53 Bible Verses about Persecution

And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

Happy are ye when men shall revile and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake.

I am come to send fire on the earth. And what do I desire? That it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to be baptized with: and how am I straitned till it be accomplished! Suppose ye that I am come to send peace upon earth? I tell you, Nay, but rather division. read more.
For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

Happy are ye when men shall revile and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake.

Happy are ye when men shall revile and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake.

And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil; the Lord will reward him according to his works.

And about that time, there arose no small tumult concerning the way. For a man named Demetrius, a silver smith, who made silver shrines of Diana, procured no small gain to the artificers: Whom having gathered together, with the workmen employed in such things, he said, Sirs, ye know, that our maintenance arises from this occupation. read more.
But ye see and hear, that not at Ephesus only, but almost through all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned aside much people, saying, That they are not gods, which are made with hands. So that there is danger, not only that this our craft should be set at nought, but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her majesty destroyed, whom all Asia, and the world worshipeth. And hearing this, they were filled with rage, and cried out, saying, The great Diana of the Ephesians. And the whole city was filled with confusion; and they rushed with one accord into the theatre, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's fellow-travellers. And when Paul would have gone in to the people, the disciples would not suffer him. And some also of the principal officers of Asia, being his friends, sent to him and desired, that he would not venture himself into the theatre. Some therefore cried one thing, and some another; for the assembly was confused, and the greater part did not know, for what they were come together. And they thrust Alexander forward from among the multitude, the Jews pushing him on; and Alexander, waving with his hand, would have made a defence to the people. But when they knew that he was a Jew, one voice arose from them all, crying out, for about two hours, The great Diana of the Ephesians. But the register, having pacified the people, said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there who knoweth not, that the city of the Ephesians is a worshiper of the great Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? Seeing then these things cannot be denied, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. For ye have brought these men, who are neither robbers of temples, nor blasphemers of your goddess. If then Demetrius and the artificers that are with him, have a charge against any one, the courts are held, and there are proconsuls; let them implead one another. But if ye inquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly. And indeed we are in danger to be questioned for sedition, concerning this day; there being no cause, whereby we can account for this concourse. And having said these things, he dismissed the assembly.

For we would not have you ignorant, brethren, of the trouble which befell us in Asia, that we were exceedingly pressed, above our strength, so that we despaired even of life.

But when the Jews of Thessalonica knew that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea also, they came thither likewise, and stirred up the multitude. Then the brethren sent away Paul immediately, to go as it were to the sea; but Silas and Timothy continued there. And they that conducted Paul, brought him as far as Athens, and having received an order to Silas and Timothy, to come to him with all speed, they departed.

Yea and all that are resolved to live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution.

For I think God hath set forth us the apostles last, as appointed to death; for we are made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake; but ye are wise in Christ: we are weak; but ye are strong: ye are honourable; but we are despised. Even to this present hour, we both hunger and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain abode, And labour, working with our own hands: read more.
being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and off-scouring of all things to this day.

And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith to him, Master, see what manner of stones, and what manner of buildings! And Jesus answering said to him, Seest thou these great buildings? There shall not be left one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down. And as he sat on the mount of Olives, over-against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, read more.
Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled? And Jesus answering said, Take heed lest any deceive you. For many will come in my name saying, I am Christ, and will deceive many. But when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be not troubled; for it must be; but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginning of sorrows. But take heed to yourselves for they will deliver you to councils, and ye shall be beaten in synagogues, and shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them. And the gospel must first be published among all nations. But when they shall hale you and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak; for it is not yet that speak, but the Holy Ghost. Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son: and children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake; but he that endureth to the end, he shall be saved.

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men; for they will deliver you to the councils, and scourge you in their synagogues. And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the heathens. read more.
But when they deliver you, take no thought, how or what ye shall speak; for it shall be given you in that very hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the spirit of the Father who speaketh in you. But the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child; and children shall rise up against their parents, and kill them. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end, shall be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee to another; for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. The disciple is not above his teacher, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his teacher, and the servant as his lord.

And Jesus going out of the temple departed: and his disciples came to him, to shew him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said to them, See ye not all these things? Verily I say to you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, which shall not be thrown down. And as he sat on the mount of Olives, his disciples came to him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? read more.
And Jesus answering said, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am the Christ, and shall deceive many. And ye will hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled; for all these things must come to pass: but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines and pestilences and earthquakes in divers places: All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you to be afflicted, and shall kill you; and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and hate one another.

Fear none of those things which thou art about to suffer: behold the devil is about to cast some of you into prison that ye may be tried, and ye shall have affliction ten days: Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life.

Then shall they deliver you to be afflicted, and shall kill you; and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

But beware of men; for they will deliver you to the councils, and scourge you in their synagogues.

But before all these things they shall lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my names sake.

Remember the word that I said to you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you: if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

And finding a certain Jew name Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy with Priscilla his wife (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome) he went to them.

And Herod, having with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a splendid robe, sent him back to Pilate.

And therefore the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill him, because he had done these things on the sabbath.

And rising up, thrust him out of the city, and brought him to the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, to cast him down headlong.

After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill him.

yet ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.

Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust, that he will still deliver:

Persecutions, afflictions, which befel me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured; but the Lord delivered me out of all.

And when they heard it, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art the God who madest heaven and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: Who saidst by the mouth of thy servant David, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth set themselves in array, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against his Christ. read more.
For of a truth, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed,

But Saul still breathing threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, going to the high priest, Desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, he might bring both men and women bound to Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he drew near Damascus; and suddenly there shone about him a light from heaven. read more.
And falling to the earth, he heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. It is hard for thee, to kick against the goads.

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh away; and every one that beareth fruit, he purifieth it, that it may bear more fruit. Now ye are pure thro' the word which I have spoken to you. read more.
Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abide in the vine, so neither can ye, unless ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me and I in him, he beareth much fruit; but, separate from me, ye can do nothing. If any one abide not in me, he is cast out as a branch, and is withered: and they gather and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done for you. Hereby is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit: so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you. Abide ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. I have spoken these things to you, that my joy might remain in you, and your joy might be full. This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. No one hath greater love than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. I no longer call you servants, for the servant knoweth not what his lord doth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard from my Father, I have made known to you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and appointed you that ye may go and bear fruit, and your fruit may remain; that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. This I command you, that ye love one another. If the world hate you, ye know it hated me, before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love its own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said to you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you: if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do to you, for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they had not had sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. He that hateth me, hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no other did, they had not had sin: but now have they seen them, and yet hated both me and my Father. So that the word which is written in their law is fulfilled, They hated me without a cause.

The man departed and told the Jews, that it was Jesus who had made him whole. And therefore the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill him, because he had done these things on the sabbath. But Jesus answered them, My father worketh until now, and I work. read more.
Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only broke the sabbath, but also said, that God was his own Father, making himself equal with God.

But as I journeyed and drew near to Damascus, about noon suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. And I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said to me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.

And when they were gone back, behold an angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and continue there till I shall tell thee; for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

But when they persecute you in this city, flee to another; for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

Then the Pharisees went out, and took counsel against him, how they might kill him. And Jesus knowing it withdrew from thence; and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all.

I have fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? Let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we die.

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are more miserable than all men.

I John, your brother and companion in the affliction, and in the kingdom, and patience of Jesus, was in the island Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus.

And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold till the next day: for it was now evening. But many of them who had heard the word, believed. And the number of the men was about five thousand. And on the morrow were gathered together at Jerusalem their rulers, read more.
and elders, and scribes, And Annas the high-priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high-priest. And having set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? Then Peter filled with the Holy Ghost, said to them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we are examined this day, of the benefit done to the impotent man, by what means he is healed, Be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God hath raised from the dead, by him doth this man stand before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought by you builders, which is become the head of the corner. And there is salvation in no other; for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. And seeing the boldness of Peter and John, and understanding that they were illiterate and uneducated men, they marvelled, and took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. And beholding the man who had been healed, standing with them, they had nothing to say against it. But having ordered them to go out of the council, they conferred among themselves, saying, What shall we do to these men? For that indeed a signal miracle hath been wrought by them, is manifest to all that dwell at Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. Yet that it spread no farther among the people, let us severely threaten them, that they speak no more to any man in this name. And having called them, they charged them, Not to speak at all, nor teach in the name of Jesus.

were filled with zeal, And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them into the common prison. But an angel of the Lord opened the prison-doors, by night, and bringing them forth, said, Go, stand and speak in the temple the words of this life. read more.
And hearing this, they went into the temple early in the morning and taught. But the high priest being come, and they that were with him, called together the council, even the whole senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison, to have them brought, But when the officers came, they found them not in the prison; and returning they said, Truly we found the prison shut with all safety, and the keepers standing before the doors; but having opened them, we found no man within. When the high priest, and the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them, what this should be? Then came one and told them, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison, are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. Then the captain going with the officers brought them, not with violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. And having brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, Did not we strictly command you, Not to teach in this name? And lo, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and would bring the blood of this man upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answering said, We ought to obey God rather than man. The God of our fathers hath raised up Jesus, whom ye slew, hanging him on a tree. Him hath God exalted, a Prince and a Saviour with his right-hand, to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things, and also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. When they heard this, they gnashed their teeth, and took counsel to slay them. But a certain Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in honour by all the people, rising up in the council, ordered, to put the apostles out a little space: And said to them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves, what ye are about to do, touching these men. For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody, to whom was joined a number of men, about four hundred, who was slain, and all who hearkened to him were scattered and came to nothing. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee, in the days of the inrolment, and drew away much people after him; he also perished, and all who had hearkened to him were dispersed. And now I say to you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone; for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought. But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it, and take heed lest ye be found even fighting against God. And to him they agreed. And having called the apostles, and scourged them, they charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ daily, in the temple, and from house to house.

About that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to afflict a certain of the church. And he slew James, the brother of John, with the sword. And perceiving it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to take Peter also. read more.
(Then were the days of unleavened bread.) Whom having apprehended, he put in prison, delivering him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him forth to the people after the passover. So Peter was kept in the prison; but continual prayer was made to God by the church for him. And when Herod was about to bring him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood over him, and light shined in the house: and smiting Peter on the side he waked him, saying, Rise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said to him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals; and he did so. And he saith to him, Throw thy garment about thee, and follow me. And going out, he followed him. And he knew not, that it was real which was done by the angel, but thought he saw a vision. When they had passed the first and the second ward, they came to the iron gate that leadeth to the city, which opened to them of its own accord: and going out, they went on through one street; and immediately the angel departed from him. And Peter coming to himself, said, Now I know of a truth, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. And having considered, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John surnamed Mark, where many were gathered together praying. And as he knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. And knowing Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for joy, but running in, told them, that Peter stood before the gate. And they said to her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed, it was so. Then they said, It is his angel. But Peter continued knocking. And opening the door, they saw him and were astonished. But he beckoning to them with his hand, to be silent, declared to them, How the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Shew these things to James and to the brethren. And going out, he went to another place. Now when it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, What was become of Peter? And Herod having sought for him, and not found him, examined the guard, and commanded them to be put to death. And going down from Judea to Cesarea, he abode there.

But before all these things they shall lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my names sake.

Remember the word that I said to you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you: if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

But he shall receive an hundred fold now in this time, houses and brethren and sisters and mothers and children and lands with persecutions, and in the world to come eternal life.

Now they who had been scattered abroad by the distress which arose about Stephen, travelled as far as Phenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching to none but Jews only. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who coming into Antioch, spake to the Greeks, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them; and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.

And at that time there was a great persecution against the church, which was in Jerusalem. And they were all scattered abroad through the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Therefore they that were scattered abroad, went every where, preaching the word.

Now I would have you know, brethren, that the things concerning me have fallen out rather to the furtherance of the gospel: So that my bonds in Christ have been made manifest in the whole palace, and to all others: And many of the brethren trusting in the Lord through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word without fear.

persecuting the church, touching the righteousness, which is by the law, blameless.

having put me into the ministry, Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecuter, and a reviler; but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

And therefore the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill him, because he had done these things on the sabbath.

Who both killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us: and they please not God, and are contrary to all men.

Seeing it is a righteous thing with God, to recompence affliction to them that afflict you.

Happy are they who are persecuted for righteousness sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Happy are ye when men shall revile and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you.

Happy are ye when men shall hate you, and shall separate you from their company, and shall revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy; for behold your reward is great in heaven; for in like manner did their fathers to the prophets.

And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and shall make merry, and send gifts to one another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt upon the earth.

Rejoice and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you.

rejoice, that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may likewise rejoice with exceeding great joy.

That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of Abel the righteous, to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

Not as Cain, who was of the wicked one, and slew his brother.

And falling to the earth, he heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. It is hard for thee, to kick against the goads.

But the Jews stirred up the devout, honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.

I indeed thought myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth: Which also I did in Jerusalem: and having received authority from the chief priests, I shut up many of the saints in prisons, and when they were killed, I gave my vote against them. And frequently punishing them in all the synagogues, I compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

And at that time there was a great persecution against the church, which was in Jerusalem. And they were all scattered abroad through the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

For ye have heard of my behaviour in time past in the Jewish religion, that above measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it.

But Saul still breathing threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, going to the high priest, Desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, he might bring both men and women bound to Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he drew near Damascus; and suddenly there shone about him a light from heaven. read more.
And falling to the earth, he heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. It is hard for thee, to kick against the goads. And he trembling and astonished, said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said to him, Arise and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the men that journeyed with him stood astonished, hearing a noise, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and his eyes being opened, he saw no man; but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias. And the Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold I am here, Lord. And the Lord said to him, Arise, go into the street called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas, for one named Saul of Tarsus; for behold, he is praying. And he hath seen in a vision a man, named Ananias, coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he may recover his sight. But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem. And here also he hath authority from the chief priests, to bind all that call on thy name.

Happy are ye when men shall hate you, and shall separate you from their company, and shall revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.

Happy are they who are persecuted for righteousness sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

but now have they seen them, and yet hated both me and my Father.

Remember the word that I said to you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you: if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

And therefore the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill him, because he had done these things on the sabbath.

That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of Abel the righteous, to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for all men have not faith.

being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:

The same day, the first day of the week, at evening, the doors being shut, where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and saith to them, Peace be unto you.

They answered and said to him, Thou-wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.

He is of age: ask him; he will speak concerning himself. His parents said this, because they feared the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed, That if any man should own him to be Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.

perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; thrown down, but not destroyed;

Hear another parable. There was a certain housholder, who planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a wine-press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. And when the season of fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, to receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen taking his servants, beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. read more.
Again he sent other servants more than the first; and they did to them likewise. Last of all he sent to them his Son, saying, They will reverence my Son. But the husbandmen seeing the Son, said among themselves, This is the heir; come let us kill him and seize on his inheritance. And taking him, they cast him out of the vineyard and slew him.

Yea and all that are resolved to live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution.

But if I, brethren, preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution?

As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, these constrain you to be circumcised: only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

But as then, he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, so it is now also.

And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment.

Yet hath he not root in himself, and so endureth but for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, straight-way he is offended.

Then said Jesus to him, Put up again thy sword into its place; for all they that take the sword, shall perish by the sword.

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you:

Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God, commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

Yet if any suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

But there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called that of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake. Then they suborned men who said, We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and against God. read more.
And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and coming upon him, dragged him away, and brought him to the council, And set up false witnesses who said, This man ceaseth not to speak words against the holy place and the law. For we have heard him say, That Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and change the rites which Moses delivered us. And all that were sitting in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face, as the face of an angel.

From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

bless and curse not.

And the husbandmen taking his servants, beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants more than the first; and they did to them likewise.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall affliction, or distress, or persecution, or hunger, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

But the Jews stirred up the devout, honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.

And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:

For Herod had apprehended John, and bound him and put him in prison, for Herodias sake, his brother Philip's wife. For John had said to him, It is not lawful for thee to have her. And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they accounted him a prophet. read more.
But when Herod's birth-day was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. Whereupon he promised with an oath, to give her whatever she should ask. And being before instructed by her mother, she said, Give me here John the Baptist's head in a charger. And the king was sorry; yet for the oath's sake, and them who sat with him at table, he commanded it to be given her. And he sent and beheaded John in the prison. And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel, and she carried it to her mother. And his disciples came and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And they have slain them that shewed before of the coming of the Just One, of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: Who have received the law by the administration of angels,

were filled with zeal, And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them into the common prison.

About that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to afflict a certain of the church.

These things will they do, because they have not known the Father nor me.

And to the angel of the church of Smyrna write, These things saith the First and the Last, who was dead and is alive. I know thy affliction and poverty, (but thou art rich) and the reviling of those who say they are Jews and are not, but a synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou art about to suffer: behold the devil is about to cast some of you into prison that ye may be tried, and ye shall have affliction ten days: Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life.

But the chief priests consulted, how to kill Lazarus also.

Know that our brother Timotheus is set at liberty, with whom, if he come soon, I will see you.

And I persecuted this way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women: As likewise the high priest is my witness, and all the estate of the elders:

And at that time there was a great persecution against the church, which was in Jerusalem. And they were all scattered abroad through the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who was passing by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.

I know where thou dwellest, where the throne of Satan is; and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, in the days wherein Antipas, my faithful witness was, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

And he slew James, the brother of John, with the sword.

I John, your brother and companion in the affliction, and in the kingdom, and patience of Jesus, was in the island Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus.

But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

But Paul perceiving, that the one part were Saducees, and the other Pharisees, cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; for the hope of the resurrection of the dead am I called in question.

As thou mayst know, that it is but twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem. And they neither found me disputing with any man in the temple, nor making an insurrection among the people, either in the synagogues or in the city. Nor can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. But this I confess unto thee, read more.
that after the way, which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: Having hope in God, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and of the unjust, which they themselves also expect.

Happy are ye when men shall revile and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake.

Fear none of those things which thou art about to suffer: behold the devil is about to cast some of you into prison that ye may be tried, and ye shall have affliction ten days: Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life.

Then shall they deliver you to be afflicted, and shall kill you; and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

But beware of men; for they will deliver you to the councils, and scourge you in their synagogues.

But before all these things they shall lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my names sake.

Remember the word that I said to you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you: if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

And Herod, having with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a splendid robe, sent him back to Pilate.

And therefore the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill him, because he had done these things on the sabbath.

And rising up, thrust him out of the city, and brought him to the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, to cast him down headlong.

After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill him.

yet ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.

Happy are ye when men shall revile and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake.