge to the jailer to keep them safe.

For Herod had apprehended John, shackled him, and thrust him into prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because John kept telling him, "It is not right for you to have her." And although he wished to kill John, he feared the people, for they considered John a prophet. read more.
But when Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and so pleased Herod that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked for. So, prompted by her mother, the girl said, "Give me at once, upon a dish, the head of John the Baptist." The king was displeased because of this, but because of his oaths and his guests he ordered it to be given her. He sent and beheaded John in prison; the head was brought on a dish, and given to the young girl, who took it to her mother. Then John's disciples went and removed his body, and came and told Jesus.

"Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become??53 "you who received the law, given through angels, and obeyed it not."

and they apprehended the apostles, and threw them into the public prison.

Now, at about that time, Herod the king put forth his hands to ill-treat certain members of the church;

"And they will do these things because they have not known my Father, nor me.

And unto the angel of the Church in Smyrna, write. These are the words of the First and the Last, he who died and has returned to life. I know your persecution and your poverty??ut you are rich! I know the reviling of those who say that they themselves are Jews, when they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Fear not what you are about to suffer! Behold, the devil is indeed going to put some of you in prison, that you may be tested, and you will have persecution for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

And the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus too,

You know that our brother Timothy has been set free. If he comes soon, I will see him with you.

"I persecuted to the death this way, continually binding and delivering up to prisons both men and women.

With these words he fell asleep. And Saul fully approved of his murder. On this very day there broke out a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostle were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

Simon a Cyrenian, a passer-by, who was coming from the country (the father of Alexander and Rufus), they commandeered to carry the cross of Jesus.

I know where you dwell, where the throne of Satan is; and yet you are holding fast my name, and you have not denied my faith, even in the days of Antipas, my witness, my faithful one, who was slain among you, where Satan has his dwelling.

and beheaded James, the brother of John, with the sword.

I, John, who am your brother and who share with you in the woes and kingdom and stedfastness of Jesus, found myself in the island called Patmos, for the sake of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

"And not a hair on your head shall perish.

So they left Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been deemed worthy to suffer disgrace for the sake of the Name;

Then perceiving that half the Sanhedrin were Sadducees and the other half Pharisee, he cried out in the Sanhedrin. "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees! It is for the hope of the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial!"

"For you have it in your power to know that it is not more than twelve days ago that I went up to Jerusalem to worship; "and that neither in the Temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city, did they find me disputing with any man or stirring up a crowd. "Nor can they prove the charges which they are now bringing against me. read more.
"But this I confess to you, that I worship the God of our ancestors, according to the Way which they call a heresy, believing everything that is according to the Law, or is written in the Prophets, "and having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there is to be a resurrection both of the just and the unjust.

"Blessed are you when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my name's sake.

Fear not what you are about to suffer! Behold, the devil is indeed going to put some of you in prison, that you may be tested, and you will have persecution for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Then they will deliver you up to suffer affliction, and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake.

"But beware of men! For they will give you up to the Sanhedrin, and flog you in their synagogues.

"But before all these things happen, they will apprehend you and persecute you and deliver you to the synagogues and to prisons, and bring you before kings and governors for the sake of my name.

"Remember what I told you, 'A slave is not better than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you. If they have obeyed my word, they will obey yours also.

Then Herod and his soldiers set him at naught, and mocked him, and throwing about him a gorgeous robe, sent him back to Pilate.

and because of this the Jews began to persecute Jesus, because he had done it on the Sabbath.

they rose, hurried him outside the town, and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, intending to cast him down headlong.

After these things Jesus continued to travel about in Galilee, for he did not wish to go about in Judea, because the Jews kept trying to kill him.

"I know you are Abraham's descendants; but you are seeking to kill me, Because my teaching has no place in you.

"Blessed are you when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my name's sake.